Grist Pad

Net income

The miller's toll on side income

Longer note · updated October 2026

The price a client pays isn't what you keep. Several small costs come out first, and together they can be a large share.

The usual scoops

  • Platform fee: the share a marketplace or app keeps
  • Payment fee: charges for receiving or withdrawing money, including currency conversion
  • Tools and materials: software, supplies, postage, fuel
  • Tax: the part you should set aside for your tax authority

Work out your own toll

Take one month of side income. Add up every cost from the list above. Divide the costs by the income to see what share the "miller" takes.

Use it when pricing

If your toll is 40%, a job paying 100 leaves about 60. Decide whether that's worth the hours before you accept.

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