Employment Insurance and Ebay Income

[macgal]

Hello fellow Canuks,

Does anyone know firstly, if you can sell USED items on EBAY while on EI?
Is this considered OTHER money on the EI CLAIMANT form?

New as opposed to used items? I want to supplement my already low EI earnings and wondering if mr. taxman sees this or if I should report it?

Any help would be appreciated - Thanks

[JamesNorth101]

You need to talk to the EI guys about where they stand on that. They will be able to guide you a lot better than the forum can.

You will need to talk to an accountant about tax issues

[GoteBay]

Your bi-weekly EI reporting will entirely depend on your answers.

Human Resource Canada will not have access to your income on eBay.

EI is very strict when it comes to getting that money. I was gone to USA for two weeks and reported that I was available to work. I had to pay a fine of $318 and all the money I received during the two weeks were immediately deducted.

[rsot]

@macgal, that kind of question is definitely better handled by a financial professional than just forum comments

[henrycrotchet]

Selling new or used items still is considered income. If you are not claiming that with EI they could cut you off and make you pay back what they gave you. Your better to do it proper and let them know how much you are selling because they will find out one way or another.

[macgal]

Thanks for all the replies

[spicnspan]

you are in canada, hide in the woods

[jeffweico]

That just seems so wrong to me. When a person loses their main source of income, OF COURSE they might look toward selling some of the stuff they no longer need for extra money. I don't know what Canada pays out when you are unemployed, but in the US it is roughly half of your income when you were employed. And if you were a high earner, it could be far less, because there is also a maximum amount you can receive. Once, when I lost my job, I was collecting less than 20% of my previous income.

Of course, the companies I owed money to still wanted 100%. :-)

[GoteBay]

In Canada, the weekly benefit amount is 55% of the “average weekly earnings” from the calendar year before you submit an application for EI special benefits. In 2014, the maximum rate is $514 per week. The amount of your benefits may decrease if you continue to work or if your business generates earnings while you are collecting EI special benefits.

[jeffweico]

I understand the logic of counting business income when determining unemployment benefits. I just think it is awful to penalize someone for selling off a few possessions when they are facing tough times. To me, that would be in the same category with the IRS demanding little Suzy pay taxes on that $3.58 she made operating her lemonade stand.

[GoteBay]

Many Canadians sell on Kijiji (eBay Classified for Canada), without reporting the income. It is upto the whoever is receiving the EI.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by GoteBay

Many Canadians sell on Kijiji (eBay Classified for Canada), without reporting the income. It is upto the whoever is receiving the EI.

To each his own but when OP asks specifically about declaring for tax....needs the financial professional advice.

[JamesNorth101]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

same category with the IRS demanding little Suzy pay taxes on that $3.58 she made operating her lemonade stand.

Sounds like Suzy should be audited to me

[macgal]

I am in the process of trying to get the 411 on this - and trying to get a live person on the tele is like trying to get a hold of god!

I have an EI office near me to go in person but dont want to raise any red flags by doing that...I will keep calling till I can get through as a generic question....


Oh Canada how we love thee?

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by macgal

Oh Canada how we love thee?

Keep in mind some countries have no such thing as assistance like this.

Hassle them on the phone for resolution.

Good Luck

[rsot]

Originally Posted by macgal

I am in the process of trying to get the 411 on this - and trying to get a live person on the tele is like trying to get a hold of god!

I have an EI office near me to go in person but dont want to raise any red flags by doing that...I will keep calling till I can get through as a generic question....


Oh Canada how we love thee?

You will eventually get the info you like but at the end...decision is up to you.

[belerim]

I have been in this situation and I called EI office
The answer I got is: If it's not a repetitive sale, we don't need to know
Basically if you sell stuff you have around the house should be OK but if you try to make a steady income is not
I would suggest to call and ask them directly