Do I Pay Tax on Vinted and eBay Sales? HMRC Rules Explained (2026)

General information, not tax advice. Everyone's situation is different. For your own circumstances, use HMRC's online checker or speak to an accountant.

The "30 sales" rule: what it is and what it isn't

Since 1 January 2024, selling platforms such as Vinted, eBay, Depop and Etsy have had to send HMRC the details of sellers who make 30 or more sales, or receive €2,000 (about £1,700) or more, in a calendar year. Each platform sends that information by the end of the following January. To do this, it may ask you to confirm your details.

This is a reporting rule, not a tax. HMRC says being reported "does not automatically mean that you owe tax", and that there are no changes to tax rules for people selling their unwanted possessions.

Selling your own things

If you're selling your own clothes, shoes and belongings from time to time, you don't usually need to tell HMRC or pay tax, however many sales you make. You're getting back some of what you paid, not making a profit.

The exception is valuable items. If you sell a personal possession for more than £6,000, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax.

When selling counts as trading

HMRC's signs of trading include:

Buying to resell. Picking things up at car boot sales, charity shops or in sales, in order to sell them for more.
Making things to sell. Crafts, upcycled furniture, clothing or prints made in order to sell, even if it started as a hobby.
Doing it regularly. Selling as an ongoing activity, rather than an occasional clear-out.

The £1,000 trading allowance

If you are trading, you get a tax-free trading allowance of up to £1,000 each tax year (6 April to 5 April).

It's based on gross income, meaning your total sales before any costs are taken off.
If your trading income is £1,000 or less, you don't usually need to tell HMRC.
If it's more than £1,000, you need to tell HMRC through Self Assessment. You can then either take off the £1,000 allowance or your actual costs, but not both.

The allowance covers all your trading income together, not each platform separately. Selling £600 on Vinted and £600 on eBay counts as £1,200.

If you need to register

You register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year you need to report. For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, that was 5 October 2026. For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, it's 5 October 2027. Registering late can mean a penalty.

What it usually means: some examples

Your situation	Platform reports you?	What it usually means
Clearing out your wardrobe: 15 sales, £300	No	Nothing to do
A big clear-out of your own things: 45 sales, £900	Yes (30+ sales)	Usually no tax. It's not trading
Buying at car boots to resell: £700 in sales	Depends on sales count	Trading, but under the £1,000 allowance, so usually nothing to tell HMRC
Making and selling crafts: £2,500 in sales	Yes	Trading over £1,000. Tell HMRC through Self Assessment
Selling one designer watch you owned for £7,000	Yes (over £1,700)	Not trading, but may mean Capital Gains Tax (over £6,000)

Your situation

Platform reports you?

What it usually means

Clearing out your wardrobe: 15 sales, £300

Nothing to do

A big clear-out of your own things: 45 sales, £900

Yes (30+ sales)

Usually no tax. It's not trading

Buying at car boots to resell: £700 in sales

Depends on sales count

Trading, but under the £1,000 allowance, so usually nothing to tell HMRC

Making and selling crafts: £2,500 in sales

Yes

Trading over £1,000. Tell HMRC through Self Assessment

Selling one designer watch you owned for £7,000

Yes (over £1,700)

Not trading, but may mean Capital Gains Tax (over £6,000)

Examples are simplified to show how the rules work. Your situation may differ, so check with HMRC's online checker.

Using the calculator if you're trading

If you buy things to resell or make things to sell, choose Business in the calculator. Platforms treat traders differently: eBay charges business sellers final value fees (see the eBay fee calculator), and Vinted asks traders to use Vinted Pro where it's available (see the Vinted fee calculator). Keep a record of what you paid for items and your costs, because you'll need them if your sales go over £1,000.

Official sources

Selling goods or services on a digital platform (GOV.UK)
Check if you need to tell HMRC about your income from online platforms (GOV.UK)
Tax-free allowances on property and trading income (GOV.UK)
Register for Self Assessment (GOV.UK)
Tax help for hustles: online selling (HMRC)

Questions people ask

Do I have to pay tax on Vinted sales?

Usually not. If you're selling your own unwanted clothes and belongings, you don't normally pay tax or need to tell HMRC. Tax applies if you're trading, for example buying things to resell or making things to sell, and your sales are over the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year.

Does Vinted or eBay report me to HMRC?

Since 1 January 2024, platforms send HMRC the details of sellers who make 30 or more sales, or receive about £1,700 (€2,000) or more, in a calendar year. Being reported doesn't automatically mean you owe tax.

What is the £1,000 trading allowance?

If your total trading income is £1,000 or less in a tax year (6 April to 5 April), you don't usually need to tell HMRC. It's based on gross income, meaning your sales before any costs are taken off.

When does selling count as trading?

HMRC's signs of trading include buying items to sell them on for more, for example from car boot sales or charity shops, and making things in order to sell them. Clearing out your own belongings from time to time isn't trading.

Do I pay tax if I sell something expensive I own?

If you sell a personal possession for more than £6,000, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax. Most everyday items sell for far less than that.

When do I need to register for Self Assessment?

By 5 October after the end of the tax year you need to report. For the 2025 to 2026 tax year that was 5 October 2026, and for 2026 to 2027 it's 5 October 2027. Registering late can mean a penalty.

Do I pay tax on Vinted and eBay sales?