Mark McLaughlin looks at the tax position for those selling personal possessions, or buying and selling items, using online platforms.
Once upon a time, many people periodically emptied their loft full of old belongings they no longer needed and sold them at a local car boot sale to make extra cash. Nowadays, online platforms like eBay, Vinted and Gumtree have largely replaced car boot sales in the popularity stakes.
How do they know?
For some, selling items online is a regular occurrence. This has attracted the attention of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Early in 2025, HMRC sent out a letter to individuals identified as having failed to declare income from online marketplace sales up to and including the tax year 2022/23.
Operators of online marketplace platforms are required to report details to HMRC about sellers of goods or services on those platforms (SI 2023
