Ebay want me to register for VAT

Jazzguy1

Hi all
Looking for some VAT advice
I have been selling autographs  on ebay, it started buy selling my  own  50 year collection individually, then once i sold what i wanted to i decided to keep the sales going by buying new collections etc and  selling them
I was careful as i thought not to exceed the vat threshold of 85000 but thought that was in my Financial year!  (Which would have kept me under.) Not just any 12 month period
Ebay have now informed me that it i have gone over and have to register before i can sell anymore. If i cant sell i am left with expensive stock and cant afford this.
My questions are
1. should i register for one year to satisfy ebay then deregister to make sure all future sales are below 85000

2
Could i just agree to pay the vat owed  ( over the threshold)
And ask not to register?
 If ebay understand this.

Although i have been selling since lockdown , it has only been my personal  collection which i am told is vat exempt
It is only the last tax year 2022/23 that i have resold bought items

It is all the more annoying as my customers on ebay will be put off paying vat  and also the items i have bought at auctions have not charged me vat ( only on their commission not on the hammer price) so i cannot claim back vat on purchases

Any help will be appreciated
Thanks

turnitround

Are you selling on Ebay with a business account?

Jazzguy1

Hi
Yes i was told by them to change it to a business account

lincroft1710

Perhaps reading this may be helpful


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-7001-should-i-be-registered-for-vat

martindow

There's a parallel discussion on the OP's situation on the Ebay board

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6480481/vat-issue-with-ebay