Side Hustle on an ABN: How Much Tax to Set Aside
The tax on $10,000 and $25,000 of side profit on top of three salaries, the share to put aside, and PAYG instalments and GST.
By the MoneyBackKit AU team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 2 min read
Selling on Etsy, delivering, freelancing or tutoring on an ABN alongside a job? Nobody withholds tax from that income. The tax is worked out at the end of the year on your salary plus your profit, so the bill can come as a shock.
How much to set aside
| Salary | Tax on $10,000 profit | Set aside | Tax on $25,000 profit | Set aside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $3,300 | 33% | $8,100 | 32% |
| $100,000 | $3,200 | 32% | $8,000 | 32% |
| $150,000 | $3,900 | 39% | $9,750 | 39% |
Staying on top of it
- Put the percentage above into a separate account every time you're paid.
- Keep records of income and business expenses; only the profit is taxed.
- Declare it in your tax return under business income, with your ABN.
- Once you owe tax on business or investment income, the ATO may put you into PAYG instalments, so you pay through the year instead of in one hit.
- You must register for GST once turnover reaches $75,000 a year, but rideshare drivers must register from the first dollar.
- If you have a HELP debt, the profit also adds to your HELP repayment.