Guidance on if/how I should upgrade/add a business account

[sp-vision]

I'm currently selling a number of items that I have previously purchased as part of camera job lots. Searching previously here this selling is identifying me as a trader and should have a business account. Although eBay confuses this when they remind me I can still sell the remainder of my monthly £15,000 limit and 1000 free sales. I've only just started selling items with the majority of my 1000+ positive feedback gained through purchases.

I'm trying to work out the best way to progress this, what is required to get a business account?

Should I upgrade my existing private account to business or start a new account?

Would it be beneficial for the account to be in my wife's' name (not in employment) for tax purposes? Although I'm unlikely to reach the threshold but would hopefully be selling more than the 30 items where HMRC get involved

Are there recurring fees to maintain a business account?

Any time I am searching for items now I'm checking the status of the account, the majority of the sellers are private, although at least one I looked at was selling more than 1000 items! 

The other option I was considering but I don't think this type of company still exists, having the ability to sell the items through a third party who take care of the business side taking a percentage of the sale for their services.

I appreciate any help with this.

[john1297576]

I think you are out of touch, 1000 free ended some time ago and private sellers only get 300 free listings a month.

The fact that some “small” sellers may have a 1000 or more listings may be because, using BINs with automatic relisting, which is not included in the 300, rapidly builds up far too many listings. 

I think you need to read about business accounts, as choice gets complicated, depending on volumes being listed. One benefit is not having to use “Simple” postage.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/fees-business-sellers?id=4809&st=3&pos=4&q...

[papso22]

"Would it be beneficial for the account to be in my wife's' name (not in employment) for tax purposes? Although I'm unlikely to reach the threshold but would hopefully be selling more than the 30 items where HMRC get involved"

Unless it is your wife's income from her sales, this would be tax evasion.  

[sp-vision]

Thanks for advising about the free listings amount, I was seeing the 1000 available still to sell (minus what I have sold) and merging that with the free amount. Just looked again and can clearly see the 300 free figure quoted.

Will have a look at the link posted. 👍🏼

[*vyolla* · Accepted solution]

I would upgrade this existing one (as it has some feedback) to a business account, then you're not starting from scratch and have some provenance.

To register as a business seller simply go to your Personal Information in your account and to the right of Account Type, which will be showing as 'Individual'  you'll see an Edit option.

https://accountsettings.ebay.co.uk/profile

This doesn't affect your feedback profile or any current listings, it merely upgrades your account so that you're compliant with current consumer and eBay policy.

Then create a new private account to list your personal items on. Just sign up again with the same details but a different email address (each eBay account requires its own unique email address).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/account/signing-ebay-account/signing-ebay-account?id=4191&st=3&pos=5&que...

[sp-vision]

Thanks for advising this, not my intention to avoid tax.