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cheesesticks61(Newbie)Newbie
28 Apr 2024

I am an international student currently residing in Australia, and I am seeking clarification on the tax implications of starting a side hustle. I plan to import items and resell them on Facebook Marketplace as a means of generating additional income.

Here are the specifics of my situation:

  1. Nature of Business: My side hustle involves importing items and reselling them on Facebook Marketplace. The profit margin per item is approximately $15.
  2. Income Consistency: The total income generated from this venture will not be substantial, but rather sporadic. The amount transferred to my account will vary from transaction to transaction.
  3. ABN Requirement: I am uncertain whether I need to obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN) for this venture. Given the nature of the business and the relatively low income, I seek clarification on whether an ABN is necessary.
  4. Tax Declaration: Since I will not be providing invoices or receipts to the customer for the items sold, I am unsure about the tax implications. Do I need to declare the income from these transactions?



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3 replies
2,720 views
3 replies

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Most helpful reply

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
28 Apr 2024

As you intend this to be a an income earning activity then the income is assessable and should be included as taxable income on your tax return. (on a business schedule).

Is an ABN required? Well, there is no compulsion to have an ABN to run a "side hustle". It may be required by suppliers or customers and if it is, then you would need to apply for one. It would also be needed if you were required to register for GST. As for not providing an invoice or receipt, what do you do if the customer asks for one?

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Most helpful reply

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
28 Apr 2024

As you intend this to be a an income earning activity then the income is assessable and should be included as taxable income on your tax return. (on a business schedule).

Is an ABN required? Well, there is no compulsion to have an ABN to run a "side hustle". It may be required by suppliers or customers and if it is, then you would need to apply for one. It would also be needed if you were required to register for GST. As for not providing an invoice or receipt, what do you do if the customer asks for one?

Liked by cheesesticks61
cheesesticks61(Newbie)Newbie
29 Apr 2024

Thank you for your response.


"As you intend this to be a an income earning activity then the income is assessable and should be included as taxable income on your tax return. (on a business schedule)."

Do I declare it to an accountant who is doing my taxes(i don't have one. I will just ask someone to do it for me). And what's a business schedule ( I got no idea sorry)


"Is an ABN required? Well, there is no compulsion to have an ABN to run a "side hustle". It may be required by suppliers or customers and if it is, then you would need to apply for one."

I don't think i have to provide gst to the supplier(its a supplier through Alibaba and maybe in the future they may just send the product through DHL directly rather than ordering through the platform). And I wont provide one to the customer as well.


"It would also be needed if you were required to register for GST.

Online I read that you are to register for gst if you sales is 75k+. I doubt I'll even reach a quarter of that.


As for not providing an invoice or receipt, what do you do if the customer asks for one?"

I am just selling on Facebook marketplace. Its like selling used furniture rather than a phone with a warranty card. They will check it on the spot, pay and go , and if it stops working down the line its a issue for them to solve ( they will know about it)


Thanks in advance for your patience and response.


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