Side Hustles
How to Choose the Right Side Hustle for You
How to choose a side hustle that fits your time, skills, budget and goals, with a simple scorecard, a hypothetical worked example and a 30-day test plan.
· 7 min read
Side hustles for Canadian readers
Side Hustles in Canada: Choose One That Fits, and Do the CRA Side Right
Freelancing, local services, delivery apps and making money online in Canada can all add income, but most guides are written for the US, with 1099 forms, platforms that don't operate here and numbers in US dollars. The free step-by-step method below shows how to pick a side hustle that fits your week, test it cheaply and report it properly to the CRA. Most people earn modest amounts in the first months.
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- Honest numbers, no hype
The short answer
The best side hustles in Canada are the ones that match your hours and skills: freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr, local services such as pet care, snow clearing or tutoring, delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash or SkipTheDishes, and selling online through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay, Etsy or Poshmark. The CRA expects side income to be reported, usually as self-employment income on Form T2125, and you generally must register for GST/HST once your taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. Most people earn modest amounts at first, and results depend on your effort, market and execution.
Part of our honest guide to making money online.
Sound familiar?
Why most people never get started — or quit early
Almost every list is American
Guides built around 1099 forms, US-only apps and US dollar earnings leave you guessing which platforms work in Canada and which rules apply to you.
You're not sure what the CRA expects
Is a few hundred dollars from Marketplace or a weekend gig taxable? Do you need a business number? The fear of getting it wrong keeps people from starting at all.
Platforms now report sellers to the CRA
Since 2024, digital platforms have been collecting and reporting seller information to the CRA, and you've heard about penalties without knowing what applies to a small side hustle.
Winter, a commute and little energy left
Long commutes, family time and the season all shrink your free hours. Side hustles that need long fixed blocks or a car on the road all evening often don't last.
The turning point
Why this approach works in Canada
Most Canadian side hustles stall for three reasons: the wrong fit, numbers worked out in US dollars, and uncertainty about the CRA. This method handles each before you spend anything.
01
Fit before ideas
You start from your hours per week, your skills, your budget and your employment contract, then match those to a type of side hustle that actually operates where you live.
02
Canadian rules and dollars
You work out what you keep per hour in Canadian dollars after platform fees, costs and a tax set-aside, and you track gross taxable sales against the $30,000 GST/HST small supplier threshold from the first sale.
03
Small tests with records from day one
You try one idea for a few weeks with little money at risk and log every sale, hour and expense. When tax time comes, the numbers for Form T2125 already exist.
How this is different: Most side hustle content ranks ideas by the biggest income someone once reported, usually in US dollars. This page treats a Canadian side hustle as a small experiment that has to fit your week, survive honest math and be reported properly to the CRA.
How it works
Your first steps
- 1
Check your time, skills and contract
Write down the hours you can really give each week, what you're good at and what you can spend, and check whether your employment contract limits outside work.
- 2
Shortlist ideas that operate in Canada
Confirm the platform works in your province before planning around it. Vinted closed its Canadian site in 2024, and TikTok Shop had not launched in Canada as of our last check in 2026.
- 3
Test one idea for four to six weeks
List on Marketplace or Kijiji, set up a freelance profile, or offer a local service. Track every hour, dollar and kilometre so you know your real hourly rate.
- 4
Report it and watch the GST/HST line
Report self-employment income on your return, usually with Form T2125, and keep receipts for eligible expenses. Register for GST/HST once taxable sales go over $30,000 in four consecutive calendar quarters; ride-sharing drivers must register from their first fare.
- 5
Keep, fix or switch
Double down on what pays, drop what doesn't, and set money aside for tax as soon as income becomes regular, because no tax is withheld from most side income.
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The skills involved
What you'll need to learn
Choose a side hustle that fits a Canadian week
Match ideas to your hours, season, commute and contract. Our guide on how to choose a side hustle walks through a simple scorecard.
Report side income to the CRA
Understand that gig, freelance and online selling income is generally self-employment income, how Form T2125 works, and which business expenses such as platform fees and materials you may claim.
