Ebay asking for my Nat Ins Number

[lights-camera-actionuk]

I have had a e mail for E Bay asking for my national Insurance number so i can contiunue to sell on e bay

 I am a registered business and have been for over 20 years

 I am VAT registered and have been for over 15 years with my VAT number oin my  e bay account

I pay an accountant to do my accounts of my sales on ebay  every 3 month and now this 

I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT GIVING MY NAT INSURANCE NUMBER TO E BAY, and there is no mention of it being safe   wit E Bay   im furious

[atlantis-myshop]

I would also like to clarify why I strongly disagree with the demand for a NIN (National Insurance Number) and why I believe eBay does not understand the specifics of self-employed individuals. As a sole trader, my relationship with HMRC relies on my UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference). It is this UTR that serves as the crucial tax identifier, allowing me to correctly handle my tax obligations. It has always been sufficient and compliant with HMRC procedures.

However, the NIN is an entirely different matter—it is a number tied to social insurance and connected to my personal data rather than my business. If tax processing were to be associated with my NIN instead of my UTR, it could lead to serious consequences:

1) Errors in the tax system – HMRC could mistakenly record my taxes as income derived from employment, rather than self-employment, potentially resulting in tax arrears or errors in calculating contributions.

2) Dispersed tax history – My tax records could become fragmented between the NIN and UTR, making future reconciliations or audits more complicated.

3) Increased risk of human error – HMRC’s system is designed to work with UTR for self-employed individuals. Switching to NIN could lead to problematic administrative mistakes.

4) Data privacy concerns – UTR identifies my business, whereas NIN is personal data. Using NIN in this context risks breaching my privacy and causing unnecessary issues.

This is why I firmly oppose eBay’s requirement for a NIN in this context. This is not a 'drastic reaction,' as some suggest—it is a considered decision to protect my rights as a self-employed individual and my personal data. I expect eBay to understand the difference between UTR and NIN and adjust its procedures to align with the realities faced by sole traders in the UK.

[papso22]

Disagree or not, as you have found you can't continue to sell on eBay unless you provide it.

HMRC require sales data for individuals,  private and business,  to be provided with the individual's NI number.  That's not negotiable. 

[therenewalworkshopltd]

It is drastic.  Anyone can see that closing your account when your making sales is drastic.

Especially when your premise for doing so is entirely wrong.

It is HMRC asking for the information, not Ebay.

No matter where you sell, you will be required to provide this information.

However, forgetting the above.  I can see why they would requesting NI, rather than UTR.

So if you have more than one account on Ebay, which many do, one is a business and one is private.

So fine, the UTR will work for the business account.  But it certainly won't for the private!

Or would you prefer than any income you had from your personal account, be included with your sole trader income?  As it should not be for profit anyway and therefore not taxable.

If you have an issue with this, then you need to raise it with HMRC.  This is not an Ebay problem.

It is NOT Ebay's requirement at all.

[a45heaven]

 as posted by HMRC web site

Which bit fits ebay?

 

Keeping your National Insurance number safe

To prevent identity fraud, do not share your National Insurance number with anyone who does not need it.

These organisations may need to know what your number is:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• your employer
• the Department for Work and Pensions (which includes Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service), if you claim state benefits, or in Northern Ireland the Department for Social Development
• your local council, if you claim Housing Benefit, or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• Electoral Registration Officers (to check your identity when you register to vote)
• the Student Loans Company, if you apply for a student loan
• your pension provider if you have a personal or stakeholder pension
• your Individual Savings Account (ISA) provider, if you open an ISA
• authorised financial service providers who help you buy and sell investments like shares, bonds and derivatives - you can check if your provider is authorised
• Veterans UK

[therenewalworkshopltd]

I would suggest that the more valid regulation, is the latest one.

How long is it since that was updated?

And just because something on the website has not been amended yet, does not make it true.

Especially when considering that the new rules apply to all marketplaces.

I would suggest that you contact HMRC directly and ask them.

I'm sure that they will be happy to clarify whether or not an NI number is required to be provided to Ebay!

[a45heaven]

How long is it since that was updated?

no idea - but  its still live on the HMRC website.

[atlantis-myshop]

I’m repeating myself here, but it’s because this is important:

I don’t mean to be impolite, but I kindly ask for official links or sources with statements from HMRC regarding the requirements for sole traders in the context of providing both NIN and UTR. I would like to know where it is officially stated that platforms such as eBay can require both of these numbers simultaneously from businesses operating with a UTR.

According to what is stated on HMRC's website: 'Digital platform operators will ask you for certain details. If you’re an individual seller, they’ll ask for your:

full name

address where you normally live

date of birth

tax identification number (National Insurance number if you live in the UK).

As an entity seller (such as a company), they’ll ask for your:

legal business name

main business address

tax identification number (company registration number for a UK company).

They also need to know the country in which your tax identification number was issued.

