HMRC, tax and Trading Cards

[frudea]

I play Magic The Gathering and buy a lot of MTG cards to build decks and to add to my personal collection. But the nature of trading card games is that you end up with a lot of bulk. So in the last year, because I've moved to a smaller flat, have been selling the bulk cards I don't need. I've sold around 400 cards for just under £3k. My understanding is that these are my personal items, that I no longer want, so I am not eligible to pay tax. But I'm very concerned that HMRC will take a different view given the number of cards sold/for sale. Collectors will know they stack up, but there are plenty of people out there that do sell on cards for profit. I don't want to get a fine but I also genuinely don't understand were I stand. 

[papso22]

No-one on here can predict what enquiries HMRC may make of you, or what action they might take. 

[vinylscot]

If you have been buying large quantities of cards, knowing that you will end up selling some (or many) of them, HMRC may see that as trading, and treat your sales as such.

Many collectors use just this method to add to their collections, and, be honest, many hope they can turn a profit, hoping they can sell the unwanted items for at least enough to cover their initial outlay.

It's a grey area, and, as @papso22 says, we have no idea how HMRC will react.

[jedi-masters]

Having taken a quick look at what you are selling I would say that HMRC may ask a lot of questions due to the prices of some of your listed cards for sale.

For example your most expensive card is listed as £89.99 (Enduring Vitality FRACTURE FOIL Japan Showcase Duskmourn MTG NM Japanese).
They may want to know and see evidence on how much you paid for that card, if bought individually or as a bulk lot.

Let’s presume you paid £30 for the card, it is more likely they would be asking more questions as this could give the impression that you are trading for profit but if you paid close to the listed price I can not see them been interested.

Only you know the answer.