Hey loves,
So, this blog is mainly for our girls, whether you're fresh on the scene or have been in the game for a while, this one’s for my girls who still haven’t quite sorted their business affairs yet. No shame—we’ve all been there. But as we roll into the final quarter of the financial year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, regroup, and get our businesses tight.
Now, I know—talking about tax and finances isn’t exactly a thrill ride (hello, endless reconciliation ?). But let’s be real: in our industry, it's a convo that doesn't happen nearly enough. Especially for the touring girls—between flights, hotels, and other expenses, understanding your finances is crucial. And knowing what’s actually deductible? Game-changer.
The first piece of advice I’d give to anyone is: Get a great accountant who understands our line of work. I’m not shy about giving a shout-out to my own accountant – I cannot rave enough about him and his team at Red Fox Accounting. They’ve been an absolute lifesaver. Honestly, that first meeting where we discussed setting up my business, figuring out what’s claimable, and what isn’t, has been critical in guiding my business decisions. And can you believe it? My business has been running for 2.5 years now – that’s two tax returns I’ve completed in this line of work. Time flies!
If you're in need of a good accountant and you're in Australia, you can also check out Scarlet Blue's list of sex work-friendly accountants.
If hiring an accountant isn’t an option yet, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the basics. But please note – I’m not an accountant, so I’m not giving official advice here. I’m simply sharing some important steps. First up, you need an ABN (Australian Business Number). If you don’t have one yet, now is the time to set it up. Ideally, this should be done before you start in the industry, but if you’re reading this and haven’t done it yet – don’t wait! When applying for your ABN, you'll need to pick an industry category that best matches your work. But honestly, this part doesn’t matter that much – your accountant can always change it later when you’re ready to work with one. What matters is how you claim tax deductions.
Next on the list: have a business account set up, linked to your ABN. I personally recommend choosing a bank that allows cash deposits. The source of your income doesn’t matter – what counts is that you’re claiming it as business income and paying tax on it.
Now, let’s talk about the risks of NOT claiming your income. It might seem tempting, but here’s the reality:
As mentioned earlier, what you can claim as a tax deduction depends on the category your ABN is set up under. But be careful – if you’re mis-claiming things, you could end up with a massive ATO debt. If you’re ever uncertain about what you can claim, don’t hesitate to consult with an accountant.
Lastly, I know a lot of us deal with cash at various points in our career. But please, listen to this warning: Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home, in your car, or on you. It’s risky, and there’s always the chance that it could be stolen. If you do have cash, keep it secure and be discreet about how much you have or where it’s stored. Protect yourself and your money.
As a final bit of general advice – especially for those of us in this industry – it’s so important to learn how to work smarter, not harder. Tracking your shifts and earnings will help you figure out which shifts and days are most profitable for you. By doing this, you’ll reduce wasted time, which we can all agree is precious!
I also recommend looking at your hourly earnings over a monthly or yearly basis to assess whether it’s worth your effort. Don’t judge a shift by just one day or one week; look at the bigger picture.
There’s a super cool woman who created an app that tracks all of this for you, and I can’t rave about her or her Instagram enough. If you’re on the hunt for a game-changer, check out @Ruby_theapp3.0. Ruby’s a sex worker herself, and her app is absolutely amazing for managing your shifts and earnings.
Take care of your business, ladies, and make sure your financial house is in order. Running a business isn't always fun, but it’s necessary to make sure you're setting yourself up for long-term success.
With Love & Spreadsheets, Barbie xX
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“Great blog! As a newbie, the information about the ATO is especially helpful!”
