Do I have to pay taxes when selling used items?

Imagine: you decide to buy yourself a new laptop. But the old one still works, and therefore it is a pity to throw it away. But you can sell - for example, through a free classifieds site. Old sofas, appliances, even building materials left over from repairs - it's really possible to find your buyer for everything.

But when the amounts earned on used things become significant, logical questions arise: what about taxes? What will happen if the state finds out about earnings - does it threaten with fines? Let's find the answers.

Is the proceeds from used items considered income?

Of course. You sell something that belongs to you and you get money. It's definitely income. Even if your reward is not bills, but, say, a basket of zucchini - that is, profit in kind, this also counts.

If a person sells an apartment, no one has any doubts that he is receiving income. Most people know that you have to pay tax on such a transaction. The rest of the property is the same. Money from the sale of a car, smartphone, mixer, roll of wallpaper - everything is considered income. And in theory, personal income tax can be levied. But usually this can be avoided.

When you don't have to pay tax at all

If you have owned an item for more than three years, the income from its sale is exempt from tax. The exception is when it comes to real estate, the term there is extended to five years, if the housing is not the only one. But we're not talking about apartments.

Let's say you've used your treadmill, telephone, and toaster for over three years and then sold it. Then you do not need to declare this profit and pay tax. If you just kept the item in a box and didn't even unpack it, too. You can safely get rid of it for any money and without any fear.

At the same time, it is ideal to have a document that confirms the date of purchase. However, in general, the tax authorities do not commit atrocities with inspections, because there are very few situations when a person has to pay the state for the sale of used things. More on that later.

When tax is charged and how not to pay it

If you have owned an item for less than three years, the income from its sale is taxed. But there are two deductions:

In the amount of expenses. You have already spent money in due time to purchase this thing. This means that the income will not be the entire amount received from the buyer, but the difference between it and your expenses. For example, in the midst of a pandemic, you bought a treadmill for 30 thousand rubles. A year later, they decided to sell it for 20. If you compare the two amounts, it turns out that you are even in the red - there is no income. The only caveat is that it would be nice to have a receipt that confirms your spending.
In the amount of 250 thousand rubles. If there is nothing to confirm the expenses, you can always use the second type of deduction. The state does not charge interest on profits up to 250 thousand, which was received from the sale of any property, except real estate. That is, if you sold a painting, a basket, a cardboard box and a small dog (which is also considered property) and earned less than 250 thousand on this, you do not need to pay tax.

The deduction option can be selected. For example, you bought a game console for 30 thousand rubles. A year later, they decided to sell it. The dollar has grown against the ruble, and you offer it to the buyer for 35 thousand rubles. The check is in hand and you can take advantage of the expense deduction. But an option with an amount of 250 thousand is more profitable. In the first case, you need to pay tax on 5 thousand, in the second - you do not have to pay anything.

Previously, in order to do everything according to the law, the income had to be declared to the tax office - to file a 3-NDFL declaration. Now, if you sell things at a price below 250 thousand rubles, you don't need to do anything. Moreover, this works even for several products, if the total amount is below 250 thousand.

When you sell a used treasure for a higher price, you are legally required to provide a declaration. In this case, you can use the first type of deduction and not pay tax if the purchase costs were higher than income.

What is worth remembering

The money that is received from the sale of used property is considered income.
If you have owned the item for more than three years, you do not need to pay any taxes. Sell it boldly.
If the product has been owned for less than three years, the income is theoretically taxed. But there are two deductions that allow you not to pay it in most cases.
Of the two deductions, you can choose the one that suits the best.
As long as the income from the sale of used things is less than 250 thousand rubles, there is no need to notify the tax authorities about them.
If the profit is more than 250 thousand, according to the law, it is necessary to submit a 3-NDFL declaration to the Federal Tax Service. This does not preclude an expense deduction.