Side income and tax: what to set aside

5 chapters·16 min·action plan·mastery check

Chapter 1 of 5

The idea

The worst part of a good side-hustle year is the tax bill you didn't plan for.

Why it catches people out

Your main job usually takes tax automatically. Side income usually doesn't — you report it yourself and pay later, often in one lump. Because it sits on top of your salary, it can be taxed at your highest rate, plus any social security or national insurance.

Predict first

You're a basic-rate employee and make $6,000 profit from a side hustle. Roughly what should you set aside for tax and national insurance (UK)?

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