Renfrewshire residents planning to make some extra money this Christmas by selling homemade crafts or running market stalls are being urged to check if they need to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about their earnings.
As part of its Help for Hustles campaign, HMRC is reminding anyone earning extra income from festive activities – such as selling handmade decorations, upcycled gifts, or seasonal treats – that they must declare their earnings if they make more than £1,000 a year.
The guidance highlights the difference between selling personal items, like unwanted household goods, and trading for profit, such as making and selling new products. Only the latter may need to be reported to HMRC.
Anyone earning over £1,000 from all side hustles combined during the 2024–2025 tax year must register for Self Assessment as a sole trader, submit a return, and pay any tax owed by 31st January 2026. For example, someone making £600 from craft sales and £500 from content creation would need to register, as their total exceeds the £1,000 threshold.
Kevin Hubbard, HMRC’s Director of Individuals & 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.”
Graham Wilson OBE, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Association of British Markets, added: “Markets are an important part of Christmas celebrations and every year, town centres around the country witness thousands of traders enriching the festive atmosphere. We encourage all traders, especially those new to selling, to understand their tax obligations.”
People can use a free online checker on www.gov.uk to see if they need to report their additional income and access more information through HMRC’s Help for Hustles campaign page.