This now applies to sellers

With the new year, a new EU tax law will come into force in Germany. The so-called Platform Tax Transparency Act (PStTG) states that platforms such as Ebay and Co. must now also report private sales to the tax office. An overview.

Ebay, Vinted and Co. have so far been popular platforms for private individuals to resell discarded and used items. However, since the turn of the year there has been a new one in Germany EU tax lawwhich could oblige users to declare their income from private sales in the tax.

Ebay and Co. must transmit seller data

through the new Platform Tax Transparency Act (PStTG) operators of digital platforms are obliged to report to the tax authorities information about income generated by providers on the respective platforms.

This means that platforms such as Ebay, Ebay classifieds, Amazon, Vinted or Etsy must now transmit the relevant information to the Federal Central Tax Office in order to assess transactions carried out for tax purposes.

Sales of 2,000 euros or more must be reported

However, there are different framework conditions for the new law. For example, private transactions only have to be reported to the tax authorities if a private individual sells more than 30 items per year. In addition, the total sales value must be over 2,000 euros.

If a private individual exceeds these parameters, the platform operators must also forward the tax identification number, postal address and bank details in addition to the name and date of birth of the person. In addition, they must transmit all relevant transactions including the sales proceeds and any fees incurred.

Ebay and Co.: Sellers must now pay attention to this

If a platform transmits the data of a private individual, the tax office checks the tax return of the person concerned for his sales. Anyone who regularly sells items on a corresponding portal should keep a detailed record of this from January 2023.

When selling, the date, the costs and the amount of the profit or loss should be documented. It is also advisable to keep receipts for the purchase and sale price.

Tax authorities want to find unknown tax cases

Until now, it has been difficult for tax authorities to understand the additional income that people have made in this way. The new law aims to change that.

The new regulations do not only affect sales platforms such as Ebay and Etsy. All portals on which private individuals can offer goods and services for a fee have been subject to the reporting obligation since the beginning of January 2023. This also includes Airbnb, for example.

Platform Tax Transparency Act applies to all EU countries

The Bundestag passed the draft law in November 2022. Between Christmas and New Year 2023, the Bundesrat then officially passed the PStTG.

The law also regulates the automatic exchange of information between the member states of the European Union in order to also include foreign providers.

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