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AIBU?

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To resent paying so much tax on side hustle earnings?

311 replies

Powfred · 12/10/2023 22:41

I earn around 50k in my main job and pay all the relevant taxes through paye etc.

A few years ago I had a decent disposable income but with childcare, mortgage rises fuel etc it has gone down a lot. I do have a DP who shares these costs but they earn less and have also felt squeezed financially.

At the start of the year I began a side hustle as a hobby to generate some extra income. I figured if it did well I'd have some extra money for treats and days out etc. Not going to give details of side hustle in case outing.

Side hustle is gaining momentum and could potentially generate a few hundred a month soon. However, I've read that once you earn more than £1,000 per year from a hobby/ side hustle, you then have to declare and register earnings for tax. Given my main job salary, this would mean anything I earn from side hustle would be in a high tax bracket.

So (if I've understood correctly - happy to be corrected if not), if it does well then I'll have to pay 40% of what I earn from it in tax.

AIBU to resent this? I've tried to be entrepreneurial to generate more cash when main jobs aren't giving us as much disposable income as before but it just seems pointless if half of the income just goes to taxman.

OP posts:
Powfred · 12/10/2023 22:54

DrJump · 12/10/2023 22:49

It's income. That's how tax works.

If you make more money you pay more tax.

Be upset about it but tax pays for stuff for schools, NHS, etc

No issue with main job income tax but surely small fry side hustles could be reviewed? I bet lots of people do similar to help get more money. We're in a cost of living crisis, system should be more flexible

OP posts:
venusandmars · 12/10/2023 22:53

It would be the same level of tax if you worked more hours as overtime in you main job.

androidnotapple · 12/10/2023 22:51

A side hustle that makes money is self employment so of course it's taxed. If you've used up your tax free allowance on your main job you don't get another.

Powfred · 12/10/2023 22:51

NeedingCoffee · 12/10/2023 22:48

Lots of options here OP; a half decent accountant will make sure you keep much more than 60%

It so small at mo doesn't feel like it warrants an accountant yet but maybe I need some advice

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 12/10/2023 22:50

Have you looked into matched betting?
You don't pay any taxes on income from this.

Powfred · 12/10/2023 22:49

buckingmad · 12/10/2023 22:45

Correct. Or you can deduct your costs so you’re only paying income tax on the profits. Depends on your level of costs.

I will have around £150 of yearly costs I could deduct. So if I made a profit of £2,000 - £150 = £1,850 - would tax man take 40% of 1850 or just the 850? Wasn't sure if that first £1000 was tax free

It just puts me off trying to build it more. Was supposed to be to help family out.

OP posts:
DrJump · 12/10/2023 22:49

It's income. That's how tax works.

If you make more money you pay more tax.

Be upset about it but tax pays for stuff for schools, NHS, etc

NeedingCoffee · 12/10/2023 22:48

Lots of options here OP; a half decent accountant will make sure you keep much more than 60%

buckingmad · 12/10/2023 22:45

Correct. Or you can deduct your costs so you’re only paying income tax on the profits. Depends on your level of costs.

Powfred · 12/10/2023 22:45

I don't resent taxes in main job. I've paid taxes all my life but if it's a side gig or hobby to earn some extra cash then why should that be taxed to the max as well? Side hustle already involves paying VAT

OP posts:
Glarptip · 12/10/2023 22:42

No problem. You can resent paying tax if you like.

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