ANYONE earning extra income through a side hustle is being urged to check if they need to register for Self Assessment – and if so, file their tax return now.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging those with additional income streams – from online selling and content creation to dog walking and property rental – to understand their tax obligations and get ahead of the January deadline rush.

The £1,000 threshold is key:- anyone who earns more than this from their side hustle in a tax year may need to register for Self Assessment and complete a tax return. This includes gains or income received from cryptoassets.

Anyone who thinks they may need to complete a tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year can use the checker tool on GOV.UK to find out. New entrants to Self Assessment must register to receive their Unique Taxpayer Reference.

Easy-to-use guides for side hustlers can be found at this website. 

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.

Visit GOV.UK to find out more about Self Assessment and how to file a tax return.