Best Side Hustles in Canada: 12 Proven Ways to Earn Extra Income in 2026

The best side hustles in Canada are the ones that fit around a job you already have — evenings, weekends, or a few flexible hours here and there — without requiring you to quit anything or take on serious financial risk.

This guide covers 12 side hustles genuinely suited to that reality: gig-economy driving and delivery, renting out assets you already own, local task-based work, and flexible freelance and service work, along with realistic pay expectations and what each one actually costs to start.

Unlike a full career change, a side hustle should be low-risk to test. Every option below can be started without quitting your day job, and most can be scaled up or down depending on how much time you actually have in a given week.

Quick Comparison Table

Side Hustle	Time Commitment	Startup Cost	Typical Earnings Structure	Canadian Availability
Food delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Skip)	Flexible, by the hour	Vehicle/bike, phone	Per-delivery + tips	Yes, most cities
Rideshare driving (Uber, Lyft)	Flexible, by the hour	Vehicle meeting requirements	Per-trip fare share	Yes, most cities
Renting your car (Turo)	Minimal, passive	None (you already own the car)	Per-booking, you set price	Yes
Renting a room/property (Airbnb)	Moderate (hosting duties)	Furnishing, permits in some cities	Per-night rate	Yes, with municipal restrictions in some cities
TaskRabbit / local task work	Flexible, by the task	None	Hourly, self-set rate	Yes, 9+ cities
Grocery delivery/shopping (Instacart)	Flexible, by the hour	Vehicle	Per-batch + tips	Yes, most cities
Weekend flipping/reselling	Flexible	Small (sourcing inventory)	Profit margin per item	Yes
Freelance skills (writing, design, dev)	Flexible, project-based	None	Per-project/hourly	Yes
Weekend photography	Flexible, by booking	Camera equipment	Per-session/event	Yes
Seasonal lawn care/snow removal	Seasonal, by the job	Basic equipment	Per-job or per-season contract	Yes
Pet sitting/dog walking (Rover)	Flexible, by booking	None (background check)	Per-booking	Yes
Tax season tax preparation	Seasonal (Feb–April)	Course/certification	Per-return fee	Yes

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1. Food Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes)

What it is

Food delivery apps let you earn money delivering restaurant orders (and in some cases groceries) to customers using a car, bike, or e-bike, on a schedule you control.

How it works

You accept delivery requests through the app, pick up orders from restaurants, and deliver them to customers, earning a base fee per delivery plus customer tips. Multiple couriers can run more than one app at once (“multi-apping”) to reduce downtime between orders.

How to get started

1. Apply through the app for your chosen platform(s) — DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Skip the Dishes are the three major players in Canada.
2. Complete identity verification and, for driving, a background/driving record check.
3. Choose your vehicle type (car, bike, or e-bike, depending on what the platform and your city support).
4. Log in and go online during peak hours (lunch and dinner rushes typically pay best) to maximize order volume.

Requirements

Minimum age requirements (typically 18-19+ depending on province and vehicle type), a smartphone, and for driving, a valid licence, insurance, and a vehicle meeting the platform’s requirements. Bike couriers face lower barriers to entry since no vehicle registration is required.

Earning potential

Real-world Canadian courier earnings have been reported in the range of roughly $400–$900 CAD per week for those working peak windows consistently, with multi-apping (running two platforms at once) reportedly lifting effective hourly pay by 20–30% compared to a single app. As of September 2024, British Columbia introduced a minimum pay standard for app-based gig workers (roughly $20.88/hour for time spent on an active delivery), the first province to do so — other provinces do not currently have equivalent minimum pay guarantees for gig platform work, so actual per-hour earnings before this kind of protection can vary well below that figure depending on order volume and city.

Payment methods

Direct deposit, typically on a weekly schedule, with some platforms offering instant cash-out for a small fee.

Costs and fees

No signup fee, but you’re responsible for your own vehicle costs (gas, maintenance, insurance) as a self-employed contractor — these are also deductible business expenses at tax time.

Advantages

• Extremely flexible — work whenever you want, for however long you want
• No interview process; approval is largely automated
• Can multi-app across platforms to maximize order volume during a shift

Disadvantages

• You’re a self-employed contractor, responsible for your own vehicle costs, CPP contributions, and taxes (no T4 is issued)
• Earnings fluctuate significantly by time of day, weather, and city demand
• Vehicle wear and tear, gas, and insurance costs eat into gross earnings

Who it’s best for

Anyone with reliable transportation (car, bike, or e-bike) and flexible evening or weekend hours who wants to start earning almost immediately.

