Letter From HMRC Re: Ebay Account

Stuck_1

if i was a scammer id be targeting very small business sellers on ebay ect sending similar letters, as if you can get them to reply to a similar letter via e-mail you'd have them hook line & sinker.
im amazed HMRC have gone down this road, surly at first contact it should be phone or write? simple as that anything else sounds dodgy in my opinion, why havent HMRC realised this as their the one that have been so cautious of contacting by email in the past

Stuck_1

Can you experts explain why HMRC want people they are contacting
for the first time to alternativley contact them by e-mail?

if i was HMRC surly you would ask first time people you contact to ring or write, email sounds a scam, what would you be writing in that email for gods sake?

Takeaway_Addict

Stuck_1 wrote: »

Can you experts explain why HMRC want people they are contacting
for the first time to alternativley contact them by e-mail?

if i was HMRC surly you would ask first time people you contact to ring or write, email sounds a scam, what would you be writing in that email for gods sake?

Why? Modern times move on- Better to email as people can take their time gathering information etc and carefully wording their replies from both sides

dacouch

Stuck_1 wrote: »

Can you experts explain why HMRC want people they are contacting
for the first time to alternativley contact them by e-mail?

if i was HMRC surly you would ask first time people you contact to ring or write, email sounds a scam, what would you be writing in that email for gods sake?

Probably due to them having seriously long waits to get through on the phone so they're using email and social media to deal with questions.

It was on a recent episode of BBC Watchdog

tattycath

listonosz wrote: »

Great post!
I don't think most people who sell on eBay realise the tax implications of selling online and they certainly do not want to unintentionally fall foul of the HMRC.
I myself like most of the population find the tax system both daunting and bewildering.

Sorry, but I think HMRC's stance is totally non ambiguous. If you are selling stuff that belongs to yourself that you no longer have a use for, it is not a business. If you buy or acquire stuff With the intention of selling, you're a business and you should register with HMRC.

soolin

Stuck_1 wrote: »

Can you experts explain why HMRC want people they are contacting
for the first time to alternativley contact them by e-mail?

if i was HMRC surly you would ask first time people you contact to ring or write, email sounds a scam, what would you be writing in that email for gods sake?

Perhaps because they have done what people want them to do and keep up with modern times?

perhaps you prefer the safety of a good old fashioned letter, many of us though prefer the ease of a quick email. I'm no techie and I'm not young, but I do a lot of stuff now on email and barely ever write a letter. just to worry you more, my accountant also prefers email, and I scan and send my stuff to him immediately. In the old days by letter it would take weeks to achieve what we can do in a day now.

I also submit my tax return online, pay my tax and NI online and HMRC seem happy to do that rather than do everything by post.

listonosz

tattycath wrote: »

Sorry, but I think HMRC's stance is totally non ambiguous. If you are selling stuff that belongs to yourself that you no longer have a use for, it is not a business. If you buy or acquire stuff With the intention of selling, you're a business and you should register with HMRC.

Many people who use eBay pay tax through PAYE and are not au fait with UK tax law.
Most people on eBay are just simply unaware that they are possibly breaking the law.
The HMRC can have a crack down on eBay sellers if they wish,I just don't see how it will raise any extra money for them.

tomtontom

listonosz wrote: »

Many people who use eBay pay tax through PAYE and are not au fait with UK tax law.
Most people on eBay are just simply unaware that they are possibly breaking the law.
The HMRC can have a crack down on eBay sellers if they wish,I just don't see how it will raise any extra money for them.

Ignorance is no defence to breaking the law. If you buy and sell with the intention of making a profit you need to comply with the responsibilities that brings with it.

listonosz

tomtontom wrote: »

Ignorance is no defence to breaking the law. If you buy and sell with the intention of making a profit you need to comply with the responsibilities that brings with it.

I have said that in an earlier post.
The aim of the HMRC is to collect more tax,it will have the opposite effect.

soolin

listonosz wrote: »

Many people who use eBay pay tax through PAYE and are not au fait with UK tax law.
Most people on eBay are just simply unaware that they are possibly breaking the law.
The HMRC can have a crack down on eBay sellers if they wish,I just don't see how it will raise any extra money for them.

Worrying isn't it?

If people have so little idea about finance and legal requirements it terrifies me that they can be let loose to sell things to an unsuspecting public. What else don't these people understand, the safety requirements of products they sell, the legal rights that buyers have , how to keep themselves safe when selling online?

There is even the simple fact that some people don't even realise they are making a loss- incredible as it seems I have dealt with people who have never sat down and worked their figures out and realised that they lose money on every item they sell.

I really do wish that basic finance was taught as part of the school curriculum.