Do I pay tax on selling my own unwanted things on eBay or Vinted?

Usually not. Selling personal possessions you no longer want is not trading, so there is normally no Income Tax. Capital Gains Tax may apply only if a single item or set sells for more than £6,000.

Will eBay or Vinted report me to HMRC?

Platforms must report sellers to HMRC unless they made fewer than 30 sales of goods and received €2,000 (about £1,700) or less on that platform in the calendar year. Being reported does not by itself mean you owe tax.

How much can I sell online before telling HMRC?

If you are trading, for 2026/27 you can have up to £1,000 of gross trading income before you need to tell HMRC. The Budget on 28 October 2026 announced this will rise to £3,000 from 6 April 2027, subject to legislation.

When do I need to register for Self Assessment?

By 5 October after the end of the tax year in which your trading income went over the limit. For the 2026/27 tax year, that is 5 October 2027.

Rules checked 7 November 2026 · includes Budget 2026 changes

Do I need to tell HMRC about my online sales?

Answer four quick questions about selling on eBay, Vinted, Etsy, Depop or Facebook Marketplace. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

1. What are you mostly selling?

My own unwanted thingsClothes, toys, gadgets, furniture you bought for yourself and no longer need Things I bought or made to sellReselling, flipping, crafts, dropshipping, car parts, sourcing from charity shops or car boots A mix of both

2. Which tax year?

UK tax years run 6 April to 5 April.

2026/27 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027 (this year) 2027/28 onwards From 6 April 2027, when the new £3,000 limit is due to start

3. Money received from things you bought or made to sell

Total for the tax year, before fees, postage and stock costs. Add up every platform, plus any other side income such as freelance or odd jobs. Don't include your own unwanted things.

Left: money received. Right: your costs (stock, fees, postage, packaging).

4. On your busiest platform this calendar year (January to December)…

Each platform counts separately, so use the one where you sell most.

Number of sales

Total received

5. Have you sold any single possession (or matching set) for more than £6,000?

No YesFor example jewellery, a watch, art or a collection sold as one lot

Your result

This is general guidance based on HMRC rules, not personal tax advice. For a definite answer, use HMRC's own online platforms checker or speak to an accountant.

Selling online and HMRC: the rules in plain English

Selling your own stuff usually isn't taxed

Clearing out your wardrobe or loft isn't trading. There's no Income Tax on selling personal possessions you no longer want, however much you make in total. Capital Gains Tax only comes into it if a single item or set sells for more than £6,000.

Buying or making things to sell is trading

If you buy items intending to sell them at a profit, or make things to sell, HMRC treats that as trading. Signs HMRC looks at include buying specifically to resell, selling regularly, repairing or improving items before selling, and selling the same kinds of things repeatedly.

The trading allowance: £1,000 now, £3,000 from April 2027

For 2026/27, if your gross trading income (before costs) is £1,000 or less, you don't need to tell HMRC. The Budget on 28 October 2026 announced that both the allowance and the Self Assessment reporting threshold will rise to £3,000 from 6 April 2027, subject to the Finance Bill being passed. Above the limit, you register for Self Assessment and pay tax on your profit. You can deduct either your real costs or the allowance, whichever is higher.

Platform reporting: "30 sales or £1,700"

Since January 2024, eBay, Vinted, Etsy and other platforms send HMRC details of sellers who make 30 or more sales, or receive more than €2,000 (about £1,700), in a calendar year. Each platform counts separately. Being reported doesn't mean you owe tax. Someone who sells 40 old clothes isn't trading just because Vinted reported them.

Deadlines

Register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the tax year ends (5 October 2027 for 2026/27). File your return and pay any tax by 31 January the following year (31 January 2028 for 2026/27).

Making Tax Digital

If your self-employment and property income (before costs) is over £50,000, you've had to keep digital records and send quarterly updates since April 2026. That threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.