> SIDE_HUSTLE
“I made €10k on the side.” Per hour?
Side income lands on top of your salary, so it’s taxed at your highest rate. Add the unpaid hours and the costs, and here’s what you’re really working for.
€
Admin, travel, quotes, posting
€
Fuel, fees, software, materials
€
Equipment, kit, website
€
Side income is taxed on top of it — at your top rate.
Or start from an example (edit after):
Examples are illustrations, not market rates.
More detail+
Holidays, quiet months, sick days
WHAT YOU REALLY EARN PER HOURCALCULATED
€10.13/hr
“I’m making €10.13/hour after tax, costs and the hours nobody pays me for.” You think it’s €28.85/hour.
Your hour, comparedCALCULATED
Side hustle (what you think)€29
Side hustle (what you keep)€10
Your day job, after tax€20
Minimum wage (gross, 2027)€15
Brutal: you’re working for less than the minimum wage. Raise prices, cut the unpaid hours, or stop.
You keep / year
€5,125
Tax on it
49%
€4,960 income tax, USC, PRSI
Hours / year
506
63 working days
Setup paid back in
1.2 months
The year, line by lineCALCULATED
Revenue€10,615
Running costs−€531
Taxable profit€10,022
Extra income tax, USC & PRSI−€4,960
Kept (ongoing)€5,125
Year 1 after setup costs€4,625
Year-1 hourly after setup: €9.14. Setup treated as equipment: 12.5% a year is tax-deductible (wear and tear).
- Revenue: Form 11 (register for income tax self-assessment).
- At €5,000+ profit you pay at least €650 PRSI (Class S) — a jump at the threshold.
- Renting a room in your own home? Up to €16,000 a year can be tax-free under Rent-a-Room relief (not short-term lets).
Real hourly rate€10.13/hr