So let’s get into the real question – do I need to pay tax on eBay sales UK? Short answer: maybe. Long answer? Keep reading.
You’ve finally decluttered. The baby clothes, the toys, the 12 random mugs you don’t remember buying – all sold on eBay. Feels great, right? Until…you hear whispers of tax rules and government crackdowns.
Wait. Do I need to pay tax on eBay sales UK? Let’s clear it up.
Do I Need to Pay Tax on eBay Sales UK? Here’s What You Need to Know
So here’s the deal: Starting January 2024, the UK government introduced new rules that require platforms like eBay, Vinted, Airbnb, and Etsy to report how much people are earning on their platforms.
This isn’t a ‘new tax’ per se – HMRC just wants to make sure people are paying tax on income they should already have been reporting.
But here’s where it gets murky for mums just trying to make a bit of extra cash.
Are You Just Selling Old Stuff or Running a Business?
The difference matters.
If you’ve ever wondered ‘do I need to pay tax on eBay sales UK if it’s just a few bits from the loft?’ – you’re not alone. It’s one of the most Googled questions right now for side hustlers.
Clearing out the loft?
Sold your toddler’s clothes or some old tech? That’s usually not taxable. HMRC sees this as getting rid of personal possessions, not business activity.Buying things to sell on?
That’s when you cross into trader territory. If you’re flipping items for profit, even casually, you might be running what HMRC calls a ‘trading business.’
What Triggers Tax on eBay Sales?
Here’s what might get HMRC’s attention:
More than 30 transactions per year, or
Earning over €2,000 (£1,700 approx), due to new EU reporting standards adopted in the UK
If you’re hitting either, eBay will send your info to HMRC automatically. So yes – you may need to register for Self Assessment, even if it’s just a side gig.
But I'm Just a Mum Trying to Make Ends Meet…
First off, you’re not alone.
This isn’t just a ‘you’ thing – it’s a movement. A recent study by GoDaddy and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), found that around 44% of side hustlers in the UK are parents with kids under 19 living at home. That’s nearly half.
People aren’t just dabbling for fun anymore, they’re doing it because they have to. Because groceries are up, bills are relentless, and flexible childcare doesn’t exactly grow on trees. Especially for mums, these side gigs aren’t just about extra cash. They’re about choice. About being there for school pickups, sick days, and yes, even spontaneous biscuit baking at 8pm.
You Might Be Thinking...
You might be reading this at 10:30pm, with one eye on the baby monitor and the other half closed. That’s okay. This isn’t about hustling 10 hours a day. It’s about squeezing in a few minutes consistently and trusting that the tiny steps will add up.
Honestly? Some days you’ll get nothing done. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll wonder if it’s even worth trying.
But then and this is the magic – you’ll get that first email subscriber. Or your first tiny payout from an affiliate link. And it’ll feel like winning the lottery.
The Value of a Mum’s Time (and Why It Matters)
Here’s something that really stopped me in my tracks…
I read that, if you were to put a value on all the unpaid work a stay-at-home mum does – managing meals, schedules, emotions, learning, cleaning, logistics, and more it would amount to a significant sum. Economists have long recognised that this unpaid labour contributes substantially to the economy, even if it’s not reflected in traditional financial metrics.
Don’t underestimate what you’re already capable of. You’re running an empire. Starting a side hustle is just redirecting that energy into something that pays.
What If I Just Made £200 Last Month?
You’re probably fine. That’s well below any taxable threshold. But if you plan to scale it , to build a reliable side hustle, it’s smart to start clean from the beginning.
Honestly? A lot of us mums started small and never thought we’d be running a ‘business.’ Then suddenly, you’re earning a steady stream, and boom – the tax man wants a word.
Final Thoughts: Keep Going, Just Stay Informed
Don’t let the headlines scare you off. This isn’t the end of the side hustle – it’s just a shift. A reminder to stay on top of your earnings, and if in doubt, get advice.
You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re doing what mums have always done – figuring it out. And that deserves a bit of grace, not grief.
Still not sure where you stand on the whole ‘do I need to pay tax on eBay sales UK’ thing? It’s worth checking HMRC’s official guidance or chatting with someone who understands digital income.
Helpful Resources
Want to Go Beyond eBay?
If you’re here trying to figure out taxes on your eBay side hustle… I’m guessing you’re not doing this for fun. You’re probably trying to make things work. Maybe cover bills, maybe just get a bit of breathing space.
Same here.
But can I say something, mum to mum? Selling stuff online is great – but more often than not life jumps in and overwhelm hits.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck or overwhelmed I made something for you.
It’s a 15-minute-a-day business blueprint — totally free. No fluff, no hustle culture nonsense. Just a real-world guide to help mums like us start something that actually works around nap schedules, school runs, and mental overload.
➡️ [Grab it here if you fancy a peek]
No pressure. But also – you’ve got this!
