Five odd jobs with Taxable Income

Whatever your side hustle, if money is hitting your account, remember that the IRS wants a cut. If you’re not careful, your side hustle could lead to some not-so-fun surprises come tax season. And if you’re not careful, your fun side hustle could lead to some not-so-fun surprises come tax season.

In this odd jobs tax guide, we’ll explore some unconventional ways people are earning income today and, more importantly, how to report it properly, avoid penalties, and maybe even snag a few extra tax deductions along the way.

How to pay taxes when you’re self-employed

No matter your side hustle, if you’re working for yourself, you first need to understand how to pay taxes on your self-employment income.

Since you don’t have an employer withholding taxes from your side business, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a big tax bill (and possible penalties) at year’s end. These quarterly estimated payments will cover:

Income tax:

Your normal tax rate determined by your tax bracket.

• Self-employment tax:
• The tax rate is 15.3% and covers your Social Security and Medicare taxes. This tax is applicable to anyone who earns $400 or more in self-employment income. Sept. 15 (for income earned September through December)Note: If any of the above dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day.

TaxAct(r) has some helpful tax calculators to estimate how much you should pay each quarter:

• How do I make estimated tax payments?
• Making estimated tax payments is easier than you might think. Here are the different ways you can pay quarterly taxes:
• Tax software
• – When you e-file with TaxAct, our tax preparation software allows you to calculate and submit estimated taxes automatically each quarter via Electronic Fund Withdrawal.

IRS Direct Pay – You can also pay directly from your bank account through the IRS website without fees.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

– A free service the IRS provides that allows you to schedule payments in advance. If you go this route, you will need to sign up ahead of time with the IRS.

Debit or credit card

• – You can make payments online with a credit or debit card, but processing fees may apply.Mailing a check or money order
• – If you prefer old-school methods, you can send a check with an estimated tax payment voucher (Form 1040-ES). TaxAct can assist you in printing these vouchers. If you are employed by an employer, you may request that additional tax be withheld from your regular pay to cover your side gig. Use Form W-4.Odd Jobs with Taxable Income
• Now we know how to pay for your side hustle, let’s look at the specifics. Feet picture taxesSelling feet pics: tax obligations
• Decided to start selling feet pics online? Selling your feet photos online, on platforms like FeetFinder(r), or through social media is considered regular income. The IRS expects that you report this income when you file your taxes. Will I receive a form 1099?It depends. If you earn $600 or more in 2025 through a single payment option, such as PayPal(r), Venmo (r), Cash App (r), or FeetFinder(r), you will receive a 1099 NEC or 1099 K reporting all of your business transactions. Even if you do not receive a 1099-NEC or 1099-K, you must still report all income. The IRS doesn’t care whether a form was issued — they expect you to report every dime.
• Where do I report my income?You’ll report your feet pic earnings on Schedule C, which is used for self-employed individuals and small businesses. The IRS will consider your feet photos a business if you make money. This means more tax implications but also more potential tax deductions!

TaxAct(r) Self-Employed is an easy way to DIY your taxes if you sell feet pics. Our tax preparation software will guide you through reporting your business income and expenditures without hassle.

12.4% for Social Security

2.9% for Medicare

You can deduct half of your self-employment tax on your tax return.

Example: Calculating self-employment tax

Let’s say you made $10,000 selling feet photos in a year. Here’s how the self-employment tax works:

Self-employment tax:

15.3% of $10,000 = $1,530

Tax deduction:

You can deduct $765 (50%) from your taxable income.

So, while you owe $1,530 in self-employment tax, you’ll get a tax deduction for half of it.

