A reminder – HMRC’s badges of trade
The 'badges of trade' tests whilst not conclusive are used by HMRC to help determine whether an activity is a proper economic trade / business activity or merely a money-making by-product of a hobby.
The approach by the courts in using the badges of trade has been to decide questions of trade on the basis of the overall impression gained from a review of all the badges.
HMRC will consider the following nine badges of trade as part of their overall investigation as to whether a hobby is actually a trade:
- Profit-seeking motive
- The number of transactions
- The nature of the asset
- Existence of similar trading transactions or interests
- Changes to the asset
- The way the sale was carried out
- The source of finance
- Interval of time between purchase and sale
- Method of acquisition
Even if HMRC consider that the activities in question are a trade, taxpayers can make up to £1,000 per year tax-free by claiming the trading allowance.
Newsletter
With our newsletter, you automatically receive our latest news per e-mail and get access to the archive including advanced search options!
Latest news
- Payrolling employee expenses and benefits
18/04/2024 - More...
Employers can register on a voluntary basis (before the start of the tax year) to report and account for tax on certain
- Changes to Scottish Income Tax rates 2024-25
18/04/2024 - More...
A reminder of the changes to Scottish Income Tax rates for the 2024-25 tax year. It was announced as part of the
- Taxable employment benefits from April 2026
18/04/2024 - More...
From April 2026, the government will mandate the reporting and paying of Income Tax and Class 1A National Insurance