Canadian availability

All three platforms operate in most major Canadian cities and many mid-sized ones.

Official website: doordash.com · ubereats.com · skipthedishes.com

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2. Rideshare Driving (Uber, Lyft)

What it is

Rideshare driving lets you earn money transporting passengers using your own vehicle, on a schedule you set.

How it works

You accept ride requests through the app, pick up and drop off passengers, and earn a share of the fare, which is calculated based on distance, time, and demand-based pricing.

How to get started

1. Apply through the Uber Driver or Lyft app, providing your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
2. Complete a background check, which can take several days to process.
3. Ensure your vehicle meets the platform’s age and condition requirements (these vary by city).
4. Complete any required in-person or virtual vehicle inspection before your first trip.

Requirements

A valid driver’s licence (minimum 1–3 years of driving experience, depending on the city), a four-door vehicle meeting age and condition standards, provincially compliant insurance that covers ride-hailing, and passing a background check.

Earning potential

Similar to food delivery, earnings vary significantly by city, time of day, and demand — driving during weekend nights and rush hours typically pays more per hour than off-peak daytime driving. As with delivery apps, British Columbia’s gig worker minimum pay standard applies to active trip time for rideshare drivers in that province; other provinces don’t currently have an equivalent guarantee.

Payment methods

Direct deposit, typically weekly, with instant cash-out options available for a fee on most platforms.

Costs and fees

No signup fee, but you’re responsible for gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance (specifically ride-hailing-compliant coverage, which may cost more than standard personal auto insurance), and vehicle depreciation as a self-employed contractor.

Advantages

• Full control over your schedule
• No dedicated employer — work as much or as little as you want across one or more platforms
• Vehicle expenses are tax-deductible business costs

Disadvantages

• Ride-hailing insurance can be a meaningful added cost depending on your province and existing policy
• Vehicle wear and tear is significant with high driving volume
• Self-employed status means handling your own CPP contributions and tax filing (using Form T2125)

Who it’s best for

Drivers with a qualifying vehicle and insurance who want flexible, on-demand income, particularly those already commuting or driving regularly.

Canadian availability

Available in most major Canadian cities; coverage in smaller communities is more limited.

Official website: uber.com/ca · lyft.com

Read also: Online Jobs That Pay Weekly in Canada: 13 Legitimate Options

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3. Renting Out Your Car (Turo)

What it is

Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace where you list your own vehicle for other people to rent, similar to Airbnb but for cars.

How it works

You list your car with photos, a description, and your own pricing (or let Turo’s algorithm suggest a price), and renters book it through the app for anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. You hand off the car (in person or via a lockbox/remote unlock, depending on your setup) and it’s returned at the end of the booking.

How to get started

1. Create a free Turo host account.
2. List your vehicle with clear photos, an accurate description, and your availability calendar.
3. Set your own daily rate or use Turo’s suggested pricing tool.
4. Choose a protection plan level, which affects your payout percentage and your liability coverage in case of damage.

Requirements

A vehicle in good condition meeting Turo’s age and mileage guidelines (requirements vary by vehicle type and province), a clean vehicle title, and a valid driver’s licence to verify ownership. You do not need a commercial insurance policy — Turo provides protection plans for hosts.

Earning potential

Turo reports that Canadian hosts have earned an average of around $700–$732 CAD per month, based on the company’s own published host earnings data, though this figure has not been reduced for the host’s own vehicle ownership costs like depreciation, maintenance, and fuel used to reposition the car between bookings. Some hosts scale this into a larger operation with multiple vehicles, though that shifts the activity from a side hustle toward a small business.

Payment methods

Direct deposit to a Canadian bank account after each completed trip, minus Turo’s host fee.

Costs and fees

Free to list. Turo takes a percentage of each booking (the exact rate depends on which protection plan tier you select, since plans with more built-in protection carry a larger fee share) and you’re responsible for cleaning, minor maintenance, and any costs not covered by your chosen protection plan.