Reporting income from selling feet pictures

If you made money selling feet photos, you’ll need to report it on:

• Using TaxAct Self-Employed, you can easily file taxes and ensure you don’t miss any important deductions. Tax deductions for feet photos
  • Good News! Many of the costs associated with your feet pic business may be tax-deductible.
  • Photography gear for high-quality images (cameras, ring lights, tripods)
• Editing software (Photoshop, Lightroom)

Marketing expenses (social media ads to attract potential buyers, website fees)

Platform fees (if FeetFinder, Etsy(r), or other sites take a cut of your earnings)

• Home office (if you work from home and have a dedicated space)Internet and phone bills (only the portion related to business use)
• Stock photo subscriptions (for creative inspiration)Grooming expenses (if done solely for business purposes)

Feet picture taxes FAQs

In short, yes — sometimes. If you can prove that your pedicure and foot care expenses are solely for business purposes, they may qualify as tax deductions. For example:

A client requests custom content or a specific nail polish color you’d never wear otherwise.

You only get pedicures for photoshoots and not for personal use.

Essentially, if you wouldn’t be getting the pedicure if it weren’t for your business, it can be considered a legitimate business expense. It all depends on your risk tolerance and what documentation you can give the IRS if they decide to challenge the deduction.

That’s the key to this deduction — documentation. Keep all receipts, tax records and screenshots of client requests to prove your business expenses in the event of an IRS audit. There is no standard for documenting your business expenses as a taxpayer, but the general recommendation is to document as much as possible and keep those records for at least three years.

• How do I avoid scams and getting scammed when selling feet pics?
• Use secure payment methods (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App).
• Avoid buyers who refuse upfront payment.
• Watermark your quality photos before sending samples.
• Watch out for scammers who promise “chargebacks.”
• Don’t use your real name if you aren’t comfortable.
• 2. Twitch streamer tax
• Have a Twitch (r) channel that brings in some ad revenues or virtual currency such as Twitch Bits. You might. You only need to report the income once! But you only need to report the income once!

You’re likely to get a Twitch tax form if:

You earn at least $10 in royalties through Twitch subscriptions and ads.

• You earn at least $600 in other revenue like Bits and Cheers.
• You meet the payment threshold for Twitch’s payment processors (like PayPal or a third-party sponsor).

Just remember, if you don’t get a Twitch tax document, you’re not off the hook — you still need to report every dollar you made on your tax return.

Where do I report my Twitch income?

Your Twitch earnings go on Schedule C — the form for reporting profit or loss from self-employment. The IRS views your streaming business as a small one, and not a hobby. That means you have more responsibilities, but also more opportunities to deduct expenses.

• TaxAct Self-Employed can help you report your Twitch income and walk you through claiming any relevant deductions so you don’t overpay.
• Self-employment taxes for Twitch streamers
• If you earned $400 or more from your Twitch channel, you’ll owe self-employment tax on top of income tax to cover Medicare and Social Security taxes. Thankfully, you can deduct half of this on your income tax return.
• Example: Calculating self-employment tax
• Say you made $5,000 in a year through Twitch:

Self-employment tax:

15.3% of $5,000 = $765

Tax deduction:

You can deduct $382.50 (50%) from your taxable income

This deduction helps reduce your overall tax bill even though you still owe the tax itself.

Reporting income from Twitch streaming

• If you earn income as a Twitch streamer, you’ll need to file:
• TaxAct Self-Employed makes reporting all your Twitch revenue easy, including ad payments, Bits, and third-party sponsorships. You can even add income from other platforms if you’re streaming in multiple places.
• Tax deductions for Twitch streamers

Streaming isn’t cheap, but thankfully, many of those costs can be tax-deductible — as long as they’re used primarily for business purposes.

Common tax deductions for Twitch creators:

Gaming and streaming equipment (PCs, consoles, microphones, webcams)

Capture cards and monitors

Lighting (ring lights, LED strips)

Software subscriptions (OBS plugins, editing tools, music licenses)

Internet costs (business-use portion)

Home office expenses (if you use a dedicated streaming space)

• Twitch fees or processing chargesGraphic design (emotes, overlays, thumbnails)
• Marketing (ads, giveaways to promote your stream)Twitch taxes FAQs

Can I write off my gaming PC if I use it for streaming?

If you bought your PC primarily for your streaming business and use it regularly for that purpose, it’s generally deductible. You can deduct the percentage of your PC that is used for business purposes. For example, if you use the PC 80% of the time for your business and 20% for personal use, you should only deduct 80% of the cost.

What records should I keep as a Twitch streamer?

