Selling online is a real business — and HMRC now gets information directly from the platforms you sell on.
What you need to know
- Platforms report to HMRC: since January 2024, online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, Vinted and Airbnb collect sellers' income details and report them to HMRC. Sellers with 30 or more sales, or around £1,700 (€2,000) or more in a year, are reported
- Being reported doesn't automatically mean you owe tax — selling your own unwanted items usually isn't trading. But if you buy or make things to sell for a profit, or provide services, and your income is over £1,000 in a tax year, you may need to register for Self Assessment
- VAT: you must register once your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any 12 months
What we help with
- Working out whether you're trading and registering you with HMRC
- Bookkeeping that connects to your marketplace and payment accounts
- Stock, postage, platform fees and other allowable expenses
- VAT registration and returns
- Moving to a limited company as you grow
Book a free call to get your online business set up properly.