“is it good to understand all the legal Document about the tax very important”
“This is such a good guide to show girls where to start getting their shit together lol, and also so clear that is shows doing taxes isn’t that hard or scary. I remember when I first started sex work and earning decent money thinking I was going to pay millions in taxes, this is where the good accountant helped me learn how much of my income to put away per week to make sure when taxes come it’s already there and waiting. I’ve been doing this 5years now and it works. I’m definitely going to try the @Ruby_theapp3.0. I would like to learn about the pattern of my earnings it can be really helpful. Thank you for the tips x”
“This is so helpful, thanks Barbie!! I was actually after a sex-worker positive accountant, the timing of this blog couldn’t have been better! Thanks for looking out for the other girls xx”
“I loved this blog because of all the great advice you have fit into this article. We all need a reminder and we all start somewhere so this information can be extremely useful to any new girls or the girls that left for a couple years and are now back. : )”
“Grateful you’ve shared this! ”
“Thanks Barbie, and yes, I have been looking for a new accountant, so I will be reaching out to yours. I want to add: It is hard in this industry to financially prepare for your future due to all the variants. We never know what our income will be from month to month, whether we will need time off due to an unforeseen circumstance, or receive a large bill during a quiet period at work. For these reasons, I believe that it's imperative to have personal savings put aside to cover you for up to 6 weeks (this is my chosen time length; it's individual). This amount needs to be calculated by adding up all expenses during this time, plus I include an additional 20% for incidentals, and you don't spend these $'s once you've saved them, they are your emergency funds only to be brought out during times of real need. By doing this, you'll be more relaxed. Living week to week isn't an option in our industry because circumstances can change so quickly, and if you're not prepared, it can turn really bad, really fast, so protect yourself. We are blessed to be strong enough to endure this industry, as it's no easy task. We are rewarded financially for our efforts, but we need to be smart with our money and think about our futures, and work towards long-term goals.”
“I loved this blog. it's super clear and essential. You address a topic that almost no one touches on, but that we all need to understand. You explain everything honestly, practically, and without judgment. It's truly empowering content that helps us to run this businesses safely and professionally. Thanks for sharing Barbie❤️?”
“This is super helpful! Thank you for putting this together in an easy to read way!”
“I’ll definitely apply these tips to level up my own business structure. Thank you for sharing such practical insights.”
“This is very useful information for all working girls. It can be quite confusing and overwhelming when it comes to taxes and a good accountant is extremely helpful! ”
“Great read! I love how clearly you’ve broken down the steps for getting business affairs in order—it feels practical and motivating. Really helpful guide!”
“Practical, sassy, and supportive—this blog gives sex workers the confidence and tools to get their finances boss-level organized. ”
“This blog serves as a valuable and informative resource for women in the industry. Barbie's genuine approach, combined with practical insights, makes the subject of finance more accessible. The content addresses important topics, ranging from Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) to safety considerations, ensuring that each point is relevant and impactful. This blog is highly recommended for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding and take charge of their business and future. ”
“Great article, a lot of great informations ! Thanks Barbie ”
“Love this, Barbie! Such practical advice that too many girls overlook. Getting the business side sorted really does make life so much easier (and way less stressful come tax time). Thanks for breaking it down so clearly for all the gorgeous ladies, men, and everyone in between, in this industry!”
“Super. Thanks for the list. You have covered almost al major points here”
“Great guide! You explained it very beautifully. Thanks for sharing.”
“Getting started with finance and shift tracking is the hardest thing to do when you first start but necessary for the long run of looking at how you work and where you can best optimise and improve your business ??this article is excellent Barbie Best recommendation I got about this topic is an accounting app for contractors. I use Hnry these days to calculate my tax and earnings and it's been a massive help for claiming items like photoshoots, clothes, and condoms etc on tax”
“The blog was exceptionally well written and incredibly valuable for girls currently working or planning to enter the workforce. It provided clear and effective guidance on managing finances. Thank you, Barbie, for an outstanding blog!”
“It was very well written and very helpful for the girls who are working and are planning to start. It also explained very well how to manage your finances. Thanks Barbie, for the lovely blog. ”
“Thanks for writing this blog post Barbie, it really highlights the importance of properly handling your finances. As someone who has been audited before in this line of work, the ATO seriously don’t mess around and it is a lot of work and a lot of stress if/when you do. Since being audited, I am so much more organised and on top of things as I was sooo blaze prior. Thank you for sharing that app as well, I will definitely have a look into that too! You’re a legend.”
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