Advantages

• Genuinely passive relative to driving-based side hustles — you’re monetizing a car that would otherwise sit idle roughly 95% of the time
• No requirement to be present during most of the rental period
• Scalable if you want to add more vehicles later

Disadvantages

• Wear, mileage, and potential damage to your vehicle from renters
• Payout percentage varies meaningfully depending on the protection plan you choose
• Requires logistics for handoff and pickup unless you invest in a lockbox/remote-access system

Who it’s best for

Car owners whose vehicle sits unused for meaningful stretches of time and who are comfortable with occasional renter handoffs.

Canadian availability

Available across Canada; Turo has operated in the Canadian market since 2016.

Official website: turo.com/ca

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4. Renting a Room or Property (Airbnb)

What it is

Airbnb lets you earn money by renting out a spare room, a basement suite, or an entire property to travelers on a short-term basis.

How it works

You create a listing with photos and a description, set your pricing and availability calendar, and guests book directly through the platform, with Airbnb handling payment processing and providing host protections.

How to get started

1. Create a free host account and list your space with clear photos and an honest description.
2. Set your nightly rate (Airbnb provides pricing suggestions based on comparable local listings), house rules, and availability.
3. Check your municipality’s short-term rental regulations before listing — many Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and others) require registration, a business licence, or restrict short-term rentals to a host’s principal residence.
4. Prepare the space, respond promptly to booking inquiries, and manage guest turnover (cleaning, key exchange, communication).

Requirements

A space that meets basic safety standards, compliance with your municipality’s short-term rental bylaws (this varies significantly by city and has tightened in several major Canadian markets in recent years), and time for guest communication and turnover between stays.

Earning potential

Highly dependent on location, property type, and how much of the space you’re renting (a private room vs. an entire home). Cities with high tourism or business travel demand generally support higher nightly rates, though increased municipal regulation in several major Canadian cities has reduced the number of eligible listings and, in some cases, capped how much of a property can be rented short-term.

Payment methods

Direct deposit to a Canadian bank account, paid out after each guest’s check-in.

Costs and fees

Airbnb charges hosts a service fee (typically a percentage of the booking subtotal); you’re also responsible for cleaning costs, any furnishing or setup costs, and municipal licensing fees where required.

Advantages

• Can generate meaningful income from space you’re not otherwise using
• Flexible — block out dates when you need the space for yourself
• Airbnb provides guest screening and host protection programs

Disadvantages

• Municipal short-term rental regulations have tightened significantly in several major Canadian cities and vary a great deal by location — verify local rules before listing, since non-compliance can result in fines
• Requires ongoing time for cleaning, guest communication, and turnover
• Income is seasonal and demand-dependent in many markets

Who it’s best for

Homeowners or renters (with landlord permission, where applicable) with spare space in a city where short-term rentals are permitted and in reasonable local demand.

Canadian availability

Available across Canada, subject to municipal regulations that vary significantly by city — check your specific municipality’s rules first.

Official website: airbnb.ca

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5. TaskRabbit and Local Task-Based Work

What it is

TaskRabbit connects people needing help with everyday tasks — furniture assembly, moving help, yard work, cleaning, minor home repairs — with local workers (“Taskers”) who set their own rates and schedule.

How it works

You create a Tasker profile, list the categories of tasks you’re willing to do and your hourly rate for each, and clients in your area book you directly through the app for specific jobs.

How to get started

1. Apply to become a Tasker, which includes identity verification and, in most cities, a background check.
2. Choose your task categories (furniture assembly, moving help, yard work, cleaning, and others) based on your actual skills and equipment.
3. Set your hourly rate for each category — TaskRabbit shows you what similar Taskers in your city charge as a benchmark.
4. Accept bookings, communicate clearly with clients about scope, and build reviews to improve your visibility in search results.

Requirements

Must be 18 or older, have a bank account for direct deposit, and typically a credit card on file; specific tasks (like assembling furniture or minor repairs) benefit from having your own basic tools.

Earning potential

TaskRabbit jobs in Canada commonly pay in the range of roughly $20–$60 CAD per hour, depending on the task category, your city, and your experience — since you set your own rate, your effective earnings depend heavily on local demand and how competitively you’re priced relative to other Taskers in your category.

Payment methods

Direct deposit to a Canadian bank account.

