Tax office now on Ebay, classified ads, Etsy, Mobile & Co.

The new Platform Tax Transparency Act is here: online platforms now report to the tax office Since January 1, 2023, online platforms have been recording who earns how much money for the tax office.

This is made possible by the new Platforms Tax Transparency Act (PStTG). The aim is to ensure more tax transparency and greater tax fairness. Online platforms must therefore record all income and report it to the tax office.

What does the tax office do with the data? Does the tax office receive data about sellers from all online platforms? Does this only apply to businesses or also to private individuals?

The fact is: The online platforms report all income to the tax office and the fees. Revenue includes pure turnover. Those affected must provide evidence of their expenses to the tax office. This means that receipts and invoices must be kept for every purchase.

This leads to considerable problems, especially with private purchases.

This is because people do not always keep all private invoices and receipts – they are only obliged to do so for tradesmen’s invoices. To make matters worse, what if there are no bills at all? Because people clean out the cellar, clear out the household – and sell things for which they often have no invoice or receipt? This is where the new law will have to prove itself in practice.

What about the tax-free allowance? Everything under 600 euros is tax-free?

This assumption is widespread and is also circulating on the internet. It is: wrong. The 600 euro limit only applies in very specific cases. It is regulated in Section 23 of the Income Tax Act. 600 euros can be earned tax-free in speculative transactions. What falls under this? Firstly: All purchases that are resold within one year of purchase. Secondly: Only purchases that go beyond daily needs.

What is included? Valuable items such as jewelry, paintings, stamps or coins: Yes. Crypto deals: Yes, although test cases are being brought against them. Concert tickets and football tickets are also included. Other items such as furniture, household goods, bicycles or cars do not. Are these things tax-free to sell?

The 600 euro limit is not decisive here. It is the question of whether it is commercial or not. This question can only be clarified in proceedings with the tax office. There is no fixed euro limit in the sense of – up to so many euros everything can be sold tax-free.

Are you active on eBay, classifieds, Etsy, Airbnb or mobile.de?

Then find out what the tax office knows about you.

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