As Canada prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, new research from Employment Hero, an AI-powered employment platform, points to an underappreciated dimension of how Canadians are thinking about the event: not just as spectators, but as workers willing to restructure their professional lives around it. Fourteen percent of Canadians say they would likely consider taking on temporary or gig work tied to a major event such as the FIFA World Cup.

Nothing kills side hustle momentum like a tax bill you didn’t see coming. Here’s what to understand before the IRS makes it interesting for you. Self-employment income is taxed differently. When you’re an employee, your employer splits FICA taxes with you. When you’re self-employed, you pay both sides — currently around 15.3% on net self-employment income, on top of your regular income tax. This surprises a lot of first-year side hustlers badly.

Side hustles have become an increasingly popular method for individuals looking to bootstrap their way into entrepreneurship. Bootstrapping, the practice of building a business from the ground up with minimal outside investment, often requires creative and resourceful approaches to generate the necessary capital. A side hustle, typically started alongside a full-time job or primary source of income, provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to test business ideas, build skills, and accumulate financial resources without the pressure of relying solely on a fledgling business for their livelihood.

The urge to brag about your blossoming side hustle, that Etsy shop finally gaining traction, or the freelance writing clients rolling in, might be strong. But before you excitedly announce your newfound entrepreneurial spirit to your boss, take a deep breath and consider this: sometimes, silence is golden. There’s a certain mystique to keeping your side hustle under wraps. It allows you to nurture your passion project without the prying eyes of the corporate world.