End of the Tax Year: What UK Side Hustlers & Self-Employed Need to Know

📅 The UK tax year ends on 5 April 2025, and if you’ve been running a Side Hustle or working Self-employed, this date really matters.

Whether you’re earning extra income as a freelancer, running a small business from home, or juggling employment and self-employment — here’s what you need to know about self-assessment, tax deadlines, and how to stay on top of everything (without the overwhelm!).

💼 Why Does the End of the Tax Year Matter?

In the UK, you’re taxed on everything you earn between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025 — this is known as the tax year.

If you’re employed, your income tax is automatically handled through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) — your employer deducts tax at source and pays it to HMRC for you.

But if you’re self-employed, run a side hustle, or earn money through freelancing, you need to report your income yourself through a process called Self Assessment.

🧾 What is Self Assessment and When Do You Register?

If you made over £1,000 in self-employed or side hustle income during this tax year, you must register with HMRC for Self Assessment by 5 October 2025.

👉 Register here: https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment

When you register, HMRC will issue your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) — keep this safe, as you'll need it every time you file.

You can submit your Self Assessment tax return from 6 April 2025, and the deadline to file and pay any tax due is 31 January 2026.

💡 What Info Do You Need to File?

Filing your return means reporting:

• All your self-employed income (including side hustles, freelance work, services sold)

• Any employment income and tax already paid through PAYE

• All your business expenses (like tools, subscriptions, travel, etc.)

💬 HMRC will calculate how much tax you owe — but it’s smart to estimate it in advance, so you can budget properly.

📊 Side Hustle Tax Tip: Use a Tracker

Using a tool like the Hustle Mate Tax Companion can make tax planning simple. You can:

• Log sales and expenses

• Factor in your employment income

• See a real-time estimate of your tax bill

• Know how much to save each month

➡️ This is ideal for anyone with a Side Hustle UK or part-time self-employment who needs help staying organised without hiring an accountant.

🛠️ How to File Your Tax Return

You can file your Self Assessment in one of three ways:

1. Directly on HMRC’s website via your Government Gateway

2. Using accounting software like FreeAgent, QuickBooks, or Xero (many are MTD-compatible)

3. Through an accountant – good for peace of mind, but often expensive

📣 If you're unsure, Hustle Mate can guide you through the process — just ask for help and we’ll support you every step of the way.

✅ Final Tax Year-End Checklist for Side Hustlers

• Have you earned over £1,000 from a side hustle or self-employment?

• Have you registered with HMRC?

• Are your income and expenses recorded clearly?

• Have you estimated your tax bill?

• Are you saving enough to pay by 31 January?

💬 Need help? You’re not alone.

Navigating tax as a side hustler can feel overwhelming — but you don’t need an accountant to get it right.
With the right tools and support, you can file with confidence, stay compliant, and focus on growing your business.

Join Hustle Mate for more UK tax tips, downloadable templates, and step-by-step guides made for busy people like you.