UK Tax Changes: Making Money on The Side in 2024

11th March 2024

Navigating the evolving taxation landscape in the UK can be challenging for those trying to earn extra income in 2024. With recent modifications to personal allowances and dividend tax rates, it’s important to understand how these changes could impact earnings from side jobs or investments.

Careful planning and staying updated on policies allows individuals to optimise income while remaining compliant.

New Tax Landscape

The year 2024 brought some significant modifications to the United Kingdom’s fiscal scheme. Understanding these changes is crucial to properly manage your side income. The main amendments revolve around the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) and dividend tax rates.

Such modifications have substantial implications on individuals with sizable savings outside of registered retirement schemes and those receiving dividends. Remember, correct knowledge of prevailing tax laws not only saves you from penalties but can also unveil potential paths for financial improvement.

Affect on Side Income

The recent tax alterations may affect how much you’ll earn from your side gigs. You might find your take-home pay is lesser than anticipated, mainly because some part of it has been levied as tax. As a result, an evaluation of whether or not running these side jobs continues to be profitable is necessary.

For example, if your sideline involves selling handmade crafts online, an understanding that business royalties from such activities are subject to taxation is crucial to profit calculations. Depending upon your overall annual income bracket, there could be room for some lucrative benefits too.

Advice From Income Artist

In 2024 tax changes, there’s particular consideration for artists and other creatives who make money by selling their works or performances. Direct earnings from your artistic endeavours are treated as trading income and are liable for an income tax levy in the band rate you fall into.

However, according to Income Artist, royalties earned from licensing your work may qualify for special tax considerations under copyright and performance rules in new UK tax law. It can result in a more favourable royalty taxation system for creative technology professionals like software developers and web designers too.

Side Jobs Taxation

Income earned outside one’s primary employment is still subject to tax rates similar to normal income. While extra work provides more money, it also introduces complexity around proper tax compliance.

To avoid future issues, taxes owed should be calculated accurately without over or underpayment. Informing tax authorities ensures adjusted tax codes that smooth out the taxation process. Failing to report additional incomes can lead to costly audits and penalty fees down the road, so transparency from the outset creates stability.

Navigating Self-Assessment

Due to these changes, people earning side incomes significantly above their personal allowance need to submit a self-assessment tax return. The self-assessment system allows HMRC to collect Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax efficiently through this process.

You must accurately report all sources of revenue, including any money made ‘on the side’. The failure to include these details may lead to penalties which are preventable with cautious planning considerations starting now. Using online tools and resources can aid in navigating this self assessment terrain smoothly.

Freelance Work Taxes

Freelancers or self-employed individuals earn their income by delivering services for multiple clients. In 2024 tax changes, profits after deducting allowable business expenses are taxable. However, freelancers can claim deductions to lower net taxable income and ease the financial impact.

With the current state of remote working, more freelancers are eligible to claim deductions on relevant expenses. It is advantageous for freelancers to regularly update records and receipts for costs like home offices, equipment, training courses, and travel to clients. This structured documentation ensures optimal utilisation of deductions, preventing overpayment of taxes while maintaining compliance with HMRC specifications.

Staying updated on deduction eligible expenses as policies evolve around flexible working arrangements allows freelancers to maximise write-offs and retain more of their hard-earned income. Diligent record-keeping is key to ease the filing process each tax season.

Online Sales Taxes

Selling items online through platforms like eBay or Etsy is another popular way of generating side income. However, UK tax laws clearly detail that if you’re selling regularly with the goal of making profit rather than occasionally selling unwanted items around the house, then this constitutes a business activity.

If this fits your scenario, such profit is classified as ‘Miscellaneous Income’ on your tax return in 2024 and requires meticulous record-keeping detailing your sales and costs to avoid any discrepancies during possible audits.

Property Rental Profits

Individuals earning rental income in 2024 must account for these profits when filing UK taxes. Recent changes phase out full mortgage interest deductibility for landlords. However, a 20% tax credit remains available for mortgage interest and other allowable costs.

It is essential, especially those new to property rental, to maintain meticulous records to support landlord compliance. This is particularly important for new landlords navigating applicable tax rules for the first time. Organised record-keeping enables accurate claims for available credits and allowances.

Yielding less than the £1,000 property allowance threshold may entirely exempt rental profits from reporting obligations. With good documentation habits, even small-scale landlords can understand where allowances apply when evaluating rental property viability.

Overseas Income Reporting

Income sourced from foreign work, investments or rental properties is subject to UK tax filing and payment rules. Tax treaties with other countries help avoid double taxation. Due to complex implications, expert guidance ensures optimal arrangements for those with international income streams.

From consultants familiar with relevant regulations to accountants specialising in expat taxes, customised advice saves money and prevents non-compliance risks.

Charitable Donations Deductions

A common element overlooked when considering taxes is charitable donations. In 2024, giving to charity not only aids those in need but can also serve yourself through Gift Aid or via payroll (Give As You Earn). Keep track of these when you donate as it could potentially reduce your tax bill.

Your deductions calculations during self-assessment need to account for these charitable donations, especially if you’re a higher or additional rate taxpayer. This way, your philanthropy has a dual advantageous impact – for cause and cushioning your tax liabilities.

Diversifying Income Sources

Taking on multiple side jobs or income streams builds financial resilience, but also requires juggling complex tax rules. By leveraging experts, staying updated on regulation changes, and promptly meeting compliance duties, diverse income can be managed for optimal after-tax yield. For creative professionals like artists, diversified licensing and selling channels, when carefully managed, earning 8,000 dollars a month is easily achievable.

Building customised Excel trackers also makes it easier to consolidate figures from different sources when it’s time for filing taxes. The intricacies of UK tax law in 2024 can make optimising side earnings complicated, but knowledge, diligent documentation, and guidance empower individuals to maximise income potential within compliant bounds.

Accounting for the most recent allowances and deductions allows taxpayers to structure both assets and income streams in a more tax efficient manner.

To Recap

Creating side earnings in 2024 certainly provides added financial security but it’s paramount to keep yourself updated with the evolving UK taxation rules.

Minimising tax payments by using allowances effectively, adhering to reporting obligations promptly, and consciously planning finance through proper record maintenance can build an advantageous path in managing your taxes efficiently.