If you sell as a UK partnership, they’ll need your partnership Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — a reference number from HMRC.'

Reading this carefully, it appears that individual sellers only need to provide one identification number – NIN for UK residents. Partnerships provide UTR, and companies provide their registration number. There is no mention here of sole traders being required to provide both NIN and UTR simultaneously.

If platforms like eBay require both numbers, I would like to understand the basis for this requirement. Thank you in advance for your help and any guidance!

[therenewalworkshopltd]

You are not reading it.

There are two types there, an individual seller or an entity seller.

To put it quite simply, a sole trader is an individual.  It is not a legal entity away from the individual.

ie.  A Ltd company, a partnership are both legal entities in their own right.

Platforms do not require both for this reporting.

They may ask for your UTR as part of the identification process, but that is a separate issue.

I'll say it again though.  GO ASK HMRC!  I'm sure that they will be able to clear it up for you!

This is not an Ebay requirement, but an HMRC requirement.

[a45heaven]

This is not an Ebay requirement, but an HMRC requirement.

But HMRC already have all the NI numbers.

Im still to be asked from any other body for my NI number in relationship to this matter, nor have i had any other platform inform me of forwarding info to HMRC.

Is this one of the Regulations that ebay are claiming from sellers in the Regulatory Fees?

[papso22]

You trade as a  individual seller, you will be required to provide your NI number to ebay some time in the near future.  

I believe this is exactly what the regulatory fees are to cover, along with any other regulatory requirements ebay have, perhaps anti money laundering?

HMRC need the ebay sales data to be identifiable with an individual,  (private or sole trader), so they need both to be given to them at the same time.

[papso22]

It is totally clear that individual sellers of whatever type have to provide their NI number to ebay because that's what HMRC has said they need as part of the sales data.

What is not clear to me, is why ebay want your UTR, I would be asking them (ebay) that question.

It's possible that there is a legal need for the UTR that predates the (relatively) new reporting requirements,  but I don't know what that is.

[atlantis-myshop]

I am currently waiting for clarification from HMRC regarding the requirement to provide a National Insurance Number (NIN) for sole traders. I will provide an update once I receive their response.

[therenewalworkshopltd]

I have already been asked for this information on two other sites.

@papso22   I don't believe that they have been asked for both, just questioning it.  Though I could be wrong.

[a45heaven]

I believe this is exactly what the regulatory fees are to cover, along with any other regulatory requirements ebay have, perhaps anti money laundering?

Thank you for that, ive asked the Community Mangers several times, and never got an answer.

Do you think it right that the sellers have to pay for the regulations rather than the platform?

Are we to be included in receiving a portion of the advertisements ebay sell and place on our listings which we also pay for ?

[papso22]

They are not asked for both as part of the sales reporting regulations,  that particular poster says ebay already has their UTR though.

[therenewalworkshopltd]

At the end of the day, it is never the sellers who pay for things, but the buyers.

Yes, the money may come out of the sellers account, but only after they have been paid by the buyer.

Which anyone with common sense, will include in the their pricing.

[papso22]

Ebay has essentially upped their fees to cover a new cost, as a business wouldn't you do the same?

[therenewalworkshopltd]

Which would be correct.

You provide your UTR as part of the signup process for a Sole Trader.

Most marketplaces do this.  It proves that you actually are a trader, rather than a private individual.

But I've been asked for all sorts of stuff on other sites, such as tax returns to name but one.

[a45heaven]

Ebay has essentially upped their fees to cover a new cost, as a business wouldn't you do the same?

Nope not to the extent ebay do and provide a much reduced service.

But i have different principles and morals.

Maybe i shouldnt be a business?

[vintique*violet]

 

You do not  trade as an individual seller if private and selling personal items..meaning you are not classed as " trading" nor are a trader ...  as confirmed by HMRC.7th January 2025 and reported on X ( twitter) and in the Somerset County Gazette and others. 

The Labour Party government tax department said on social media anyone selling personal items, including gifts, online doesn’t need to pay Income Tax on these.

HMRC wrote on Twitter/X: "You don’t need to pay income tax on selling your own personal items such as used clothes, an old TV, or unwanted furniture. This does not make you a trader."

However, you may need to tell HMRC if you receive income through an online marketplace or social media.

HMRC explains online: "If you’re only selling personal possessions you’ll probably not have to pay Income Tax on these.

"However, depending on the items you sell and how much you sell them for, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax

"This applies to selling personal possessions where the item is worth more than £6,000."

HMRC said it is working alongside online platforms to ensure sellers receive clear guidance on their tax responsibilities.

HMRC message to eBay, Airbnb and JustEat online sellers:

People selling unwanted items online can continue to do so with confidence and without any new tax obligations, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “We cannot be clearer – if you are not trading and just occasionally sell unwanted items online – there is no tax due.“As has always been the case, some people who are trading through websites or selling services online may need to be paying tax and registering for Self Assessment.”

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