Katherine Studley Dreams of Chaos
On why sex work is real work and how sex workers should file taxes.
Dreams of Chaos is a series of Q&As with folks who are engaging with chaos in their work. Sometimes that means they love the chaos and use it as an engine for creativity. Sometimes it means they struggle with the chaos and are trying to harness it in whatever way they can. I’m interested in the ways in which we, as people, acknowledge the messiness of living in the world. And I’m excited to share conversations with those are thinking about this as well.
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Katherine Studley is a tax accountant and content creator from Buffalo, NY who works with content creators to shape their own uncommon, independent career paths. Specifically, her work focuses on content creators on OnlyFans, a subscription-based social media platform that has “put X-rated entertainment in the hands of its entertainers,” according to a 2019 New York Times article.
In mid-2020, Studley had a revelation: OnlyFans creators would be the first sex workers to earn taxable income instead of untraceable cash. These were folks who had the power to write off things like outfits, makeup, and dancing poles — not to mention travel and per diem expenses. These were also, however, almost certainly people who wouldn’t be walking into an H&R Block with their 1099s anytime soon.
OnlyFans dancers needed her help, and she was ready for it.
Over the last two years, Studley has gone from working in a dull government office to working with hundreds of clients to safely navigate the tax process as new entrepreneurs. As The Only Consultant®, she creates content to get tax info to those who need it, has created downloadable business and tax prep courses, and offers consultations to those who are still figuring out how to be entrepreneurs. She also founded a tax firm, Prisma Tax Group, to offer tax preparation, bookkeeping, business formation, and all things related to support small businesses.
Studley is passionate about rethinking societal norms, especially when it comes to choosing joy. She’s also excited to uplift and empower those who are doing things differently. This conversation was fascinating — not only because this is a world I don’t know much about, but because Kat’s energy is infectious and powerful. She has a zeal for life that’s inspiring. She’s not interested in choosing a pre-ordained path or accepting things just are the way they are. Or, in her words, “I want to push the envelope of what's socially acceptable [... ] I think it's fun. [It’s] for the greater good.”
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