Understand the GST/HST small supplier rule
The $30,000 threshold is measured on gross taxable sales, not profit, over four consecutive calendar quarters or a single quarter, and commercial ride-sharing is an exception that requires registration from the start.
Know what platforms report
Under the digital platform reporting rules in force since 2024, platforms report sellers to the CRA unless they made fewer than 30 sales of goods totalling $2,800 or less in the year, and they send you a copy by January 31.
Sell locally and online in Canada
Use Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay, Etsy and Poshmark well, price items from sold listings and meet buyers safely. See our Facebook Marketplace guide.
Win your first freelance clients
Build a few samples, set up a profile on Upwork or Fiverr and pitch consistently. Our guide on how to start freelancing covers the first steps.
Calculate your real hourly pay
Subtract platform fees, gas, vehicle wear, supplies and a tax set-aside before you decide an idea is worth your evenings.
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Realistic expectations
Canadian side hustles compared (ranges, not promises, as of 2026)
| Side hustle | Startup cost | Platforms or channels in Canada | Time to first income | Rule or catch to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling things you already own | None | Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, eBay | Days to a few weeks | Limited by what you own; meet buyers safely |
| Reselling bought items | Low to moderate (stock) | Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark | A few weeks | Profit from buying to resell is business income to report |
| Delivery and ride apps | Low if you already have a vehicle | Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart | One to two weeks after approval | Gas and vehicle wear cut real pay; ride-sharing requires GST/HST registration from the first fare |
| Local services (pet care, snow clearing, tutoring) | Low | Neighbours, local groups, Rover | One to four weeks | Seasonal demand; depends on reviews and your area |
| Freelancing (writing, design, admin) | Low if you have a computer | Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn | Several weeks to a few months | Slow to win first clients; platform fees and payout holds |
| Handmade or digital products | Low to moderate | Etsy, your own shop | Several weeks to months | Listing and transaction fees; slow to build |
Illustrative ranges; results vary by province, skill and time invested. Tax rules from Canada.ca (T2125, GST/HST small supplier, ride-sharing, digital platform reporting) as of 2026. Check current platform availability and terms before you start.
Is it right for you?
Who this is for — and who it isn't
This is for you if…
- Canadian residents with a job, studies or family who can set aside a few regular hours a week
- Beginners who want to make money online in Canada without following US-only advice
- People already selling on Marketplace or driving for an app who want to report it properly
- Anyone who wants to understand the CRA and GST/HST basics before the side income grows
This is NOT for you if…
- Anyone expecting a full-time income from a few hours a week
- People who need a large sum within days to cover an emergency; side hustles usually ramp up too slowly
- Anyone hoping to keep side income off their tax return
- People who need personalised tax advice; for that, contact the CRA or a qualified accountant
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Oct 3, 2026
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Every guide is checked against official sources. See our editorial policy.
From readers of the ebook
What buyers told us
“I found some interesting ideas for earning extra income in my spare time.”
Emily S. · ebook buyer “The examples helped me think about how I could use my skills for freelance work.”
James M. · ebook buyer “I liked exploring extra-income options that could fit around my studies.”
Olivia R. · ebook buyer “The information gave me a starting point for planning a small side project.”
William A. · ebook buyer “I felt more organized after outlining what I could offer and how much time I had available.”
Charlotte P. · ebook buyer
Shared by buyers who agreed to publication. These are individual experiences, not typical results, and none of them describes earnings. See our earnings disclaimer.
Who's behind this
Why trust Getback
Getback publishes free, practical guides on making money online and managing it well. We show real costs, realistic timelines and the trade-offs most “gurus” skip — and we never promise income. Read how we research and update every guide in our editorial policy.
Go deeper
Compare every path before you commit
The ebook
The Honest Guide to Making Money Online
A practical, beginner-friendly ebook about realistic ways to earn money online. Instead of promising quick or guaranteed income, it explains how each method works, what it may cost to start, the skills involved, common mistakes to avoid and practical first steps.
- Freelancing & remote work
- Side hustles
- Affiliate marketing & content
- Digital products & selling online
- AI tools & automation
- Other legitimate paths — compared honestly
How the ebook fits: The ebook compares realistic ways to earn on the side and online, including freelancing, selling online, digital products and side hustles, with the startup costs, skills and common mistakes of each. It is written for an international reader, not as a Canadian tax guide: for CRA and GST/HST rules, use this page and Canada.ca, and check your own situation.
