National Insurance Number

[jckl1957]

A quick post and a straightforward question.

From January 2025 , which begins tomorrow, Ebay have to pass your details to HMRC if you sold 30 or more items in 2024.

Have they requested your NI Number yet?

Only asking because they have not asked for mine yet.

[papso22]

Ebay are probably taking advantage of the recently published reporting extension for sellers that had active selling accounts prior to 1st January 2024.  

In other words, they focused on doing their due diligence on accounts registered since 1st January and will catch up with the earlier established sellers next year.

[jckl1957]

I was unaware of that extension - thank you for the info.

(And Happy New Year!)

[ile136yz]

---

@jckl1957 wrote:

A quick post and a straightforward question.

From January 2025 , which begins tomorrow, Ebay have to pass your details to HMRC if you sold 30 or more items in 2024.

Have they requested your NI Number yet?

Only asking because they have not asked for mine yet.

---

Perhaps, your Performance / Sales are showing the money you have earnt is below the limit for reporting to HMRC after eBay fees are deducted?

[prescott9376]

Has any other platform asked for their users NI Number? 

I was asked by another site earlier this year but that wasn't about reporting to HMRC it was to comply with a US law giving their customs the right to check on the tax status of anyone selling to U.S.

it was compulsory for European sellers to give it, if they wanted to continue with the site, but, like many UK sellers I wouldn't hand it over so can't sell to the U.S.

If you are happy to give your NI number to Ebay then of course its your choice but how would you feel about giving it to Facebook.

[lorne57]

As a private seller , no, but I haven't sold more than 30 items/£1700......never known it so bad on here for selling as this past year.  On the V site I have had no request either but have sold more than 30 items so keep expecting to get a message.  I am on a FB group for V and the mis-information that is circulating regarding figures and requests for NI numbers is shocking. 

[prescott9376]

"I am on a FB group for V and the mis-information that is circulating regarding figures and requests for NI numbers is shocking."

Much the same as here then. 

[jckl1957]

It's 30 items or 2000 Euros (about £1740) and I have definitely crossed the 30 item threshold.

Maybe they are focusing on new accounts created in 2024.

[jckl1957]

I choose to sell on Ebay and I will choose to give them my NI number if and when they ask for it.

I don't use Facebook so your question does not apply to me.

[ile136yz]

---

@jckl1957 wrote:

It's 30 items or 2000 Euros (about £1740) and I have definitely crossed the 30 item threshold.

Maybe they are focusing on new accounts created in 2024.

Some Private eBayers sell very low value items e.g.  £3.00 each, the 30 items would only amount to £90 per year.  So this Seller's eBay Performance Sales is assessed on the (approx. £1740) before eBay reports.  

---

[jckl1957]

I am not sure that is correct - this is direct from HMRC and they say 30 items OR about £1700:

'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.'

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/information-for-online-sellers

[ett1954]

@jckl1957   You are correct, it is either/or when it comes to the 30 items/£1700.

[equinox-electronics]

Accounts that were created before 2024 will be asked in 2025 for tax information. So from tomorrow, when you hit the threshold, theoretically you should be asked 

[jefftopman]

There is no need for eBay to ask for your NI number. With your name and address HMRC will easily find it.

[markoo22]

I knew it wouldn't be long before these type of posts arrived, can anyone clarify when this 30 items/ £1740 limit etc when does it reset? is it from today January 1st? and is it from January to January? Not April to April?.

[papso22]

It's Jan 1st to December 31st.

[myriad*seller · Accepted solution]

---

@jefftopman wrote:

There is no need for eBay to ask for your NI number. With your name and address HMRC will easily find it.

---

eBay are required BY LAW to obtain your NI number

This is so that the exact person can be identified as many people have the same name, and can live at the same address (eg multi generational families where members have the same name).

The UK Government have made it law that eBay have to request your NI number, so there is no alternative if you want to continue to sell 

[papso22]

---

@jefftopman wrote:

There is no need for eBay to ask for your NI number. With your name and address HMRC will easily find it.

---

No they can't, and they don't have to.

The regulations require the reporting platform to include a tax identification number with the data, for individuals in the UK, that's the NINO.   So there is a legal 'need'.

[prescott9376]

If there is a "legal need" for Ebay then it stands to reason that there is a "Legal need" for all the other platforms, not just auction sites but also sites like air bnb etc.

Which brings me back to my question. Has anyone been requested for their NI number by any other organisation that may be covered by this "Legal Need" other than the site that wanted the info for a U.S "legal Need"  and given that this could be multiple organisations would anyone really be happy with giving this info to something like Facebook.

I just couldn't do it, neither would I reveal my "pornstar name" (Apparently its your 1st pets name & your Mothers Maiden name)

And as for that nice young man from the CIA who rang me to let me know one of the girls at my local bank branch was running a multinational money laundering ring & I could help by transfering all my cash to an account he would kindly open for me.

No given the level of fraud we have now its not for me. I can find other things to do to keep my mind active.

[jckl1957]

I have accepted a solution.

Thanks to all who replied, but, if you don't want to answer the question 'Has Ebay asked for your NI number?', could you start your own thread?

I am disappointed that NOT ONE PERSON has answered my question.