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

[53brown]

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.

[jonatjonatjonat]

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.

[sml192]

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...

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#s...

[williamstheterrible]

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.

[jckl1957]

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.

[williamstheterrible]

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.

[jckl1957]

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.'