Paying Tax as an artist in Ireland?

Heya,

I'm working full time and looking for other ways on occasion to make extra money on the side and am thinking of making my own typography and licensing it online, making some handmade crafts to sell online and also selling stock photography as living in Ireland is becoming mad pricey.

Because I'm in full time employment and this will be just a random gig here and there when I have time how do I go about on the tax side of things to make everything legal?

I looked online most articles address if you're starting a new business yourself or work part time as an artist, but I'm still looking to stay in my full time employment and just do random bits and bobs here and there.

Do I still have to register it as a business? If so what kind? Would you know anywhere where I could get more information on this as when I contacted tax office they just e-mailed me back saying "check our website" and I cannot find anything on this, but literally wanting to make everything legal from day 1 is stopping me to actually make this happen.

Many thanks for your help in advance.

EdgeCase

You might want to also check what the definition of art is too.
That could be considered to be commercial graphic design.

Non-commercial art that falls within certain categories is tax exempt:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/tax/income_tax/artists_exemption_from_income_tax.html

For anything else, you have the choice of just registering as self employed and keeping accounts and doing a tax return at the end of the year for any self employed income.

Or, you can go through the process of forming a company (which is quite easy) but if you don't need a company, I would argue it's totally unnecessary.

BackforFPL

EdgeCase wrote: »

You might want to also check what the definition of art is too.
That could be considered to be commercial graphic design.

Non-commercial art that falls within certain categories is tax exempt:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/tax/income_tax/artists_exemption_from_income_tax.html

From what the OP said I wouldn't think they'll be successful in applying for the artists exemption. Certainly the typography/stock photography end wouldn't be I don't think. Handmade crafts might fall under the 'sculpture' category but I'm not sure. It might be worth calling Revenue to talk to someone.

This page might be handy to get your head around what you need to do tax-wise:

https://www.taxback.com/en/ireland/self-assessed-tax-return/