Costs and fees

Free to sign up; TaskRabbit takes a service fee from each completed task (charged to the client on top of your listed rate, though the platform’s cut affects overall pricing dynamics).

Advantages

• You set your own rates and choose which task categories to accept
• No specialized certification required for most task categories
• Genuinely flexible — accept or decline individual jobs as they come in

Disadvantages

• Available only in a limited number of Canadian cities compared to delivery or rideshare apps
• Requires transportation to the client’s location in most cases
• Physical task categories (moving, yard work) can be demanding

Who it’s best for

Handy, physically capable people in one of TaskRabbit’s Canadian cities who have basic tools and want to set their own hourly rate for practical work.

Canadian availability

Available in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Victoria, Quebec City, and surrounding communities.

Official website: taskrabbit.ca

Read also: Online Jobs That Pay Daily in Canada: 11 Ways to Get Paid Same-Day

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6. Grocery Shopping and Delivery (Instacart)

What it is

Instacart lets you earn money by shopping for and delivering groceries to customers on behalf of partner grocery stores.

How it works

You accept batch orders through the app, shop for the requested items at a partner store, and deliver them to the customer’s address, earning a base payment plus customer tips.

How to get started

1. Apply through the Instacart Shopper app and complete identity verification.
2. Choose whether to shop as a full-service shopper (shopping and delivering) or, where available, an in-store-only shopper.
3. Complete any required background check.
4. Log in during your available hours and accept batches as they appear.

Requirements

Minimum age requirements (typically 18+), a vehicle for full-service shopping (not required for in-store-only roles), and a smartphone.

Earning potential

Similar to other gig delivery work, pay is a combination of a base per-batch amount plus customer tips, and total earnings vary by order size, distance, and time of day — batches during peak grocery shopping windows (weekday evenings, weekends) tend to pay more reliably than off-peak hours.

Payment methods

Weekly direct deposit, with an instant cash-out option available for a small fee.

Costs and fees

No signup fee; full-service shoppers cover their own vehicle costs (gas, maintenance) as self-employed contractors.

Advantages

• Flexible scheduling, similar to food delivery apps
• In-store-only shopping option available in some markets for those without a vehicle
• No interview process required

Disadvantages

• Batch availability and pay can be inconsistent depending on time and location
• Full-service shoppers bear their own vehicle costs
• Self-employed contractor status means handling your own taxes and CPP contributions

Who it’s best for

Anyone comfortable navigating a grocery store efficiently who wants flexible, no-interview gig income, especially those without a car who can access in-store-only roles.

Canadian availability

Available in most major Canadian cities.

Official website: instacart.com

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7. Weekend Flipping and Reselling

What it is

Buying undervalued items — from thrift stores, garage sales, clearance sales, or online marketplaces — and reselling them for a profit on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or eBay.

How it works

You source items below market value, clean or lightly refurbish them if needed, and relist them at a higher price, keeping the difference as profit after accounting for your time and any costs.

How to get started

1. Start by researching what sells reliably in your area (furniture, electronics, brand-name clothing, and collectibles are common categories).
2. Source inventory from thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, clearance racks, or free/cheap listings that others have undervalued.
3. Clean, photograph well, and price items based on comparable sold listings (not just what’s currently listed, which can be aspirational pricing).
4. List across multiple platforms (Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are the most common in Canada) to maximize visibility.

Requirements

No formal requirements — just time to source items, some storage space, and enough product knowledge in your chosen category to spot underpriced items.

Earning potential

Profit margins vary enormously based on category, sourcing skill, and local demand. This is genuinely profit-driven rather than hourly — someone who’s built strong sourcing instincts in a specific niche (vintage clothing, power tools, furniture) tends to outperform generalists.

Payment methods

Cash or Interac e-Transfer for most local marketplace transactions; PayPal or platform payment processing for eBay sales.

Costs and fees

Your primary cost is the inventory itself; Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji are free for local pickup listings, while eBay charges final value fees on completed sales.

Advantages

• Low starting capital if you begin small
• Skills compound over time as you learn what sells well and where to source it
• Flexible — do as much or as little sourcing and selling as your schedule allows

Disadvantages

• Time-intensive relative to per-item profit, especially early on
• Requires storage space for inventory
• Success depends heavily on developing genuine category expertise

Who it’s best for

Patient, detail-oriented people who enjoy thrifting, negotiating, and research, and who have some storage space and time to source and photograph items.