Good recordkeeping makes things less stressful, especially during tax time! Here are some examples of records you should keep when making money from Twitch:

Payment records from Twitch and any sponsors

Receipts for gear and subscriptions (and anything you want to deduct)

Screenshots of brand deals or contracts

• A log of business use for shared items (like your internet or computer)
• 3. Dog walking taxes
• Do you walk dogs through Rover(r)? Or do you offer dog-sitting on your own as a business? Dog-walking income, whether you do it occasionally to help a neighbor out or as a full-time job, is taxable. It counts as self-employment. Rover withholds taxes from payments?
• No. Rover does not withhold taxes like an employer. It’s your responsibility to set aside money to cover self-employment and income tax. Setting aside 25-30% of your self-employment income is generally recommended to cover your tax liability.
• Will I receive Rover tax forms?
• It depends on how much you earn. In 2025, Rover will send you Form 1099K if your income is over $2,500. (The threshold was $5,000 in the year 2024). But even if you don’t receive a Rover tax form, you’re still technically required to report your income.
• Where do I report my dog walking income?
• You’ll report your dog walking income on Schedule C, which is used for sole proprietors and self-employed individuals. Even if you’re just walking a few dogs a week, the IRS treats it as a small business — and that opens the door to some tax deductions.
• TaxAct Self-Employed can help you report all your income (whether from Rover or direct clients) and guide you through available tax deductions.

Self-employment taxes for dog walkers

If you made at least $400 walking dogs, you’re considered self-employed and must pay self-employment tax to cover Social Security and Medicare taxes. However, you can deduct half of this self-employment tax on your return.

Example: Calculating self-employment tax

Say you made $8,000 walking dogs in a year. Here’s how the self-employment tax shakes out:

Self-employment tax:

• 15.3% of $8,000 = $1,224
• Tax deduction:
• You can deduct $612 (half of the self-employment tax)
• So, while you owe $1,224, you’ll get to lower your taxable income by $612.

Reporting income from dog walking

As a dog walker, you’ll report your earnings using:

TaxAct Self-Employed makes it easy to track your Rover income and any off-the-books dog gigs. We’ll ask simple questions, do the math, and help you file taxes accurately and confidently.

Tax deductions for dog walking

Good news: You can write off many of the costs related to your dog-walking gig — as long as they’re used strictly for business.

Common tax deductions for dog walkers:

Leashes, collars, poop bags, and treats

Pet first aid kits

Gas and mileage if you drive to clients

Pet-sitting or walking gear (like crates, portable water bowls, or harnesses)

Fees for apps or booking tools (like Rover)

Marketing (flyers, website hosting, local ads)

Phone and internet (business-use portion only)

• Home office expenses (if you run your dog-walking business from home and use your office exclusively for this purpose)FAQs about dog walking and Rover taxes
• Does Rover send a 1099 form to dog walkers?They might, depending on how much you earn. You’ll receive a 1099 form if you meet the income thresholds and make enough transactions. You’re still required by law to report the income, even if you don’t receive a formal tax form. Rover may also provide a summary of your yearly earnings in your account dashboard, even if they don’t send a formal tax form.

Do I need to pay taxes if I only walk dogs occasionally?

Yes. You’re also considered self-employed if you make $400 or more. This means you must pay self employment tax. The IRS doesn’t care whether you consider it a “real” job — if you’re making money, the government always wants a cut.

How do I keep track of my dog-walking expenses?

Create a system that works for you. This could be done with a spreadsheet, business bank account or bookkeeping software. It is important to keep accurate records and save receipts for the IRS. Tax You That means you’re responsible for reporting your income, even if you don’t receive a Fiverr or TaskRabbit tax form.

Do these platforms take out taxes?

Unfortunately, TaskRabbit and Fiverr do not withhold taxes for you. You Task This This goes for any additional platforms you use, too.

Where do I report my income?

