How much can I earn in a second job before declaring?

In the UK, you can earn up to £1,000 per tax year (6 April to 5 April) from a second job, hobby, or self-employed "side hustle" before you are required to declare it to HMRC. This is known as the Trading Allowance. If your income exceeds £1,000, you must register for Self Assessment.

How much can I earn on a second job before paying taxes?

Yes, you will normally need to pay tax on the additional earnings you get from a second job if the total amount you earn in a year is more than the £12,570 tax free Personal Allowance. You'll only get the allowance once in a year though – so even if you have multiple jobs, you won't get a new allowance for each one!

How much can you earn without declaring?

I heard that I don't need to do anything until I'm earning over £3,000? That's not true. If you're earning over £1,000 from side hustles, you'll still need to tell HMRC. At the moment, you tell HMRC by doing a Self Assessment tax return.

Do you have to declare if you have a second job?

Declaring Your Second Income

In any circumstances under which you have more than one source of income, you need to make sure that HMRC knows about it. If you're not paying enough tax on your combined income and HMRC catches up with you in the future, you could be landed with a big tax bill.

How does HMRC find out about extra income?

It detects patterns, connections, and inconsistencies across an enormous range of data sources. The data sources that Connect feeds off of include: Information from other Government agencies/departments (DVLA, DWP, Companies House, Land Registry, electoral roll, council tax records, etc).

Is a Second Job Actually Worth it? | Tax on a Second Job

What are red flags for HMRC?

HMRC red flags are patterns or discrepancies that trigger closer scrutiny, often detected by their data system, Connect, including undeclared income, sudden changes in turnover/profit, unusually high expenses, late tax filings, cash-heavy businesses, lifestyle not matching income, complex financial arrangements, and mismatches between different submitted figures (like Companies House vs. Self Assessment) or third-party data (like bank info)**. Missing or altered records, journal entries, or frequent changes in banks are also major warnings.
 

What type of income does not need to be reported?

Miscellaneous income

disability retirement payments from an employer-paid plan. sickness and injury payments from an employer-paid plan. property and services for which you bartered. money and income from offshore accounts.

What are common side hustle mistakes to avoid?

5 common side hustle mistakes and how to fix them

• Your audience is too broad. If you're saying “this is for everyone,” it's actually for no one. ...
• You're skipping the quick wins. ...
• You're not setting small challenges. ...
• You're working in isolation. ...
• You're afraid to start small.

Does a side hustle count as a second job?

A side hustle is one way an employee could make more money outside of their main job. They could take up a second part-time role for another employer in their free time, or it could involve them starting their own small business. On a base level, the law does not prohibit employees from having two jobs.

What happens if you get caught not declaring income?

If you have undeclared income you have broken the law and from HMRC's point of view you are guilty of tax evasion. This means that HMRC can prosecute, but they will normally only do so in cases involving fraud or false accounting. There are only a few prosecutions of this nature each year.

How much income can you not declare?

For the sake of clarity the 1000 pound threshold refers to gross income not profit. Not applicable here but may confuse others. For example a food business that makes 900 pounds profit from 1100 gross income would have to complete a tax return. You earn less than the income tax threshold of 12k per year.

How does tax work with 2 jobs in the UK?

Income Tax on second jobs

This is called the Personal Allowance and is £12,570 for the 2025/26 tax year. You only get one Personal Allowance – so it's usually best to have it applied to the job paying you the most. If you work two jobs and neither income is above £12,570, you can split your Personal Allowance.

What exactly defines a side hustle?

A side hustle is any work or business an individual takes on in addition to their primary job. It can range from freelancing, consulting, and online businesses to creative pursuits like blogging, photography, or selling handmade products.

What is the 30 60 90 rule for a new job?

The 30-60-90 day rule for a new job is a strategic roadmap outlining goals for your first three months, broken into learning (Days 1-30), contributing (Days 31-60), and driving results (Days 61-90) to ensure a smooth, impactful transition by setting clear expectations and milestones. It helps you focus on understanding the culture and systems first, then applying that knowledge to tasks, and finally taking initiative for bigger wins.
 

Can I put a 3 month job on my CV?

Should I put a three-month job on my CV? Yes, if it's relevant to the job you're applying for or helps fill an employment gap. A short-term role can showcase valuable skills, so focus on achievements rather than the duration.

What mistakes should I avoid in the first 90 days?

The seven biggest traps in the first 90 days…and how to avoid them

• Trap #1: Not adapting to the culture. ...
• Trap #2: Not engaging in social learning. ...
• Trap #3: Coming in with “the answer” ...
• Trap #4: Staying too long with the existing team. ...
• Trap #5: Attempting too much. ...
• Trap #6: Getting captured by the wrong people.

Do I have to declare if I have a second job?

Yes. If you take on a second job, especially if it involves self-employment, you must tell HMRC. When you start self-employment, you'll need to register with HMRC to file a Self-Assessment tax return.

Do I have to tell my job I have another job?

Because it doesn't directly affect things, it's OK to not discuss it at work. If you do decide to let your employer know, you probably don't want to make a big deal out of it. This could make for an awkward exchange. Instead, you can casually mention it in passing or work it into a conversation.

What triggers red flags to IRS?

Audit odds are low, but the IRS uses automated programs to identify issues. Common red flags include unreported income and excessive deductions. High earners and digital currency users may face extra scrutiny. Maintaining strong records and specifical documentation can help prevent issues.

What income is exempt from tax?

This means that if you earn €20,000 or less, you do not pay any income tax (because your tax credits of €4,000 are more than or equal to the amount of tax you are due to pay). However you may need to pay a Universal Social Charge (if your income is over €13,000) and PRSI (depending on how much you earn each week).