Ebay & HMRC

[plhubbs]

Hello!

A couple of days ago I got a message on my eBay account that I need to provide my national insurance number because of my sales. After some research, apparently I have recently sold my 31st item this year, so I've triggered this check-up, apparently (I'm nowhere near the £1740 limit).

So I'm just wondering, what does this mean? I know eBay passes on some personal info to the HMRC, but will they see what I've been selling? Will they see my account and items for sale? Or do they check on my account and what I sell going forward? I don't mind them looking because my sales are all random bits and pieces (toys, films, ornaments, shoes, books etc...). I'm not a business, just a regular seller that just happens to have sold quite a lot of stuff this year.

Also, now I've triggered this with 31 items sold, what does that mean? Am I okay to continue? Will anything else happen if I reach the £1740 limit before the end of the year? (doubt I will). Everything resets after Dec 31st right? Then you start all over again? I am likely to get a tax bill for this? 

I'm guessing the HMRC must be getting a lot of eBay referrals since this was introduced last year? Because I'm willing to bet lots of regular sellers are reaching these limits (especially the 30 item limit. Can't that be raised? Very low). All this with the recent new issuing of funds rules (need feedback or tracking), and eBay is becoming less and less appealing 😕

[papso22]

There are already a number of threads on this topic on the discussion boards, I suggest you read those and then come back if anything isn't clear.

You can start with this one, but there are more.

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/Hmrc-reporting-January-2025/m-p/7732955#M32540...

[jonatjonatjonat]

The requirements to pass the data across (and the limits of 30 items were not decided by eBay but a cross country OECD.

you can see what eBay will supply to HMRC here

looking at your listings I would say as you are selling your own personal goods you should be ok. If HMRC were to look at it the only thing they might query is the Prime bottles as you are selling them as brand new. They are empty (so aren’t brand new anyway and shouldn’t be listed as such) but whether HMRC are even supplied that info I don’t even know.

the £1,740 isn’t a limit, you can continue selling provided you give your NI number

[plhubbs]

Yeah, all my items are just random things that I'm selling cos I don't want them or need them anymore.

The PRIME bottles are listed as new because that was the only option I was given when I listed them (for some reason). There wasn't an empty or used option. But that's why I made it clear they are empty, just for collectors basically. You think I should remove that item? 🤔

I thought there were 2 limits, 30 items and/or £1740? And you get the message triggering either? 🤔

[jonatjonatjonat]

I assume its because of the category you are listing in. Sports Supplements in Health & Beauty, for obvious reasons, won't allow used items to be sold.

The thing is - you aren't selling Sports Supplements, you are selling empty bottles. You'd probably need to list them in Collectables or Everything Else.

There are 2 limits yes - but its whichever you hit first. If you sell 30 items first and then sell more and sell £1,740 worth of items - there's no further requirements once you hit that £1,740 point.