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People making money from Christmas crafts, market stalls, or selling festive items have been reminded to check if they need to tell HM Revenue & Customs about their earnings.
As the festive season approaches, the reminder is the latest crackdown by the tax authority on ensuring people pay the tax they should, with a particular focus on those running a side hustle alongside their full time job.
Anyone who earned more than £1,000 from side hustles in the 2024 to 2025 tax year needs to register for Self Assessment as a sole trader, file their return and pay any tax due by 31 January 2026.
The £1,000 threshold applies to all trading activities combined, HMRC said, so someone earning £600 from craft sales and £500 from content creation would need to register.
HMRC launched the ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign earlier this year. It follows the introduction of new rules from 1 January 2024 that require online platforms and marketplaces, such as eBay, Vinted and Airbnb, to share information with HMRC if users sell 30 items or more a year through their service.
Kevin Hubbard, HMRC’s director of individuals and small business compliance, said:
“Whether you’re making handmade Christmas decorations, selling upcycled furniture, or running a seasonal market stall, it’s important to understand when your festive side hustle becomes taxable trading.
“Nobody wants an unexpected tax bill, so anyone earning more than £1,000 from their side hustle should tell HMRC.”
Find full information on self assessment tax returns here.
