topic Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC. in Payments

I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

53brown — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 21:39:51 GMT

Hi can anyone help me with this. I am a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC. They will not pay out for the items I have sold in the last few weeks until I give them my details. I am not selling much one or two items every week or every two weeks sometimes I don't sell anything in a month. These things I am selling belong to myself and some of my family members and are personal belongings. Has anyone had this happen to them and what is the best way to SOLVE this. You used to be able to speak to someone on the telephone but it seems you can't do this now. Does anyone have a number for Ebay I can call. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jonatjonatjonat — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 03:09:56 GMT

It’s a requirement from HMRC.

see digital sales reporting which explains everything

the solution is to provide the info they are asking for. It doesn’t change any tax obligation, which, if you are just selling your own personal items, is likely nothing.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

sml192 — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:02:28 GMT

There is really no point in speaking to anyone at eBay. Ebay are legally required under 'The Platform Operators (Due Diligence and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2023) to obtain and verify certain details, including your NI number, once you reach either of the reporting thresholds (30 transactions or sales totalling £1,740) and to report your sales at the end of the calendar year. It is nothing to do with your own tax obligations and provided you are only selling personal possessions it is highly unlikely that you would need to pay any tax. If you don't comply with eBay's request then they will just continue to withhold your payouts and you won't be able to continue selling.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/account/regulatory/sales-reporting/uk-digital-sales-reporting?id=5454&st=3&pos=1&query=UK%20digital%20sales%20reporting&intent=Uk%20digital%20sales%20reporting%20&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1769

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-goods-or-services-on-a-digital-platform

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-to-tell-hmrc-about-your-income-from-online-platforms#selling-personal-possessions

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:00:39 GMT

and your final sentence.. is what most people want..

"If you don't comply with eBay's request then they will just continue to withhold your payouts and you won't be able to continue selling. "

I don't want to sell online with eBay, I don't want an eBay account. I want to cease my contract with them.

But they refuse! We have your money! But your not getting it because we want your information! You can keep my money.. I want to close my account... You cant close your account because we have your money!!

Its a joke.. an unlawful joke.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jckl1957 — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:21:19 GMT

As advised, this is a legitimate request from Ebay. After you sell 30 items, Ebay will request your NI number. The only way to 'solve' this is to give them your NI number.

I gave them mine some weeks ago as I want to keep selling on the site. Also, whether you give Ebay your NINO or not, they are obliged to share your information with HMRC.

This below is from gov.uk and explains that that the tax regulations have not changed but that online selling sites do have to share your information with HMRC.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/information-for-online-sellers

Digital platforms must share sales data and some personal information for 2024 with HMRC by the end of January 2025. If you have sold at least 30 items or earned roughly £1,700 (equivalent to €2,000) using platforms like eBay or Vinted, or provided a paid-for service such as a holiday rental through Airbnb on a website or app in 2024, your platform provider will let you know that your information has been shared with HMRC.

The new reporting requirements for digital platforms came into effect at the start of 2024. It is not a new tax. Whether you are selling last year’s festive jumper, clearing out a child’s outgrown baby clothes or quietly offloading an unwanted Christmas present or two – nothing has changed for online sellers.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:31:38 GMT

I agree its a legitimate request... but like any request you have the right to decline dont you?... or is it an order?

Its good you made the choice to give your information to continue on what you want to do, what if your choice had been the opposite?

I have no objections to the them sharing what information they already have that I had agreed to when i signed up.

I just object to providing something I'm not obliged to provide if i do not with wish to continue using as a service.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jckl1957 — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:34:12 GMT

I was replying to the original poster.

To misquote Thumper's mother, 'If you can't say something useful, don't say nothing at all.'

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

53brown — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:48:37 GMT

Was this what you asked them to do and they have refused to close your account. Are your funds still on hold? Does this mean your ebay items are still there to be sold and ebay will continue to keep everything that is being sold by you. How can they do this. By law you should be able to close your account. Thanks very much for your reply.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:19:46 GMT

Don't be bullied. If your happy to supply your information do so... if your not then stand your ground.

I ask them to close my account, and continue to ask but they wont because they wont release my funds.

You get put in an automated loop of prevention, its just a process of time.

I haven't sold on eBay since they illegally kept my money for goods I legally supplied and delivered to buyers but at the same time kept there cut of the transactions.

but yes its unlawful to keep you in a contract for ever...but there is a time period to it.. you've just got to ride it out its all part of the compliance framework they are following..

Get some real legal advice. none of it on here is worth it really.. its just IMO.. (including mine)

I never will or want to sell on eBay again.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

midlife-gamer — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:39:33 GMT

What information are they asking for? Is it just your National insurance number ?

