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Side Hustles
Side Hustle Income0/3 questions
In this lesson
  1. Introduction
  2. Business income
  3. Selling belongings
  4. Track income
  5. Put it into practice
  6. Check your understanding
  7. Official sources
  8. In short
Side Hustles

Is My Side Hustle Income?

Understand how tutoring, freelancing, reselling and content may create reportable income.

7 minutesIntermediateReviewed July 23, 2026Lesson 13 of 15
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to…
  • Recognize when an activity may count as business income.
  • Tell a one-off personal sale apart from a resale business.
  • Start tracking income from a side hustle.

A side hustle may include tutoring, lawn care, editing, design, selling products, commissions or content income. Calling it small does not remove possible tax obligations.

Key takeaway

Business income is activity carried on for profit, supported by evidence of that intent.

Business income

The CRA generally describes business income as income from an activity carried on for profit where evidence supports that intention.

Cash and non-cash benefits connected with commercial activity may have tax consequences.

Employment income differs from self-employment income.

Selling belongings

Selling one personal item is not automatically a resale business.

Repeatedly buying items to sell for profit may be a business activity.

The facts and purpose matter more than the platform used.

Track income

Keep records of cash, transfers, platform payments and other income.

Key terms in this lesson
Business income

Income from an activity carried on for profit, supported by evidence of that intention.

Quick check

What's the main difference between employment and self-employment income for a teenager?

Put it into practice

0/2 done
  1. List everything of value you received: cash, e-Transfers, platform payments, tips, commissions and free products or services.
  2. Note the date and source of each.
Check your understanding

3 questions

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Questions completed: 0 of 3

Question 1 of 3
You earn money tutoring neighbours for cash. How should you treat that money?
Question 2 of 3
How does self-employed income differ from employment income for a teenager?
Question 3 of 3
Which record is most useful to keep for a small side hustle?

In short

  • Business income is activity carried on for profit, supported by evidence of that intent.
  • Selling one personal item isn't automatically a business; repeated buying-to-resell likely is.
  • Cash, e-Transfers, platform payments, tips, and free products can all count as income.
  • Keep a record of what you received, when, and from whom.
Educational content only. TaxLoophole.ca provides general educational information and does not provide personalized tax, legal or financial advice. Rules may change and may differ based on your province, territory and circumstances. Verify important decisions with the Canada Revenue Agency, another appropriate government source or a qualified professional.

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