Side Hustle Tax UK 2025
Complete HMRC rules for side hustle income in the 2025/26 tax year. Learn about the £1,000 trading allowance, when to register for Self Assessment, and what you can claim.
What Counts as a Side Hustle for HMRC?
A side hustle is any activity you undertake to earn money outside your main employment. HMRC classifies this income as either trading income (selling goods or services) or miscellaneous income. Common examples include:
- Selling handmade goods on Etsy or eBay
- Food delivery (Deliveroo, Just Eat)
- Ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt)
- Renting out a room or property on Airbnb
- Freelance writing, design, or coding
- Tutoring or coaching
- Dog walking or pet sitting
- Social media content creation and influencing
- Reselling items (flipping)
Selling personal possessions at a loss or occasionally selling unwanted items is generally not considered trading and is not taxable. If you are regularly buying goods to resell for profit, HMRC considers this trading and it must be declared.
The £1,000 Trading Allowance
The Trading Allowance was introduced in April 2017. It covers trading income and property income (as a separate £1,000 property allowance). The two allowances are separate — you can benefit from both if you have both types of income.
If your side hustle income exceeds £1,000, you have two choices when calculating your taxable profit:
- Use the Trading Allowance: Deduct £1,000 from your gross income. Simple but may not be best if actual expenses are higher.
- Claim actual expenses: Deduct all allowable business expenses from gross income. Better if your expenses exceed £1,000.
You cannot use both methods — choose the one that gives the lowest taxable profit.
Side Hustle Tax Calculator 2025/26
Side Hustle Tax Estimator
Calculate tax owed on your side hustle income alongside your main employment.
HMRC Data Matching: What Platforms Report
Since January 2024, a new set of HMRC regulations requires digital platforms to collect and report seller income data. Platforms affected include:
| Platform | Type of Income | Data Reported to HMRC |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | Selling goods | Annual seller income and transactions |
| Etsy | Handmade/craft sales | Annual seller income |
| Vinted | Second-hand clothing | Income above £1,000/year |
| Airbnb | Short-term rental | Annual host income |
| Deliveroo | Food delivery | Annual rider earnings |
| Fiverr / Upwork | Freelance services | Annual freelancer income |
| Uber | Ride-hailing | Annual driver earnings |
HMRC cross-references platform data against Self Assessment returns. If they see income on a platform that was not declared, they may send a nudge letter or open a compliance enquiry. It is far better to declare income proactively than wait for HMRC to make contact.
What Expenses Can You Claim?
When your side hustle income exceeds £1,000 and you choose to deduct actual expenses, you can claim costs that are wholly and exclusively for your side hustle. Allowable expenses include:
- Materials and stock: Raw materials, components, items purchased for resale
- Postage and packaging: Boxes, envelopes, stamps, courier costs
- Platform fees: eBay, Etsy, Amazon selling fees and subscriptions
- Advertising: Sponsored listings, social media ads, website costs
- Equipment: Camera, computer, tools — capital allowances may apply for large items
- Mileage: 45p per mile for first 10,000 miles, 25p per mile above
- Home office: A proportion of heating, electricity, and broadband if working from home
- Professional subscriptions: Software, accounting tools, relevant memberships
- Phone: Business proportion of your phone bill
National Insurance for Side Hustles
If your self-employed profits exceed £12,570 per year, you pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance:
- Class 2: £3.45 per week (£179.40/year) if profits are £12,570 or above
- Class 4: 9% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270
- Class 4: 2% on profits above £50,270
If your employment salary already exceeds £50,270, your side hustle NI will be at the reduced 2% Class 4 rate across all self-employed profits, as you have already reached the Upper Earnings Limit through your PAYE job.
Real-World Side Hustle Examples
Etsy Seller
Income: £8,000/year from selling jewellery
Materials: £2,500
Platform fees: £600
Postage: £400
Taxable profit: £4,500
Tax (20%): £900 (assuming basic rate)
Class 4 NI: £0 (below £12,570 threshold)
Uber Driver
Income: £18,000/year
Mileage (10,000 miles): £4,500
Phone/insurance: £800
Taxable profit: £12,700
Class 4 NI (9%): £11.70
Income tax: depends on total income
Airbnb Host
Room rental income: £7,200/year
Property Allowance: £1,000
Taxable income: £6,200
Rent-a-Room relief alternative: £7,500 exempt if letting furnished room in own home
Use whichever is more beneficial.
VAT Registration for Side Hustles
Most side hustles will never reach the VAT registration threshold. For 2025/26, the threshold is £90,000 of taxable turnover in any rolling 12-month period. If your side hustle is growing quickly, keep a close eye on your cumulative turnover. Once you exceed £90,000, you must register for VAT within 30 days.
Voluntary registration is possible below the threshold if it benefits you (for example, to reclaim VAT on purchases).
Limited Company vs Sole Trader for Side Hustles
Most side hustles start as sole traderships — the simplest structure. As income grows, you may consider incorporating as a limited company. Key considerations:
| Sole Trader | Limited Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Register with HMRC | Register with Companies House |
| Tax on profits | Income tax (20–45%) | Corporation Tax (19–25%) |
| NI | Class 2 + Class 4 | Employer + employee NI on salary |
| Accounts | Simple | Annual accounts required |
| Beneficial at profit of | Under ~£30,000/year | Over ~£30,000–50,000/year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay tax on a side hustle in the UK?
If your side hustle income is £1,000 or less in a tax year, the Trading Allowance means you owe no tax and do not need to register for Self Assessment. If you earn more than £1,000 from self-employment activities, you must register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year and file a Self Assessment return.
What is the Trading Allowance?
The Trading Allowance is £1,000 per tax year. If your total self-employment or trading income before expenses is £1,000 or less, you pay no tax and do not need to tell HMRC. If income exceeds £1,000, you can still use the allowance as a £1,000 deduction instead of claiming actual expenses — useful when real expenses are less than £1,000.
Does HMRC know about my eBay or Etsy income?
Yes. Since January 2024, online platforms including eBay, Etsy, Vinted, Airbnb, Fiverr, and Upwork are legally required to collect and report seller income data to HMRC annually. HMRC can cross-reference this against your tax records. Selling personal possessions is generally not taxable — only trading activity counts.
When do I need to register for VAT as a side hustle?
You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. For most side hustles, this is a very high bar. If you approach £90,000 turnover, register within 30 days of exceeding it. You can also register voluntarily below the threshold.
What expenses can I claim against my side hustle income?
You can claim expenses that are wholly and exclusively for your business: materials and stock, postage and packaging, marketplace fees, advertising, equipment, mileage at 45p/mile (first 10,000 miles), a proportion of home office costs, phone costs, and professional subscriptions. You cannot claim personal expenses or costs with a dual purpose unless you can identify the business proportion.
What is an HMRC nudge letter?
An HMRC nudge letter is a letter HMRC sends when their data — from platforms or third parties — suggests you may have undeclared income. It is not a formal investigation, but it is a clear signal that HMRC has data about your activities. If you receive one, review your income records and file or amend your Self Assessment return. Responding proactively almost always results in lower penalties than waiting for HMRC to open a formal enquiry.