[Summary]
Not all Mercari sales are subject to tax. The point of view is different when selling unwanted household items and when continuing to sell for profit.
In principle, the sale of personal property for daily use is unlikely to be subject to taxation, but if you purchase and sell it, earn a continuous profit, or sell handmade goods, you will need to verify your income.
In this article, we will organize the points that beginners should check first in the order in which they are most likely to stumble in practice. Since taxes vary depending on individual circumstances, please confirm the final decision with an official or specialized contact such as the National Tax Agency, local government, tax office, or tax accountant.
First, the conclusion
In principle, the sale of personal property for daily use is unlikely to be subject to taxation, but if you purchase and sell it, earn a continuous profit, or sell handmade goods, you will need to verify your income.
| Check points | way of seeing |
|---|---|
| Sale of unwanted items | If you dispose of daily necessities, it is unlikely to be subject to tax. |
| Resale/sedori | If you want to continue for profit purposes, you will need to calculate your income. |
| handmade | Manage profit and loss, including material costs and shipping costs. |
| expensive item | Precious metals, antiques, etc. may be treated differently. |
The important thing when reading tax articles is not just memorizing the system name. It's about looking at your income, accounts, deductions, and reporting methods separately.
common misconceptions
- I believe all Mercari deposits are tax-free.
- Even though it is purchased and sold, it is treated as discarded unnecessary items.
- Not recording shipping, handling, and material costs.
This is an area where it is easy to get confused just by reading the search article. In particular, "sales" and "income," "income tax" and "resident tax," and "NISA" and "taxable account" need to be treated as different things.
Order of actual checking
If you are confused, it will be easier to organize if you check them in the following order.
- Disposal of unnecessary items or profit purpose?
- Do you have stock?
- Have you tallied up sales commissions and shipping charges?
- Have you checked your annual income?
If it is still difficult to make a decision after looking at the above, it is safer not to leave it to your own judgment. Please check through official channels such as consultation with the tax office, the National Tax Agency's tax return preparation corner, and consultation with a tax accountant.
Summary
Flea market apps are easy to use, but when you start selling on a continuous basis, it becomes more like a side job. Be sure to use your own records to explain the boundary between disposal of unwanted items and business.
While it's hard to get away with not knowing about taxes, there's no need to fear them too much if you sort them out early. When your income increases, when you start investing, or when you want to use deductions, it is most practical to prepare your records early rather than at the end of the year.
Source/reference materials
- National Tax Agency, No.1900 Salary earners who are required to file a final tax return
- National Tax Agency, No.1906 When salaried workers earn supplementary income from online auctions, etc.
- Confirmation date: 2026-05-30