VAT on private sales wothin the UK

[jilly181]

Can anyone tell me why I have to pay VAT on private sales within the UK?  I am a private seller and as far as I am aware we are not liable for VAT on secondhand items. Why do E-bay apply this tax to all sales?  Jill

[61stephenuk]

Are you talking about the VAT on your seller fees invoice?

eBay now show the VAT element on your invoices separately,it is not an additional charge.

[jilly181]

Thanks for that but I still don't understand why I have to pay VAT on private sales. Has this always been the case?