Reporting Secondhand Clothing Sales on Depop or Poshmark in Taxation

Last Updated Jun 24, 2025
Reporting Secondhand Clothing Sales on Depop or Poshmark in Taxation Does selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark need to be reported? Infographic

Does selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark need to be reported?

Income from selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark generally needs to be reported if it exceeds the IRS threshold for hobby or business income. Casual sales of personal items at a loss typically do not require reporting, but consistent sales generating profit may be considered taxable income. Keeping detailed records of transactions and expenses helps ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance.

Understanding Tax Obligations for Secondhand Clothing Sales

Selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark may have tax implications depending on the frequency and profit involved. Understanding your tax obligations ensures compliance with IRS rules regarding income reporting and sales tax collection.

  • Income Reporting - All income from selling secondhand clothing must be reported to the IRS if it exceeds $600 or if selling is considered a business activity.
  • Hobby vs. Business - Regular, profit-driven sales classify as a business, requiring detailed record-keeping and possible self-employment tax payments.
  • Sales Tax Collection - Many states require collecting and remitting sales tax on online sales, including transactions on Depop and Poshmark.

IRS Guidelines for Depop and Poshmark Sellers

Sellers on Depop and Poshmark must report income from secondhand clothing sales if earnings exceed IRS thresholds. The IRS requires accurate reporting of all taxable income, including proceeds from online resale platforms.

Depop and Poshmark issue Form 1099-K when sales exceed $600 annually, mandating sellers to declare this income on their tax returns. Failure to report may result in penalties or audits by the IRS.

Reporting Income from Online Clothing Sales

Selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark can generate taxable income. It is important to understand the reporting requirements to comply with tax laws.

  • Income Thresholds - Earnings from online sales must be reported if they exceed the IRS minimum thresholds for taxable income.
  • Record Keeping - Sellers should maintain detailed records of all transactions including sales price and related expenses.
  • Form 1099-K - Platforms may issue a Form 1099-K if sales exceed $600, which must be reported on your tax return.

Failing to report income from secondhand clothing sales can result in penalties and interest from the IRS.

When Are Secondhand Sales Taxable?

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark may require reporting if the activity constitutes a business or the income exceeds the IRS threshold for taxable income. Casual sales of personal items at a loss typically do not need to be reported as taxable income. When sales become frequent or profitable, the IRS considers it taxable income and sellers must report earnings accordingly.

Tracking and Documenting Sales Transactions

Tracking and documenting sales transactions from platforms like Depop or Poshmark is essential for accurate tax reporting. You must maintain detailed records to comply with tax regulations and avoid potential issues with the IRS.

  1. Keep date and amount of each sale - Record the exact date and sale price for every item sold to provide a clear transaction history.
  2. Save payment and shipping records - Store digital receipts, payment confirmations, and shipping details as proof of transaction and cost basis.
  3. Track expenses related to sales - Document fees, shipping costs, and improvements to subtract from gross income accurately.

Filing Form 1099-K for Resale Platforms

Topic Details
Resale Platforms Depop, Poshmark
Tax Reporting Requirement Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark may need to be reported to the IRS depending on transaction volume and total sales.
Form 1099-K Filing Threshold For tax years 2023 and onwards, the IRS requires platforms to issue Form 1099-K if gross payments exceed $600, regardless of the number of transactions.
What is Form 1099-K? Form 1099-K reports payment card and third-party network transactions to the IRS, helping track income from online sales.
Seller Responsibility Sellers must report all income from secondhand clothing sales, even if no Form 1099-K is received.
Implications for Casual Sellers Casual or occasional sales may not trigger 1099-K issuance but still must be reported if profits exceed IRS thresholds.
Resale Income Classification Income may be considered hobby income or business income based on frequency and intent of sales.
State Tax Considerations Some states have additional reporting rules for online sales through platforms like Depop and Poshmark.

Calculating Your Taxable Profit on Used Clothing

When selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark, it is essential to understand how to calculate your taxable profit. Only the net profit--the difference between the selling price and the original cost or price paid--needs to be reported to tax authorities.

Keep accurate records of your purchase prices and any related expenses, such as shipping or refurbishment costs, to determine your taxable profit correctly. If you sell items for less than or equal to your original purchase cost, typically no taxable gain occurs. Reporting is required when the sale price exceeds your adjusted cost basis, resulting in a taxable profit.

