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Selling stuff online

Aurora

I’ve been playing with the idea of selling some hand made stuff online. But I don’t know how to start.

 I’ve been reading about it but can’t really understand what I have to do. 

I work full time and I pay tax and insurance. 

So I’ll have to pay more tax but there’s also this £1000 trading allowance. 

It’s confusing. 

I understand that I would have to register as self employed and notify revenue about my income but I don’t know if I’m supposed to do it before I start or after I earn £1000 or when? 

I want to just put 1 or 2 thing online and see if anyone would buy it. 

If not I’ll abandon the idea. 

If someone buys it then I might sell more. 

But I don’t know if I have to inform tax office that I put one item on sale? And if it won’t sell? Notify them that it was a mistake?

Does someone know how to proceed?

Parents

  • Thanks. 

    I like making things in my free time but I don’t have space to keep them so I thought I could sell them - but I was super afraid to start. 

    I don’t know what would sell well but if I don’t need to worry about tax I can try and sell few things and see how it goes.

    And write everything down (expenses and profits) 

Reply

  • Thanks. 

    I like making things in my free time but I don’t have space to keep them so I thought I could sell them - but I was super afraid to start. 

    I don’t know what would sell well but if I don’t need to worry about tax I can try and sell few things and see how it goes.

    And write everything down (expenses and profits) 

Children
  • in reply to Aurora

    Hello @ Aurora.with no concern about tax,a good starting point is to consider what ye of things you enjoy making the most-could be that you like making a variety of items-make a list and then take some time to look at what other makers are producing in relation to the type of things you are interested in.I think the most important thing at this stage is to focus on the enjoyment of making process. When it comes to selling online-good images of your work will be important-always best to photograph your work in natural day light -take several photographs-close up detail,side view,front view...select the best images to use and provide a concise description-dimensions,materials...Have a look at what other folk do-consider what looks best and why-is there a way of presenting images that you like and think you could emulate in relation to the work you have produced.Be inspired,enjoy,have fun!

  • in reply to Aurora

    I buy stuff on ebay to play with and when I'm fed up with it, I eventually sell it on.

    It's not a business - it's just me getting rid of my junk - if I happen to make a profit, then good for me - but as purchase and sale might be in different years, there's no way to calculate a tax liability - and if I fix or improve the item, I can't itemise what I've put into it but I'm sure I could prove I technically made a loss if I ever have to..