Canadian availability

Fully available through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and eBay across the country.

Official website: kijiji.ca · facebook.com/marketplace

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8. Freelance Skills Work (Writing, Design, Development)

What it is

Offering a marketable skill — writing, graphic design, web development, video editing — to clients on a project or hourly basis, worked around your existing job’s schedule.

How it works

You find clients through freelance marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr) or direct outreach, complete defined projects, and get paid per project or per hour, entirely on your own schedule outside your primary job’s hours.

How to get started

1. Identify a specific, marketable skill you already have from your career, education, or a hobby.
2. Build a small portfolio, even from personal projects if you don’t yet have paid client work to showcase.
3. Create a profile on a freelance marketplace or start reaching out directly to potential clients in your network.
4. Take on projects sized to fit realistically around your existing job — smaller, well-scoped projects are easier to manage as a side hustle than open-ended ongoing contracts.

Requirements

A genuine, demonstrable skill; no formal certification required in most creative and technical fields.

Earning potential

Highly variable based on skill, specialization, and experience level — this is one of the side hustles with the highest earning ceiling on this list, though it also requires the most upfront effort to build a portfolio and land initial clients.

Payment methods

Direct deposit, e-transfer, PayPal, or invoicing platforms, depending on the client relationship.

Costs and fees

No cost to start beyond your own equipment; freelance marketplaces charge standard service fees if you use them (Fiverr’s flat 20% commission, Upwork’s variable per-contract fee).

Advantages

• Highest earning ceiling of any option on this list for in-demand, specialized skills
• Fully flexible around a day job’s schedule
• Builds a portfolio that could eventually support a full transition to self-employment, if desired

Disadvantages

• Requires real upfront effort to build a portfolio and land the first few clients
• Client work can be unpredictable in timing, sometimes clashing with your day job’s demands
• No employment protections since you’re self-employed for this income

Who it’s best for

Anyone with an underused professional or creative skill and the discipline to manage client work around a full-time job.

Canadian availability

Fully available; Canadian freelancers serve both domestic and international clients.

Official website: N/A (see freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr)

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9. Weekend Photography

What it is

Offering photography services — events, portraits, real estate, or small business product photography — on weekends or evenings around a primary job.

How it works

You book clients directly (often through word of mouth, social media, or local classifieds), shoot the session, edit the photos, and deliver a final gallery, typically charging a flat session rate.

How to get started

1. Build a portfolio, initially through friends, family, or discounted practice sessions if you’re new.
2. Decide on a niche (events, family portraits, real estate, headshots, product photography for small businesses) since specialization helps with both marketing and pricing.
3. Set up simple booking and payment processes (even a basic online form and e-transfer works when starting out).
4. Market locally through Instagram, community Facebook groups, and word of mouth.

Requirements

A camera and basic editing skills (even a good smartphone camera can work for some niches like small product photography); no formal certification required, though photography skill and a strong portfolio are essential to competing.

Earning potential

Session-based pricing varies enormously by niche, region, and experience — event and wedding photography command the highest rates but also the most competition and equipment investment; smaller niches like local business product photography can be a lower-barrier entry point.

Payment methods

E-transfer, PayPal, or invoicing platforms, arranged directly with clients.

Costs and fees

Camera equipment (a meaningful upfront investment if you don’t already own gear), editing software subscriptions, and potentially liability insurance for event work.

Advantages

• Turns an existing hobby or skill into weekend income
• Flexible scheduling — take on as many or as few bookings as your weekends allow
• No platform fees since you typically work with clients directly

Disadvantages

• Meaningful upfront equipment cost if starting from scratch
• Building a client base and reputation takes time
• Weekend/event-based work can compete with personal time

Who it’s best for

Hobbyist photographers with decent equipment and an eye for composition who want to monetize weekends without a full career change.

Canadian availability

Fully available; this is direct client work rather than a platform-based service.

Official website: N/A (direct client work; market through social media and local networks)

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10. Seasonal Lawn Care and Snow Removal

What it is

Providing lawn mowing, yard maintenance, and landscaping in warmer months, or driveway and walkway snow removal in winter — genuinely seasonal, weather-driven side income well suited to the Canadian climate.

