Update your account for the UK digital sales reporting law

[BeachedHead]

Originally Posted by james_112233

This new N.I attached to each account will catch those people out now and make it near impossible for them to carry on.

Well they couldn't anyway, not really, sure there was a little workaround that I found and used, but we will be talking tiny tiny numbers.

I think all it will achieve is checking that VAT registered businesses are also declaring their online incomes if they run other buisiness within the same company name. I doubt it will be a lot.

The government, DWP and HMRC prefers going after a mum with two disabled kids on Universal Credit selling a few party balloons on eBay to put food on the table and then labelling it as 'benefit fraud the reason why everyone is poor' while corporate business milk the system for billions.

[Iron_chin]

So is there any definitive answer yet on weather we should upload original or ⊗⊗⊗⊗ NI numbers? My deadline is fast approaching.

[BeachedHead]

Originally Posted by Iron_chin

So is there any definitive answer yet on weather we should upload original or ⊗⊗⊗⊗ NI numbers? My deadline is fast approaching.

Do you mean, 'has someone else done it so I can make a decision based on them being braver than me and doing it first?'

No, some have used hooky numbers, some have used genuine, some have put accounts on holiday mode to buy some time.

At present eBay are not verifying the NI numbers, however than can change at anytime, could be a few weeks, could be a year, could be never.

No one knows, all we know is what what we already know. Your payouts will stop during the day of your deadline date. You can still sell, but you can't withdraw nor can you spend the money on eBay. You can still buy postage for items sold.

[Iron_chin]

Originally Posted by BeachedHead

Do you mean, 'has someone else done it so I can make a decision based on them being braver than me and doing it first?'

No, some have used hooky numbers, some have used genuine, some have put accounts on holiday mode to buy some time.

At present eBay are not verifying the NI numbers, however than can change at anytime, could be a few weeks, could be a year, could be never.

No one knows, all we know is what what we already know. Your payouts will stop during the day of your deadline date. You can still sell, but you can't withdraw nor can you spend the money on eBay. You can still buy postage for items sold.

I actually did it before most people so not a question of bravery. However eBay have seemed to ask me again 🤷

[BeachedHead]

Originally Posted by Iron_chin

I actually did it before most people so not a question of bravery. However eBay have seemed to ask me again 🤷

Did you change from personal to business account?

[Iron_chin]

Originally Posted by BeachedHead

Did you change from personal to business account?

Yep. The order of things was

Give us your ni number

Uploaded ⊗⊗⊗⊗ ni number

Then asked to upgrade to business.

Upgraded to business

Now asking for ni number again.

[BeachedHead]

Originally Posted by Iron_chin

Yep. The order of things was

Give us your ni number

Uploaded ⊗⊗⊗⊗ ni number

Then asked to upgrade to business.

Upgraded to business

Now asking for ni number again.

Yes, I noticed it does that when converting to personal to business too.

Just FYI, I have a few accounts I am using as a tester running on hooky numbers without any kickback yet.

[paulfoltyn]

Originally Posted by BeachedHead

I've heard this before regarding the bigger fish, but when you come close or exceed the VAT threshold on eBay you have to enter in your VAT registration number otherwise your selling gets stopped. It's been this case for around 4-5 years. So this area has already been monitored and regulated for a long time.

I do agree, its too much work but that is why the mandatory NI number request is done, so it can be all done by computer. It MAY go something like this,

Send letter of undeclared income = no response, send fine letter = no response = investigation.

It 'may', it also may not be anything and all just a scare tactic

Using a hooky NI number can do one of two things imo, put your into the 'too much work' zone, or put you on the radar of supplying an incorrect number thus further investigation.

Good luck tracking down somebody whose completely stealth

[BeachedHead]

Originally Posted by paulfoltyn

Good luck tracking down somebody whose completely stealth

If you're using ⊗⊗⊗⊗ bank accounts sure, but then your bank will certainly get a nudge by the HMRC when they ask for the details. If you're using a real bank account, then it's fairly easy to identify where the money is going and thus, they have all the details they need to get their dues.

However, huge amounts of work, and highly unlikely if you're turnover is conservative until the algorithms get better, which they may never.

[dabuds420]

Originally Posted by paulfoltyn

Good luck tracking down somebody whose completely stealth

There are ways to make tracking an ebay seller almost impossible, but again it is highly illegal and morally wrong.

[mon73]

Providing a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ National Insurance number to eBay could have consequences. While they might not immediately verify it, they are required to report information to the government. If the number is wrong, it could cause issues with your tax obligations, and potentially lead to penalties from the government later on. It's also against eBay's rules to provide false information.

Regarding withdrawals, it's likely eBay will hold them until you provide the requested information to comply with the new law.

[WestHammer]

I've been advised by someone very familiar with the legislation that once the platform has collected and forwarded the national insurance information to HMRC its obligations under the law have been resolved. It is then HMRC's responsibility to contact and collect and unpaid taxes.