A recent communication I liked…
I’m OBSESSED with Vinted these days. Cleaning out my wardrobe, cupboards and finding random items I’d forgotten about goes straight on my profile. I wanted to find other ways to make some extra pocket money on the things that no longer ‘sparked joy’. What’s more, it has created so much space.
I’m also making a conscious effort to buy second-hand (where possible) and Vinted is a wonderful place to find some absolute bargains. Brand new items with tags for half of the retail price? Yes please!
#smallbizowner alert!
The main reason I use it is to sell though. People will literally buy anything - old clothes, passport covers, kitchen roll holders, old tech - there’s something for everyone.
In December 2025, I read a BBC news article explaining that if you receive an email from Vinted titled ‘2025 HMRC Report,’ there’s no need to panic. In most cases, there’s no immediate action required.
I do recall inputting my National Insurance number into the Vinted app at an earlier stage of my selling journey thinking nothing of it and then I received my email. I must say that it was simple, to the point and most importantly told me that I didn’t need to do anything. No panic.
So then I thought…when do you actually need to pay tax for your online side hustle?
Did you know that online selling platforms are now required to report certain sellers to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)? If you sell more than 30 items in a year or your total sales exceed £1,700, the platform must share your details with the tax authority.
However, this doesn’t automatically mean that you owe tax.
If you’re simply selling your own second-hand clothes or household items for less than you originally paid, there’s usually no tax to pay. That’s because you’re not making a profit and you’re just getting back part of what you spent.
Tax generally becomes relevant in two main situations:
You’re buying goods specifically to resell at a profit (in other words, trading).
You earn more than £1,000 in gross income from selling in a tax year. This is known as the trading allowance.
There’s also a separate rule for high-value items. If you sell something for more than £6,000, you may need to consider Capital Gains Tax, depending on the circumstances.
If you’re unsure whether you need to report your income, HMRC provides an online tool called ‘Help for Hustles’ that can guide you through the process and clarify your position.
My question for you
Do you use any online selling platforms? What has your experience been like?