For the majority of dog walkers, the main motive behind their vocation is a love of pets – and who can blame them…
As dog lovers, we’ll do anything to spend as much time as we can with as many pups as we can, so what could be better than making a living from spending all day every day surrounded by pooches.
It is, however, still a business, meaning that the majority of walkers are self-employed and have a duty to report their earnings…
Is Dog Walking A Taxable Business?
Tailster offers dog walkers a platform to advertise their services and gain exposure to dog owners in their local area. Whilst active on the platform, however, Tailster dog walkers remain self-employed.
This means that walkers have the license to decide their own fees, stipulate their own policies, and determine the overall logistics of their business. We’re here to help you find clients, provide insurance cover and offer extra support as needed.
However you choose to operate your dog walking business, it’s still a business, meaning that all earnings should technically – and, most importantly, legally – be reported to HM Revenue & Customs.
How Much Can I Earn From Dog Walking Before I’m Taxed?
Across any sector of employment, you’re legally entitled to earn £11,850 of tax-free income for the 2018/19 tax year. This means that you take home 100% of your earnings.
If you earn any more than this then, by law, you have to pay tax on it.
Therefore, the amount of tax that you have to pay depends entirely on the nature of your dog walking business. If it’s only a side venture, you probably won’t meet these requirements, whereas if it’s your main source of income, then you’ll likely earn more than this and be subjected to tax deductions.
It’s therefore vital that you maintain records of your earnings so that you can present them to the relevant authorities, should you be required to.
So, Should I Report My Dog Walking Earnings?
In short, the answer is: yes.
Any money that is earned through dog walking is seen as an income – whether this is £10 or £10,000.
The general growth pattern of a dog walking business is dependent on recommendations, meaning that one booking could lead to 5 new clients, which will continue to develop over time.
Of course, if you walk a dog for a neighbour and they give you a one-off payment, there’s no real need to report this. If you are operating a fully-fledged business, however, it’s best to be open about your earnings and avoid any complications further down the line.
As the kids head back to school and the summer comes to an end, Tailster has all of your pet care needs sorted! Whether you’re looking for regular, daily walks or someone to pop in occasionally to check on your pets, we’ve got you covered. Click here for more information on Tailster’s pet walking and sitting services.