Side hustlers urged to register for Self Assessment

HMRC is encouraging anyone with income outside of their regular employment to check if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year.

Anyone with additional income streams – such as from online selling, content creation, dog walking or property rental – is being urged to make sure they understand their tax obligations.

Those earning more than the £1,000 threshold from another income source will need to register for Self Assessment and complete a tax return and pay any tax owed before 31st January 2026. This includes gains or income received from cryptoassets.

According to insight commissioned by HMRC and published in 2023, one in 10 people in the UK are operating in the hidden economy with 65% of these individuals most likely operating side hustles and largely unaware that they should be registered for tax.

Easy-to-use guides for side hustlers can be found at the ?Tax Help for Hustles campaign page on GOV.UK, while a checker tool is also available to establish whether or not a tax return is necessary.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“Whether you are selling handmade crafts online, creating digital content, or renting out property, understanding your tax obligations is essential. If you earn more than £1,000 from these activities, you may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.

“Filing early puts you in control – you will know exactly what you owe, can plan your payments, and avoid the stress of the January rush. You don’t need to pay immediately when you file – you have until 31 January to settle your tax bill.“

The deadline to submit a Self Assessment tax return online and pay any tax owed for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 31 January 2026.

Early preparation is particularly important for sole traders or landlords with a qualifying income over £50,000, as they will also need to get ready to start using Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from April 2026. This will require digital record-keeping and quarterly updates using compatible software.