How it works

You either work through a local task platform (like TaskRabbit, where yard work and winter tasks are listed categories) or build a small local client base directly, typically billing per visit or through a seasonal contract.

How to get started

1. Decide whether to work through a platform (faster to start, but with platform fees) or build direct local clients (more setup effort, but no platform cut).
2. Invest in basic equipment appropriate to your service (a lawn mower and trimmer for summer work; a snow blower and shovels for winter, or a plow attachment if offering driveway clearing by vehicle).
3. Set per-visit or seasonal contract pricing, and consider offering a season-long contract to build predictable, recurring income rather than one-off jobs.
4. Market directly to your neighbourhood or local community groups, since this work benefits enormously from proximity and word of mouth.

Requirements

Basic equipment appropriate to the service and physical capability for outdoor manual labour; no certification required for most residential work, though some municipalities may require registration for larger commercial-scale operations.

Earning potential

Per-job or per-season contract pricing varies by region, property size, and service scope; snow removal in particular can be lucrative during and immediately after storms due to high demand, though income is inherently unpredictable and weather-dependent.

Payment methods

Cash, e-transfer, or seasonal contract invoicing, arranged directly with clients.

Costs and fees

Equipment is the primary upfront cost (which can be significant for snow removal equipment); ongoing costs include fuel, maintenance, and, if applicable, vehicle insurance for plow work.

Advantages

• Genuinely well-suited to Canada’s seasonal climate — two distinct earning seasons (lawn care, snow removal) rather than one
• Recurring seasonal contracts provide more predictable income than one-off gigs
• Low competition in some neighbourhoods compared to app-based gig work

Disadvantages

• Physically demanding outdoor work
• Weather-dependent and inherently seasonal — income isn’t steady year-round unless you do both lawn care and snow removal
• Equipment costs can be a meaningful upfront investment

Who it’s best for

Physically capable people in a suburban or residential area willing to invest in basic equipment for genuinely seasonal, weather-driven income.

Canadian availability

Available anywhere with residential properties; particularly viable in suburban and small-town areas.

Official website: N/A (direct client work, or via TaskRabbit’s yard work and winter task categories in eligible cities)

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11. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking (Rover)

What it is

Home-based or local pet care — boarding, house sitting, drop-in visits, or dog walking — arranged through a marketplace platform like Rover, ideal for evenings and weekends.

How it works

You create a sitter profile, set your rates and availability, and pet owners in your area book and pay through the platform.

How to get started

1. Apply to become a Rover sitter and complete the required background check.
2. Build a profile with photos and a description of your experience with animals.
3. Set your service area, availability (evenings and weekends work well alongside a day job), and pricing.
4. Accept bookings and build reviews over time.

Requirements

Passing a background check; reliable access to a pet-friendly space for boarding; no formal certification required.

Earning potential

Self-set rates vary by service type and city; boarding and house sitting generally pay more per booking than single drop-in visits, and income builds gradually as you accumulate reviews.

Payment methods

Direct deposit through the platform.

Costs and fees

Free to apply; the platform takes a commission from your earnings, which varies by service type.

Advantages

• Fits naturally around evening and weekend availability
• Good option for animal lovers already comfortable around pets
• Available in most Canadian cities and many smaller towns

Disadvantages

• Inconsistent income before reviews build
• Liability for the pet’s wellbeing during bookings
• Platform commission reduces take-home pay

Who it’s best for

Animal lovers with evening or weekend availability and a pet-friendly living situation.

Canadian availability

Available across Canada, including most major cities and many smaller communities.

Official website: rover.com/ca

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12. Seasonal Tax Preparation

What it is

Preparing personal income tax returns for individuals during Canada’s tax season (generally February through the end of April), either independently or through a seasonal position with an established tax preparation firm.

How it works

After completing training (often provided by the firm itself for seasonal hires) or a tax preparation course, you prepare individual tax returns using standard tax software, either as a seasonal employee of a tax preparation company or as an independent preparer with your own small client base.

How to get started

1. Complete a tax preparation course — several established Canadian tax preparation companies offer their own training programs specifically to recruit seasonal preparers, often at low or no cost if you commit to working the season.
2. Apply for seasonal positions in the fall or early winter, ahead of tax season, since hiring for these roles typically ramps up before February.
3. Alternatively, build a small independent client base if you already have relevant experience or credentials, using professional tax software.
4. Complete required continuing education if you plan to return in future tax seasons, as tax rules change annually.