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The Honest Guide to Making Money Online
Today's price is shown at checkout in your local currency. Payment and delivery by Hotmart.
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Free PDF
The Side Hustles starter checklist
Every step to get started, a 7-day plan, the numbers to track and the scams to skip — on two printable pages.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report side hustle income in Canada?
Generally yes. The CRA says gig, freelance and online selling income is generally self-employment income that you report on your return, usually with Form T2125, and you can claim eligible business expenses against it.
When do I need to register for GST/HST?
Once your worldwide taxable sales go over $30,000 in a single calendar quarter or over four consecutive calendar quarters, you are no longer a small supplier and must register. Commercial ride-sharing drivers must register from their first fare, whatever they earn.
Do apps like Etsy, eBay or Uber report my income to the CRA?
Since 2024, digital platforms report seller information and earnings to the CRA, unless a seller made fewer than 30 sales of goods totalling $2,800 or less in the year. Platforms also send you a copy of what they report by January 31.
What is the best way to make money online in Canada as a beginner?
Selling things you already own and offering one service you can already do are the simplest starts. Freelancing and selling products take longer but can grow; our beginner guide to making money online compares the paths.
Which side hustles pay quickly in Canada?
Delivery apps and local services usually pay fastest, often weekly, while freelancing and online stores take longer to build. Our guide to side hustles that pay weekly explains how payout schedules work.
What exactly is The Honest Guide to Making Money Online?
It's a beginner-friendly ebook that compares realistic ways to earn money online — freelancing, remote work, side hustles, affiliate marketing, digital products, AI tools, selling online and other legitimate paths. For each one it explains how it works, what it may cost to start, the skills involved, common mistakes and practical first steps. It's an overview to help you choose, not a specialist manual on a single method.
Who is it for?
Beginners who want an honest map before they spend time or money — people with a job, students, parents at home — and who are willing to put in consistent effort. It is not for anyone looking for a shortcut.
How long until I see results?
It varies a lot and depends on your skills, effort, market and execution. Many beginners need weeks to months of consistent work before earning anything meaningful, and some never do. Anyone promising fixed results or timelines is not being honest with you.
How much does it cost?
The price is shown at checkout in your own currency, as a one-time payment. Several of the methods in the ebook can be started with little or no money beyond a phone or computer; paid tools are explained with their real costs before you decide.
How do I get it after buying?
Payment and delivery are handled by Hotmart. After checkout you receive an email with access to the ebook, available right away.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. You have a 7-day money-back guarantee under Hotmart's refund policy. If it isn't for you, request a refund within 7 days of purchase and you get your money back.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. It's a digital ebook you can read on a phone, tablet or computer.
Is this legit or a scam?
The ebook is sold through Hotmart, a large digital-products platform, and comes with a money-back guarantee. It doesn't promise income — it explains methods, costs and risks so you can decide for yourself.
Side Hustles in Canada: Choose One That Fits, and Do the CRA Side Right
Freelancing, local services, delivery apps and making money online in Canada can all add income, but most guides are written for the US, with 1099 forms, platforms that don't operate here and numbers in US dollars. The free step-by-step method below shows how to pick a side hustle that fits your week, test it cheaply and report it properly to the CRA. Most people earn modest amounts in the first months.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
Free Side Hustles in Canada guides
Sell Online
How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace Safely
How to sell on Facebook Marketplace: list items that sell, meet buyers safely, take payment without getting scammed, and when Meta's protections apply.
· 8 min read
Sell Online
How to Sell on Poshmark: A Beginner's Guide
How to sell on Poshmark step by step: set up your closet, list and price items, get seen with sharing and offers, ship the prepaid label and get paid.
· 8 min read
Also consider: Side Hustles · Freelancing With AI · or browse every way to make money online.
Earnings disclaimer: Results vary from person to person and depend on effort, market and execution. This is educational material and does not guarantee earnings. See our full earnings disclaimer.