Federal side-income checklist (educational, not legal advice)

If you work for the federal government (or a related covered role), after-hours income is not just a side project — it sits next to ethics rules, agency policies, and sometimes disclosure requirements. This checklist is educational orientation, not legal, ethics, or HR advice for your case.

Always verify against your agency’s written rules and ask your ethics official or appropriate office when you are unsure. Rules vary by agency, position, and activity.

Before you take any paid after-hours work

Use this as a conversation and research list — not a pass/fail quiz you grade yourself on in isolation.

1. Find your agency’s outside-activity / dual-employment guidance. Many agencies publish employee ethics handbooks or intranet pages. Locate the current version, not a blog summary.
2. Note prohibited activities and conflicts of interest themes. Common themes (not a complete list) include using nonpublic information, representing others before the government in certain ways, and work that conflicts with your official duties.
3. Check whether prior approval or notice is required. Some activities need written approval; others need disclosure. Do not assume “evenings only” means “no process.”
4. Ask whether your position has extra restrictions. Contracting, acquisition, law enforcement, legal, and certain supervisory roles often have tighter rules.
5. Separate government time, equipment, and email from private work. As a baseline habit: no official systems for private clients; no official title used to imply government endorsement.
6. If financial disclosure applies (e.g. OGE Form 450 or equivalent), learn what your agency expects you to report. Language and thresholds are agency- and form-specific — use official instructions.
7. Review gift, fundraising, and teaching/speaking rules if your idea involves those channels.
8. Plan tax documentation early. Ethics clearance does not replace bookkeeping. Start a side income log.

How this fits FedPay Lab

Bridge Income’s FedPay Lab materials go deeper on educational overviews and launch habits for federal readers. Free reading on this site starts here and in the blog federal tag. Paid kits and FedPay Lab downloads are optional next steps when you want worksheets — they still are not a substitute for your agency ethics office.

What this checklist is not

• Not a determination that your activity is allowed
• Not advice on OGE forms, Hatch Act, or procurement integrity for your fact pattern
• Not tax advice
• Not permission to ignore your supervisor or ethics official

If anything on your idea list feels borderline, pause paid work and get an official answer first. That is the professional move, not a delay tactic.

Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not legal, ethics, tax, or employment advice. Consult your agency ethics official and appropriate professionals. See also our disclaimer.