Disclosure of National Insurance number

[cadaverama]

The HMRC guidance on the Gov.UK website states:

"Keep your National Insurance number safe. To prevent identity fraud, do not share your National Insurance number with anyone. These organisations may need to know what your number is: HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) your employer." 

[papso22]

Well given that the law requires ebay to include the NI number of individuals with the sales data they have to provide to HMRC, ebay must be on the list of people HMRC expects you to give it to.

If you look further at .gov.uk you will see why this is.

[jckl1957]

The information/quote you supply is outdated.

This is from the gov.uk website - see the link.  Ebay have to ask for your NI Number to pass to HMRC along with details of your online sales after you pass certain thresholds.

Information you must give

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)

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

[cadaverama]

The information I quoted is still on the Gov.Uk website. I searched on
Google and that's what I got back. Given the recent hacks of retailers I
don't want hackers getting fundamental personal data like that. You
mentors might be comfortable with it, but I am not.

[cadaverama]

If eBay provides my name and address to HMRC, they can deduce my NI
number. It is not safe supplying such a fundamental piece of personal data
to a commercial organisation such as eBay. And I believe a requirement to
pass my NI number to a third party is in contravention of my right to
privacy under the European Convention On Human Rights.

[papso22]

If you don't provide it, Ebay will freeze any pending funds, stop you selling, and still provide the sales data, but probably flagged as non compliant and so of particular interest. 

[cadaverama]

When does this start?

[papso22]

Presumably when they ask for your number and you don't give it!

Looking at your past sales it looks like you should already be registered with HMRC, but may have the wrong type of ebay account.

[cadaverama]

I am a hobbyist. I buy guitars and stuff and really only sell to fund
purchases of things I fancy. See my purchase data. I rarely make a profit
on any of the things I sell and donate part of my sales proceeds regularly
to animal charities. I don't drink and I don't eat out often, so this is
how I get my pleasures. Not everyone's cup of tea.

But my point is that I don't have to provide my NI number for the charities
to claim gift aid.

And my NI number is not like my bank details. If a hacker steals those I
can change them. My NI number is a different kettle of fish. I can't see
HMRC giving me a new one if it is compromised. It is something I would
provide only to an employer or a government organisation.

I really don't think you get what I am saying. This is not about avoiding
tax at all.

[jckl1957]

Mentors can only advise on Ebay policy.

Ebay are obliged to ask for and pass on your NI number when you meet either threshold.

If you choose not to give them your details, as advised, they may hold your funds and restrict your ability to sell on the site.

Of course, you don't have to give them your NI number.

This point has been argued extensively in other parts of the forum.

However, if you choose not to respond to their legitimate request, there will be penalties.

[cadaverama]

I have provided my NI number. But what is my remedy if my identity is
appropriated from eBay and passed around? I realise eBay cannot speak for
HMRC, but what extra protections are eBay putting in place to safeguard
such a unique and personal snippet of important information?

[jckl1957]

You would have to ask Ebay that.

[61stephenuk]

eBay wouldn't divulge what security measures they usa as that would defeat the whole point

[cadaverama]

EBay does not really care for its sellers.