Tax time shock for regional gig workers

NORTHERN Rivers creatives and part-time workers could be in for a tax shock this year, as income from side-hustles and gig work is now reported directly to the tax office.

Many locals juggle multiple roles — working part-time, freelancing and picking up casual gigs or digital work to boost their income.

The region has the highest number of creative workers in Australia outside capital cities, and in 2024, research from Reckon found 48 per cent of Byron Bay’s workforce was part-time.

Revenue from digital work, content creation and platform-based services has become a focus for the Australian Tax Office, which now collects gig economy data from platforms such as UberEats, Airtasker, Patreon and OnlyFans.

Arts Northern Rivers executive director Jane Fuller said local creatives and digital workers should pay close attention to their returns.

“Whilst much of the creative arts operates differently to the ‘traditional’ gig economy, many individual artists engage in non-linear income streams such as content creation, online sales, and platform-based work, which all fall under the ATO’s new reporting focus,” Fuller said.

“It’s critical that tailored tax advice is made available for creatives, especially in regions like ours where artists rely on a mix of freelance, part-time and digital income.

“Understanding tax obligations under these new rules is essential for a sector already under considerable pressure.”

CPA Australia tax lead Jenny Wong said people earning through delivery apps, content sites or influencer partnerships must declare all income or risk penalties.

“The ATO will be aware of any income you have received through these types of gig economy platforms,” she said.

“Until this year, individuals have been required to self-declare the income from their side-hustles. Now, nothing will go under the radar.

“Though people might not consider earnings from digital platforms as income in the same way as their regular job, it is all viewed the same way by the ATO.”

CPA Australia advises gig economy workers to declare all income, including gifts and perks, and keep detailed records of earnings and expenses.