Vinted and HMRC come up together because Vinted now reports sellers’ sales to HMRC. For most people clearing out their own wardrobe, that changes nothing: selling your own used things is unlikely to be taxable. It matters if you buy things to resell for a profit.
The short answer
- Selling your own clothes and belongings is unlikely to be taxable, even if Vinted reports you.
- Vinted reports you to HMRC if you make 30 or more sales, or receive about £1,700 or more, in a calendar year.
- If you buy to resell and your sales go over £1,000 in a tax year, you are likely to be trading and need to tell HMRC.
When does Vinted report you to HMRC?
Since 1 January 2024, platforms like Vinted must collect sellers’ details and send them to HMRC by the following January. You are not reported if you made fewer than 30 sales of goods and received less than 2,000 euros (about £1,700) in the calendar year. If you are reported, Vinted sends HMRC your name, date of birth, National Insurance number and what you earned, and gives you a copy.
GOV.UK is clear that being reported does not automatically mean you owe tax.
Clearing out your wardrobe
GOV.UK says you are unlikely to pay tax if you sell personal items from your home, like the contents of a loft or garage. Clothes you bought to wear and now sell second-hand usually fall here, and you normally sell them for less than you paid.
When Vinted selling becomes trading
It changes if you buy or make goods to sell at a profit: charity shop finds, car boot bundles or clearance stock that you list on Vinted, or things you make. That is likely to be trading. You get a £1,000 trading allowance each tax year (6 April to 5 April): if your trading sales before costs are £1,000 or less, you generally do not need to tell HMRC. Over £1,000, you need to register for Self Assessment.
Two examples
| Sam: wardrobe clear-out | Alex: buys to resell | |
|---|---|---|
| Sales in the year | 45 items, £900 | 60 items, £2,400 |
| Reported by Vinted? | Yes (30 or more sales) | Yes |
| Trading? | Unlikely: own used clothes | Likely: bought to sell at a profit |
| What to do | Keep a note of what you sold; normally nothing to pay | Register for Self Assessment and send a tax return |
Alex spent £700 on stock and packaging. Alex can take off either the £1,000 trading allowance (profit £1,400) or the real costs (profit £1,700), not both, so the allowance is better here. Whether Alex then pays any tax depends on Alex’s other income.
Calendar year and tax year are different
Vinted reports by calendar year (January to December). Your tax return covers the tax year (6 April to 5 April). Keep your own list of sales with dates so you can split them into the right tax year.
If you resell on Vinted
- Keep a record of what you paid for each item, what it sold for and your packaging and postage costs.
- Register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the tax year ends, and file online by 31 January. See Self Assessment for online sellers.
- Compare the £1,000 allowance with your real costs. See allowable expenses for online sellers.
- Vinted does not charge sellers a fee to sell; see Vinted fees for UK sellers. The free resale profit planner shows your profit per item and per hour.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Rules can change and your situation may be different, so check GOV.UK or ask an accountant. Figures checked on GOV.UK on 13 November 2026.
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