• You’ll report your TaskRabbit and Fiverr income on Schedule C — the form used for reporting profits (or losses) from self-employment. You’re technically running a small business, so the IRS wants the full picture.
• Don’t panic, though — TaxAct Self-Employed makes it easy to plug in your earnings from each platform and walks you through the steps to report everything accurately, with tax deduction tips along the way.
• Self-employment taxes for TaskRabbit and Fiverr gigs
• You’re on the hook for self-employment tax if you earned at least $400 across all your side gigs. You You can deduct half of this self-employment tax on your return.
• Example: Calculating self-employment tax
• Let’s say you made $12,000 total from TaskRabbit and Fiverr gigs:
• Self-employment tax:
• 15.3% of $12,000 = $1,836

Tax deduction:

You can deduct $918 (half) from your taxable income

So, yes — you’ll pay some extra taxes, but you also get a deduction to help soften the blow.

Reporting income from TaskRabbit and Fiverr

You’ll report your earnings using:

Using TaxAct Self-Employed, you can easily combine income from multiple platforms — whether you’re assembling furniture in the morning or freelancing online at night. We’ll help you get your tax forms done without stress.

Tax deductions for TaskRabbit and Fiverr gigs

Here’s the good part: Your business expenses are tax-deductible as long as they’re related to your gigs.

Common deductions for freelancers and taskers:

Tools and supplies (power drills, paintbrushes, ring lights, etc. )

Travel expenses (mileage if you drive to clients)

Software subscriptions (like Adobe(r), Canva(r), or productivity tools)

Internet and phone bills (the portion used for business)

Marketing costs (social ads, business cards, website hosting)

Platform fees (commissions taken by TaskRabbit or Fiverr)

Home office expenses (if you work from home and meet IRS guidelines)

Education or training (courses directly related to your gig skills)

FAQs about TaskRabbit and Fiverr taxes

Can I deduct tools or supplies I bought just for my TaskRabbit gig?

If they’re ordinary and necessary for your gig work, yes! For example:

• A folding ladder for home repair jobsA cleaning kit for housekeeping gigs
• A design tablet used only for Fiverr illustrationsIf it’s a legit business expense and you keep records and receipts for each expense, you should be good to go.

What if I do both TaskRabbit and Fiverr?

That’s totally fine. You If Schedule Local gigs (babysitting taxes, tutoring, yard work, and more)

Babysitting on weekends? Even Even if you’re getting paid in cash “under the table,” the IRS still expects you to report that money.

Babysitting and taxes can feel confusing, especially if it’s not a full-time thing — but income is income, and if you’re earning money regularly, the IRS treats it like self-employment.

How do I claim babysitting income on taxes?

You’ll report your earnings on Schedule C — the form for small business and self-employment income. You If you work independently and not as someone’s employee, you’re technically running your own small business.

Will I receive a 1099 form?

• Probably not in many cases. Most If Tax You’ll also get guidance on what you can legally deduct to lower your tax bill.
• Self-employment taxes for babysitters and local gig workers
• If you made $400 or more from local gigs during the year, you’re officially considered self-employed and must pay self-employment tax (but you can deduct half of it).
• Example: Calculating self-employment tax
• Let’s say you made $7,500 in a year babysitting and tutoring:
• Self-employment tax:
• 15.3% of $7,500 = $1,147.50
• Tax deduction:

You can deduct $573.75 (50%) from your taxable income

Reporting income from babysitting and local gigs

You’ll need to file:

• TaxAct Self-Employed makes it simple to enter your income, even if it’s from multiple local gigs. Tax You may be able to deduct your business-related expenses — even for cash gigs — as long as you keep good records.
• Common tax deductions for babysitters and local gigs:
• Educational materials or lesson plans (for tutors)

Cleaning supplies (for house cleaners)

Toys, games, or crafts used during babysitting

Gas and mileage for traveling to clients’ homes

Marketing expenses (flyers, social media ads, website fees)

Phone and internet (portion used for client communication or scheduling)

Home office expenses (if you prep lessons, manage scheduling, or do client outreach from a dedicated home workspace)

FAQs about local gigs and babysitting taxes

Do I have to pay taxes if I only babysit occasionally?

Yes — the IRS considers you self-employed if you make $400 or more. You You If Tax If Check It Tax

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