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Quick answer: a side hustle is any way of earning extra money alongside your main job or responsibilities, like selling crafts, pet sitting, tutoring, transcription or freelance work. The best side hustle for you is one that uses a skill you already have and fits the hours you really have free. In the UK, if your side hustle income is £1,000 or less in a tax year, you usually don’t need to tell HMRC, thanks to the trading allowance. Over that, you’ll usually need to register for Self Assessment.
“What is a side hustle” is one of the most-searched money questions in the UK right now, and “side hustle 2026” has shot up too. So here’s the honest version: what a side hustle actually is, realistic ideas, and the tax rules so HMRC doesn’t surprise you in January. No “make £5,000 a month” promises. Most side hustles bring in a modest but useful extra.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is work you do on top of your main job (or around childcare, studying or caring) to earn extra money. It might be a few hours a month or a growing small business. What makes it a “side hustle” rather than a job is that it’s usually flexible, self-employed and something you choose to do.
It’s different from selling your own unwanted things. Clearing out your wardrobe on Vinted isn’t usually a side hustle in tax terms. Buying things to sell on for profit, or making things to sell, usually is.
How to choose the right side hustle
- Start with what you already know. Typing, teaching, organising, crafts, pets, writing. Skills you have are the quickest route to earning.
- Be honest about your time. Three hours a week is fine. Pick something that fits it.
- Check the start-up costs. The best side hustles cost little to start.
- Avoid anything that asks you to pay to join, recruit friends or buy stock upfront. Those are red flags.
Online and from your sofa
1. Selling your own clutter on Vinted or eBay
The easiest start. Clearing out your own clothes and bits is usually not taxable, because it’s not trading. See my guides to selling on Vinted and Vinted tax.
2. Transcription
Typing up audio for businesses and researchers. Flexible, but the pay per hour can be low while you build speed. My transcription jobs guide covers where to start.
3. User testing
Websites and apps pay you to try them and say what you think, usually short tests done from home. Great for small, occasional extra cash.
4. Paid surveys and cashback apps
Small amounts, not a real income, but easy to fit into dead time. Cashback on things you already buy is the better value. See my best cashback sites.
5. Freelance writing
Blog posts, product descriptions and newsletters for small businesses. You need samples, so start with a simple portfolio.
6. Virtual assistant work
Admin, inbox and social media help for small businesses. Pinterest management is a popular niche. See my Pinterest VA guide.
Making and creating
7. Selling crafts or printables on Etsy
Handmade items, digital planners and printables. Read up on Etsy fees and tax first so you price properly.
8. Self-publishing (Amazon KDP)
Low-content books like planners and journals, or your own writing. It takes time to build, and it’s not quick money. Books on self-publishing (ad)
9. UGC (user-generated content)
Brands pay creators to make short videos and photos for their ads, without needing a big following. You need a few sample videos and a simple portfolio.
10. Blogging and Pinterest
A long game, but it can grow. I’ve written about making money from Pinterest.
Local and in-person
11. Pet sitting and dog walking
Steady local demand, especially around holidays. Check your home insurance and consider pet-sitting insurance.
12. Tutoring
Maths, English and music are always in demand, online or in person. You may need a DBS check for work with children.
13. Cleaning, ironing or gardening
Simple to start, with lots of repeat customers. Word of mouth on local Facebook groups works well.
14. Renting out your driveway or a parking space
If you live near a station, stadium or town centre, parking apps let you rent it by the hour or month.
15. Christmas work
Seasonal retail, warehouse and delivery jobs are hiring now. A temporary job is employment, not a side hustle, so tax comes off through PAYE.
Using AI (carefully)
16. AI-assisted services
Some people use AI tools to speed up writing, design or admin work for clients. The skill clients pay for is still yours (checking, editing and knowing what’s good), so be honest with clients about how you work.
17. Watch out: avoid “AI get-rich-quick” courses
If someone is selling a course promising easy passive income from AI, be very wary. The person making the money is usually the one selling the course.
Side hustle tax: the rules in 60 seconds
- £1,000 trading allowance: if your total side hustle income (before costs) is £1,000 or less in a tax year (6 April to 5 April), you usually don’t need to tell HMRC or pay tax on it.
- Over £1,000 gross trading income: you normally need to tell HMRC by 5 October after that tax year. The usual online filing deadline is the following 31 January. Whether tax is due depends on profit, allowable deductions and your other income.
- Platforms report to HMRC: goods-selling platforms may report sellers with 30 or more transactions or proceeds of at least €2,000 in a calendar year. Service and property-rental reporting has different exclusions. Reporting does not create a new tax or prove tax is due.
- Universal Credit: side hustle income must be reported to Universal Credit, even if it’s under £1,000. The trading allowance doesn’t apply there.
My full guide explains all of this with examples: side hustle tax and the £1,000 trading allowance. If you also have a job, read side hustle tax when you’re employed, or try my side hustle tax calculator.
Side hustle scams to avoid
- “Get paid to like posts” or “task” jobs on WhatsApp that ask you to pay a deposit. This is a well-known scam.
- Reshipping or parcel-forwarding “jobs”. These can involve stolen goods.
- Being asked to receive money into your bank account and send it on. This is money laundering (“money muling”) and is a crime.
- Courses promising guaranteed income. Look for real reviews and never borrow to pay for one.
If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Use the official Report Fraud service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; contact Police Scotland in Scotland.
Side hustle FAQs
What is the best side hustle in the UK?
There isn’t one best side hustle. It depends on your skills and time. Selling your own clutter, local services like pet sitting, and skills-based freelance work tend to be the most reliable starting points.
How much can I earn from a side hustle without paying tax?
Up to £1,000 a year in total side hustle income is usually covered by the trading allowance. Above that, you normally need to tell HMRC; tax due depends on your taxable profit and other income.
Can I have a side hustle if I’m employed?
Usually yes, but check your employment contract for rules about second jobs or conflicts of interest.
What to do next
Pick one idea that fits your skills and your week, start small and keep simple records from day one. And remember the £1,000 line, so January doesn’t bring a surprise tax bill.
Last updated: 21 October 2026. Tax rules checked against GOV.UK for 2026/27.
HMRC sources: trading and property allowances, including exclusions; digital-platform reporting. Renting out a driveway can fall under property-income rules rather than the trading allowance.
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This is general information, not personal financial advice. Check official guidance and current retailer terms for your circumstances. Financial disclaimer.
About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is the PhD scientist, former secondary science teacher and mum behind MoneySavvyUK, turning complex household money topics into practical steps.