Requirements

Strong attention to detail and comfort with numbers; formal accounting credentials aren’t required for basic personal tax preparation roles with established firms, though independent preparers handling more complex returns benefit from bookkeeping or accounting background.

Earning potential

This is genuinely seasonal, concentrated income over roughly a 10–12 week period rather than year-round side income; pay structures vary between hourly seasonal employment and per-return fees for independent preparers, with experienced preparers handling more complex returns generally commanding higher per-return fees.

Payment methods

Payroll direct deposit for seasonal employees; e-transfer or invoicing for independent preparers.

Costs and fees

Training course costs (sometimes offset or covered if hired by the firm providing the training); tax software subscription costs for independent preparers.

Advantages

• Concentrated, predictable seasonal income during a specific window each year
• Builds genuinely valuable financial literacy and skills
• Can be repeated annually with growing expertise and, for independent preparers, a growing client base

Disadvantages

• Highly concentrated workload during tax season, with essentially no work the rest of the year from this specific hustle
• Requires accuracy — mistakes affect a client’s tax filing and can create liability
• Independent preparers need familiarity with current tax rules, which change annually

Who it’s best for

Detail-oriented people comfortable with numbers who want a concentrated, seasonal income boost rather than year-round side work, and who don’t mind a demanding few months each spring.

Canadian availability

Widely available through seasonal positions at established Canadian tax preparation firms, or independently once you’re comfortable with tax software and current CRA rules.

Official website: N/A (search seasonal tax preparer positions at established Canadian tax preparation companies each fall)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report side hustle income on my taxes? Yes. All income from side hustles — gig driving, delivery, renting property or a vehicle, freelance work, or reselling for profit — is taxable in Canada and must be reported to the CRA. Gig platform work (delivery, rideshare, Instacart) is treated as self-employment income reported on Form T2125, and you’re generally responsible for related expenses and deductions, plus your own CPP contributions since no employer is withholding them.

Which side hustle is easiest to start immediately? Food delivery and rideshare apps generally have the fastest approval process since it’s largely automated identity and background verification rather than an interview. Reselling items you already own can start even faster, with no application process at all.

Do gig workers in Canada get minimum wage protections? As of September 2024, British Columbia became the first Canadian province to guarantee a minimum pay standard (currently around $20.88/hour for active work time) for app-based gig workers on platforms like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Skip the Dishes. Other provinces do not currently have an equivalent guarantee, meaning per-hour earnings can vary more in those markets depending on demand and order/trip volume.

Can I do a side hustle while employed full-time? Generally yes, but check your employment contract for any conflict-of-interest, non-compete, or moonlighting clauses, particularly if your side hustle is in the same industry as your employer or could be seen as competing with them.

How much should I set aside for taxes from side hustle income? Since no employer withholds tax from most side hustle income, it’s generally wise to set aside a meaningful portion of what you earn for income tax and, where applicable, GST/HST once you cross the CRA’s small supplier threshold. Consult the CRA’s current guidelines or a tax professional for guidance specific to your income level and hustle type.

Which side hustles require registering a business? Occasional or small-scale gig work, freelancing, and reselling typically don’t require formal business registration to start (you’re generally considered a sole proprietor by default), but if your income grows substantially or you want liability protection, incorporating or registering formally may be worth discussing with an accountant.

Final Thoughts

The right side hustle depends on what you already have available to leverage — a car that sits idle, evenings and weekends free, a marketable skill, or simply a willingness to do physical or task-based work.

Gig-economy apps (delivery, rideshare, Instacart) offer the fastest path to first income with minimal setup, while asset-based options (Turo, Airbnb) can generate more passive income from things you already own. Whatever you choose, track your earnings and expenses from day one, since nearly all of this income is self-employment income you’re responsible for reporting to the CRA.

Read also:

• Online Jobs That Pay Daily in Canada: 11 Ways to Get Paid Same-Day
• Legit Online Jobs in Canada: 11 Verified Options and How to Confirm Any Opportunity Is Real
• Online Jobs That Pay Weekly in Canada: 13 Legitimate Options
• Online Jobs for Beginners in Canada: 12 Legit Entry-Level Options With No Experience Required