Business rates on council tax.?

Question

I'm hoping I could get some advice as i am pretty inexperienced with all this....

I've found something I can sell on e-bay which I will just list under a personal account - and perhaps open a shop if it sells well - I will be registered as self employed so that I pay all taxes due....

I will use a seperate personal account for all the transactions.

Is this all legal and ok?

Would I have to register a business name, get a business account or do anything else?

Also, since I'm not a business - will I still be exempt from business rates on council tax ?

Many thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

There is nothing illegal in what you suggest.

You will be self-employed so you must register within three months (of the end of the month you started).

A personal bank account can be used. But it will not be in a business name. If you wish to receive cheques made payable to a business name then the bank will open a business acount for you.

Business names do not have to be registered. You may wish to register a trade or service mark to protect the name but it is not necessary unless you need the added protection.

When you mention a shop I assume you mean an ebay shop? You will presumably be running this from your home. So long as no part of the house is used exclusively for your business then you will not need to pay business rates. (You are a business, by the way) Council tax is due as normal unless you fit one of the exemptions, such as a student.

Answer 2

Well, you will be a business, albeit on a small scale.
You can't pay Council Tax and rates on the same property. If you are working from home, you will continue to pay council tax. Whether you would be allowed to use your home for business purposes depends on either your tenancy agreement or on any restrictive covenants on the property. However, if we are talking about small items being delivered and then posted off by you with no customers actually coming to your door, then I guess it would be fairly low key and no one would object.