Tool

Side hustle tax calculator

How much of your freelance or self-employed income goes to Revenue?

Estimate only. Does not account for allowable business expenses (which reduce taxable income). Consult Revenue.ie or a tax adviser for your specific situation.

Your income

€40,000
€0€120,000

Your gross annual salary from employment (PAYE taxed by employer).

€8,000
€0€50,000

Gross income from freelance, consultancy, rental, or other non-PAYE sources. Enter gross (before any expenses or tax).

Rates applied

Marginal income tax20%
Marginal USC4.0%
Class S PRSI4%
Combined marginal38.0%

Side income take-home

€4,960

from €8,000 gross

Tax on side income

€3,040

effective rate 38.0%

Tax breakdown on side income

Income tax (20% marginal)€2,400
USC (4.0% marginal)€320
Class S PRSI (4%)€320
Total additional tax€3,040

Form 11 required

You must file a self-assessed income tax return (Form 11) by 31 October (or 12 November via ROS). Non-PAYE income exceeds €5,000.

Preliminary tax due (90% of liability): €2,736 — payable by 31 October.

Full-year picture

PAYE salary (net)€33,488
Side income (net after tax)€4,960
Total net take-home€38,448

How it works

  • Income tax: Side income is added to your PAYE salary to determine your marginal rate. If your salary already exceeds €44,000, all side income is taxed at 40%.
  • USC: Applied on total gross income at the marginal rate for each band. Side income pushes you into higher bands faster.
  • Class S PRSI (4%):Self-employed workers pay PRSI at 4% on non-PAYE income. This is lower than the Class A employee rate (4.1%), but there’s no employer matching contribution, and entitlements differ.
  • Expenses reduce your tax bill: This calculator uses gross side income. If you have legitimate business expenses (equipment, software, professional fees), these reduce your taxable income before tax is applied.
  • Preliminary tax: Self-assessed workers must pay 90% of their expected tax liability by 31 October. Set aside this amount as you earn throughout the year.

Check Revenue’s guide: Self-assessment and self-employment →