As of: February 5, 2024, 12:30 p.m
By: Carina Blumenroth
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Selling things online is a convenient solution for many.
This year there could be mail from the tax office for the first time.
What private individuals need to consider.
Used things that one person can no longer use can bring a smile to another person's face.
Buying second-hand products is not only good in terms of sustainability, but you can also get a bargain or two.
Online platforms such as Ebay are ideal for this.
Anyone who sells a lot there can have a decent additional income.
But does this actually have to be stated on the tax return?
What you should consider as a private individual.
Taxes on sales on Ebay and Co
When you have to tax sales on Ebay and Co.
(Symbolic image) © Christian Beier/Agefotostock/Imago
Anyone who sells a lot online should pay attention when it comes to their tax return for 2023.
A new law (since 2023) gives the tax authorities more information from online platforms.
The focus is on who sells often and a lot.
Thanks to the transition period, platforms such as Ebay, Amazon, Viagogo and Vinted have until the end of March 2024 to submit information from the previous year to the Federal Central Tax Office,
finanztip.de
informs .
However, many private sales remain tax-free - what rules apply.
By the way: This is difficult to implement for eBay classifieds, as it is not always known what price the buyer and seller have agreed on.
This is particularly the case if the purchase is not made via the platform.
For example, when paying upon collection.
What needs to be transmitted by the platforms?
Anyone who makes at least 30 sales per year via a particular website will be reported to the Federal Central Office.
Sellers who have earned at least 2,000 euros are also stated.
Private sellers who, for example, clear out the basement and sell a lot of items usually don't have to worry.
Stiftung Warentest
informs that everyday objects belong to the private sphere of assets - they are therefore tax-free.
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Information from online sales – it’s all about profit
If you have received more than 2,000 euros from a platform in one year, this does not immediately mean that you have to pay tax on this.
First and foremost, it's the income you have - what also needs to be considered are the expenses incurred for the items.
As a rule, they are usually higher, informs
finanztip.de
.
Taxation is always about profit.
What you as a user should consider
For your own overview, it's good to document what you sold, when, and for how much money.
This way you know whether the online platform needs to transmit your sales behavior.
When the data is transmitted, the tax office checks whether there is a commercial trade.
However, there is no clear definition for this.
However, those responsible will take notice if one of the following points is met:
Lasting sales
Multiple items of the same product on offer
Sale of self-made items
Purchasing items for resale
If you are currently making a profit of less than 600 euros as a private individual, you don't need to worry.
If the winnings are over 600 euros, you have to pay tax on the entire amount,
Finanztip
informs .
In the future, the exemption limit should increase to 1,000 euros.