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

papso22 — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:39:07 GMT

@midlife-gamer wrote:

What information are they asking for? Is it just your National insurance number ?

Yes that's all.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:15:04 GMT

Finally I got my monies that were being held ransom for information.

Wait it out, withdraw and close your account.

Ebay isnt worth the hassle.

No information provided.. its a waiting game.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

sml192 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 20:49:56 GMT

@2000appletree wrote:
You have 300+ items listed.If you sell more than 30 items or £1700 you must register with Self assessment otherwise HMRC sends you fees to pay.

That is not correct. You are conflating different things there.

30 sales transactions (not items) or £1,740 total sales in a calendar year are the thresholds that determine whether the Platform operator (eBay) needs to report your sales to HMRC. They are nothing to do with your tax liabilities as an individual.

Private individuals who are only selling unwanted personal possessions will have no tax liability unless selling a single item/set for £6,000 or more at which point they may be liable for Capital Gains Tax.

Those buying/making items to sell will need to register for Self Assessment once their turnover reaches £1,000 (the Trading Allowance) in any tax year.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jonatjonatjonat — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 21:06:33 GMT

Complete misinformation that.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

sandringham-58 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:04:48 GMT

Hi all,

The question I have is if you go over the limit by selling personal items then how do you declare what you have sold to the revenue. For example I collect gold and silver coins that are exempt from UK tax on any gains. I sold half a dozen coins and hit the limit and provided my NI number.

What happens now? Do I need to fill in a self assessment from to explain that the coins I sold are personal from my collection and are exempt from tax as they are legal tender in the UK, or do I just wait to see if the revenue contact me? Trying to avoid a fine for taking no action if I need to do something. Thanks in advance.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jonatjonatjonat — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:13:04 GMT

All that has happened is the information on what you sell will be supplied to HMRC. Based on what you said, you don’t need to do anything as you are selling your own personal items.

its highly possible HMRC will never contact you. If they do, you may simply need to confirm that what you sell is your own collection. But you don’t need to do anything proactively.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

sandringham-58 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:14:16 GMT

Great thanks for your quick reply.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

dinnages — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 10:20:03 GMT

At the time of the transactions you were a member seller on ebay.

Your signed up to the criteria changes as new T&C apply to all platforms as time moves on, at that point you leave the service if you disagree. Any held funds were from being a seller, ebay & others have a legal duty now to provide the sellers data to HMRC regardless of the seller status private or business where the criteria you go over makes the change to report the data compulsory by ebay to HMRC.

Your issue is with HMRC (not they will take any notice of your complaint) where they dicate to ebay and them to you so ebay are compliant, you need to provide the NI number so when HMRC get your data they tie that up with your tax affairs their end.

If your not working or just PAYE you will have personal allowances. If your self employed likely youd best declare it, over your personal limits, even if you dont sell enough to make a profit.

Selling your own items not as a business you will not pay tax but you still to declare your NI number even if just to eliminate you from tax due as they will want to combine all your potential income figures, if you have any from other sources. You cant hide from HMRC selling anywhere online, maybe for now only by cash at a car boot!

Ignorance of tax laws is no defence, some being asked going back four years of ebay sales, could be a wake up call for those who have obviously been business sellers going by the feedback numbers gained, much more than 30 in a year. Private sellers as hidden business sales have been avoiding the distance selling rules for far too long where business sellers have to comply with far more and pay more in fees.

The day I started on ebay in 2001, already a business elsewhere there was just no question I could sell the same products as a private seller, and is an addition to other places anyway, both online and face to face.

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

jckl1957 — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:21:24 GMT

If you are a private seller, selling your own collection of coins, then you won't have to pay income tax, even if you sell for a profit.

That would apply if you were selling off your gold jewellery - rings, earrings etc. - as well.

The tax/tax exempt rule comes in when you are selling items that would normally qualify for Capital Gains Tax - which is a separate thing to the income tax that traders have to pay when buying and selling selling gold coins or jewellery for a profit.

UK coins which are classed as legal tender are exempt from Capital Gains Tax which only comes into play if you sell a single item or a collection for more than £3000 (reduced recently from £6000.)

Re: I'm a private seller and Ebay are asking for details for HMRC.

sml192 — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:43:13 GMT

@jckl1957 wrote:
UK coins which are classed as legal tender are exempt from Capital Gains Tax which only comes into play if you sell a single item or a collection for more than £3000 (reduced recently from £6000.)

The 'Chattel Exemption' for Capital Gains Tax is still £6,000. It is the 'Annual Exemption Amount' that is now £3,000 (previously £6,000).