Deductions and Expenses for Resale Income

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark generates resale income that must be reported to the IRS. Deductions and expenses such as costs of goods sold, shipping fees, and platform fees can be subtracted from your gross income to lower your taxable amount. Keep detailed records of all purchases, sales, and related expenses to ensure accurate reporting and maximize allowable deductions.

State and Local Tax Implications for Clothing Resellers

Do state and local taxes apply when selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark? Tax regulations vary by state, but many require clothing resellers to collect and remit sales tax on transactions. Sellers should check specific state and local tax laws to ensure compliance with reporting and tax collection requirements.

Tips to Stay Compliant with Tax Laws on Depop and Poshmark

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark may require reporting income to tax authorities depending on your total earnings and local tax regulations. Income from these sales is generally considered taxable and must be declared to avoid penalties.

Keep detailed records of all transactions, including dates, amounts, and costs to accurately track your profits. Use tax software or consult a tax professional to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and deductions applicable to secondhand sales.

Related Important Terms

Resale Tax Threshold

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark must be reported if your sales exceed the state-specific resale tax threshold, which varies but typically starts around $5000 annually. Meeting or surpassing this threshold requires registration for a sales tax permit and collection of applicable resale taxes on transactions.

Form 1099-K Reporting

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark may trigger Form 1099-K reporting if your gross sales exceed $600 annually, as required by the IRS starting with the 2023 tax year. This reporting threshold applies regardless of profit, making it essential for sellers to track total transactions to comply with tax obligations and avoid penalties.

Hobby vs. Business Income

Income from selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark must be reported if the activity is conducted as a business, characterized by regular sales for profit, inventory management, and marketing efforts; hobby sales, occasional and without profit intent, typically do not require reporting but cannot claim business deductions. The IRS distinguishes business income by factors such as frequency of sales, profit motive, and organization of the activity, meaning consistent sellers need to file income and possibly pay self-employment tax.

Online Marketplace Facilitator Laws

Selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark may require reporting under Online Marketplace Facilitator Laws, which mandate marketplaces to collect and remit sales tax on behalf of sellers in many states. Compliance with these laws depends on the seller's volume of sales and state-specific thresholds, making it essential to understand local tax obligations to avoid penalties.

Personal Use Exemption

Selling secondhand clothing on Depop or Poshmark typically does not require reporting income if the items sold were used personally and sold at a loss, qualifying for the Personal Use Exemption under IRS guidelines. However, if sales exceed the original purchase price or become a regular income source, the proceeds must be reported as taxable income.

De Minimis Exception

Sales of secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark generally require reporting unless the total income falls under the IRS De Minimis Exception, which excludes small, infrequent sales from taxable income. This exception applies if the activity is not habitual or conducted as a business and the proceeds are minimal, typically under $600 annually.

Cost Basis Documentation

Sellers on Depop and Poshmark must maintain accurate cost basis documentation to determine taxable gains when selling secondhand clothing. Proper records of purchase price, associated costs, and sale proceeds ensure compliance with IRS reporting requirements and accurate capital gains calculation.

Casual Seller Clarification

Casual sellers on Depop or Poshmark typically do not need to report income from selling personal secondhand clothing unless sales are frequent or profit exceeds IRS thresholds, which may classify them as a business. Keeping records of transactions helps determine whether occasional sales fall under personal use exemptions or taxable business income.

Peer-to-Peer Platform Tax Rules

Income earned from selling secondhand clothing on peer-to-peer platforms like Depop or Poshmark must be reported to the IRS if it surpasses the threshold requiring a 1099-K form, typically $600 in sales as of 2023. The IRS considers this income taxable, regardless of whether the seller is conducting a casual sale or running a small business, emphasizing strict adherence to peer-to-peer platform tax reporting rules.

Aggregate Payment Reporting

Selling secondhand clothing on platforms like Depop or Poshmark requires reporting aggregate payments if total sales exceed $600 annually, as mandated by IRS guidelines under Form 1099-K rules. Sellers should maintain detailed records of transactions to ensure compliance with tax reporting and avoid potential penalties.



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