Haley Butler
Summer side hustles let people turn spare hours into extra income through gig work like pet sitting, tutoring, food delivery, or freelance writing, but the real payoff depends on weighing platform fees and self employment taxes against what each gig actually pays.
Key Takeaways
- Dozens of summer side hustles exist for nearly any skill set, from writing to yard work to pet care.
- Online platforms that connect you with gigs often charge fees that cut into earnings.
- Self employed workers owe a 15.3% self employment tax on top of regular income tax.
- Startup costs, such as a laptop or a car, should factor into whether a gig makes financial sense.
- Anyone earning $400 or more from self employment must file self employment taxes.
Popular Ways to Earn Extra Money This Summer
The warmer months bring a surge in demand for flexible, short term work. Families travel and need someone to watch the house or the dog. Parents want tutors for kids catching up before fall. Students and side hustlers alike turn to apps for delivery runs or quick freelance gigs.
Options span a wide range of skills and time commitments. Freelance writers and editors can find listings on Freelancer, Upwork, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Tutors can connect with students through Wyzant or Preply. Pet lovers can sign up for dog walking or sitting jobs on Rover, while house sitting opportunities show up on TrustedHousesitters and MindMyHouse.
Other gigs lean more physical. Lawn care work is listed on LawnLove and LandscapeIndustryCareers.org, and moving help can be found through TaskRabbit or Dolly. Drivers with a car can pick up food delivery shifts through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart. For those who prefer sharing opinions over labor, paid surveys and focus groups are available through FocusGroups.org, User Interviews, Find Focus Groups, and Side Hustle Nation.
There are also creative and low effort paths. Flipping items bought cheap or fixed up at home can bring profit on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Depop, or Poshmark. Parents seeking summer childcare help post jobs on Care.com, Sittercity, UrbanSitter, and Nanny Lane. Artists can sell crocheted goods, knitted items, or handmade jewelry at local markets. Fast typists can pursue transcription work through Rev or TranscribeMe.
Renting out unused space is another option gaining attention. Casey Schow, head of public relations for Neighbor, said people can rent garages, driveways, or side yards to store RVs, boats, vehicles, and seasonal items. He noted that what surprises people isn't just the money earned but how little time the arrangement actually takes.
Comparing Costs Across Popular Gig Platforms
Not every side hustle costs the same to pursue. Some platforms take a cut of earnings, while others require upfront spending on equipment or transportation before the first dollar comes in.
| Side Hustle | Example Platform | Platform Fee or Cost Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance writing/editing | Upwork | 10% freelancer service fee |
| Tutoring | Wyzant | 25% platform fee |
| Pet sitting/dog walking | Rover | Set your own price; platform takes a service fee |
| Food delivery | DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart | Vehicle costs: gas, maintenance, insurance |
| Space rental | Neighbor | Minimal setup; income from unused garage or yard space |
What Side Hustle Income Means for Your Taxes
Extra income comes with extra tax responsibility. Anyone earning $400 or more from self employment must file self employment taxes, according to IRS rules. On top of regular income tax, freelancers and gig workers pay a 15.3% self employment tax that covers Social Security and Medicare.
Startup costs matter too. A freelance writer typically needs a laptop or tablet and reliable internet. A food delivery driver needs a car or bike, plus money set aside for gas, maintenance, and insurance. These expenses can add up before any income arrives, so it helps to calculate them against expected earnings.
Some of these costs can be deducted at tax time. Computer expenses, platform fees, internet costs, and car repair costs for delivery drivers may all qualify as write offs. The IRS maintains a gig economy tax center that offers guidance on forms, deductible expenses, and filing requirements for self employed workers.
Is a Summer Side Hustle Worth the Trade Off?
Choosing the right side hustle comes down to matching your skills and available time against the real costs involved. A tutor giving up a quarter of earnings to a platform fee needs enough demand to make the math work. A delivery driver needs to track mileage and vehicle wear alongside gas prices. Someone renting out a garage may find the arrangement requires far less effort than a job with an hourly wage attached.
Before committing to any gig, it makes sense to total the fees, equipment costs, and tax obligations tied to it, then compare that against what similar workers typically earn. Keeping some earnings set aside for tax season, rather than spending every dollar as it comes in, can prevent a surprise bill later.
Richard Carr
