Do I have to pay tax on Vinted? (UK, 2025/26)
Short version: most people clearing out their wardrobe owe nothing — but if you buy things to resell for a profit, tax can apply once your sales pass £1,000. Here's the plain-English version.
Selling your own old clothes? You're almost certainly fine
Clearing out your wardrobe, the kids' old toys, or stuff from the loft isn't "trading" — it's selling your own second-hand belongings, usually at a loss. HMRC doesn't tax that, however much it totals. The only rare exception is a single personal item that sells for more than £6,000 (think a designer handbag or a piece of jewellery), which can trigger Capital Gains Tax.
Buying to resell? Then the £1,000 rule matters
If you buy items specifically to sell on for a profit — sourcing from car boots, charity shops, wholesale, or making things to sell — that counts as trading. Everyone gets a £1,000 Trading Allowance each tax year. The key thing people get wrong:
- It's measured on what you sell (your total sales), not your profit.
- Stay under £1,000 in sales and you usually have nothing to report.
- Go over £1,000 and you'll likely need to register for Self Assessment and declare your profit.
"But Vinted said they're reporting me to HMRC?"
This is the bit causing all the panic. Online platforms now have to send HMRC details of sellers who pass 30 items or around £1,700 in a year. That's just a reporting threshold — a heads-up to HMRC — not a tax bill. Whether you actually owe anything still comes down to the £1,000 trading allowance and whether you're trading for profit.
What to do if you're over £1,000
Don't panic — it's a process, not a punishment. In short: register for Self Assessment by 5 October, wait for your UTR number in the post, then file and pay by 31 January. We've laid out every step (with the dates) here:
See exactly what to do next →Frequently asked
Is the £1,000 on profit or sales?
Sales (your total turnover), not profit. That's what decides whether you need to tell HMRC.
Do I owe tax if I sell my own old clothes?
Generally no — selling your own used belongings isn't taxable trading, even if it adds up to a lot.
I got a message that my data was shared with HMRC. Am I in trouble?
Not necessarily. Platforms must report sellers over 30 items / ~£1,700. It's a heads-up, not a bill. What you owe depends on the £1,000 allowance and whether you're trading.
Can I deduct what I paid for my stock?
Yes — if you're trading you can deduct your real costs or claim the flat £1,000 allowance, whichever leaves you paying less. The calculator picks the better one for you.