Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Ukraine Weighs Taxing Pornography to Help Fund War
Ukraine is considering changing its rules about adult content.
Right now, making, sharing or possessing pornography can be a crime.
At the same time, creators may still be expected to report their income and pay taxes.
Lawmakers say this creates a confusing situation for creators.
They also say police have allegedly demanded money from some studios by threatening prosecution.
A proposed law would bring the industry into the formal tax system.
Supporters estimate it could raise about $25 million each year for Ukraine.
They say some of that money could help buy military drones.
The bill has passed one vote in parliament but still needs another.
A Ukrainian bill would decriminalise pornography production, distribution and possession while taxing the industry.
Supporters estimate standard business taxes could raise about $25 million annually.
About 7,900 Ukrainian creators earned more than $131 million through OnlyFans in 2023.
Supporters say the revenue could help fund around 30,000 military drones.
The bill passed its first parliamentary reading and awaits a second vote.
- Who
- Ukrainian lawmakers, adult-content creators, tax authorities and law-enforcement agencies are involved; opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak co-authored the bill.
- What
- Ukraine's parliament is considering decriminalising pornography and taxing income from the adult-content industry.
- When
- The bill has passed its first reading and is awaiting a second reading.
- Where
- Ukraine, including the Verkhovna Rada and adult-content businesses operating inside and outside the country.
- Why
- Supporters want to resolve conflicting tax and criminal laws, reduce alleged police extortion and raise domestic revenue for the war effort.
Supporters of decriminalisation
Concerns and existing-law proponents
Tax revenue
Supporters of decriminalisation
Supporters say formalising the industry could raise about $25 million annually and provide domestic funds for Ukraine's war effort.
Concerns and existing-law proponents
The reported estimate is small compared with Ukraine's overall defence needs, which run into tens of billions of dollars.
Law and enforcement
Supporters of decriminalisation
Supporters say decriminalisation would resolve the conflict between tax obligations and criminal pornography laws, while reducing opportunities for alleged police extortion.
Concerns and existing-law proponents
Under the current system, producing, distributing or possessing pornography remains a criminal offence, and creators who disclose their income may expose themselves to prosecution.
Industry location
Supporters of decriminalisation
Supporters say formalisation could keep tax revenue in Ukraine and bring an existing industry into the legal economy.
Concerns and existing-law proponents
Some creators operate abroad, including in rented locations in France, Spain and Georgia, meaning income and related taxes may go to other countries.
- Estimated annual tax revenue
- About $25 million under standard business taxation, according to supporters.
- Potential military use
- Supporters estimate the revenue could fund around 30,000 military drones.
- OnlyFans creators
- About 7,900 Ukrainian creators earned more than $131 million through OnlyFans in 2023.
- Current legal status
- Production, distribution and possession of pornography are criminal offences under Ukraine's existing system.
- Alleged protection payments
- Prosecutors said police departments in three regions collected more than $20,000 per month from local studios.
- Petition support
- A petition led by creator Svitlana Dvornikova attracted more than 25,000 signatures within days.
- Parliamentary status
- The bill has cleared its first reading and awaits a second vote.
