16-05-2026 9:16 AM
Over the last 10 years I have sold on ebay to fund my hobbies, obviously on paper it looks like I'm a trader as I don't always buy from Ebay.
If I submit my tax info and sell under the limits going forward I'm sure I won't get stung with a tax bill but I'm worried that the last 10 years sales will be submitted to the tax office?
I can't find any info on this?
Any help appreciated.
16-05-2026 9:29 AM
I'm not sure what you mean by funding your hobbies: If you've been selling off your own personal items such as bits from your wardrobe/attic/garage then these items aren't taxable and you won't be required to complete a self assessment or pay tax on them.
If you have been trading i.e. buying items to resell then you'll need to discuss this with HMRC. They may well issue a backdated bill.
16-05-2026 10:07 AM
It would only look like you were a trader if you were trading.
only you really know if that is the case.
16-05-2026 11:15 AM
It would probably be a good idea for you to actually understand what a trader is.
Simply put, if you are selling your own personal items, then you are not a trader.
However, if you are buying to sell, selling other peoples goods, making things to sell, then you are a trader.
Or to put it even simpler, if your intention is to make a profit, then you ARE a trader.
It really doesn't matter whether you actually make a profit or not, it is all about the intention.
If you are trading and you are now trying to avoid getting caught by HMRC, it will get you into a LOT more trouble than simply speaking to them now. It goes into the criminal realm then, for avoidance of tax.
16-05-2026 9:14 PM
Hi go to the Tax man yourself, l did and they was very helpful
17-05-2026 1:07 AM
@parki_glen the tax office are very helpful. eBay will not be submitting past data as a matter of course. They can be asked to do so which was always the case.
Remember the £1k is revenue. And eBay submit on an annual calendar year. Not tax year. You and everyone should pay the tax owed, but eBay do not know what tax you owe. Nor do HMRC even with eBay's data. They don't know costs, expenses etc. Only you know that. The data provided by eBay is an indicator, but not a tax bill.
17-05-2026 5:56 AM
Hi,
HMRC's website as easy to read information that will help and gives examples. There is a section you can enter last year's details to see what tax, if any you may owe (this section is not stored by the HMRC and can be erased at any time).