Side Hustle Taxes: The Basics
Side income is often taxable. Many people are surprised because no employer withholds taxes from gig payouts.
Last updated June 2, 2026
Planning reserve
A common approach is setting aside a percentage of profit in a separate account. Sidequity calculators use a reserve you control. That is planning math, not filing advice. Confirm your situation with a tax professional.
Self-employment tax is often around 15.3 percent of net profit in addition to income tax. Many planners include both in a combined reserve.
This is an estimate, not advice
Every result here is a rough model based only on the numbers you enter. Sidequity is an informational tool and does not provide professional, tax, legal, investment, or financial advice, and it makes no income guarantees. Any tax set-aside is a planning placeholder, not a tax calculation.
For decisions that affect your money, taxes, or business, review your situation with a qualified professional. See our full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this financial advice?
No. Sidequity provides educational planning tools and estimates, not professional advice.
How accurate are the numbers?
They are only as good as your inputs. Use conservative figures when planning bills and debt.
Where should I start?
Run one calculator with your real week of data, then adjust.
This guide was last updated June 2, 2026. Back to all guides.