HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched a new website to assist online traders with paying tax.

Launched on February 5th, the new website was specifically created for e-traders and has been designed to help with the registration and payment of tax, in addition to providing information on VAT and capital gains tax.

"This site is designed to make registering and paying tax easier, so you can work out whether you are self-employed and need to file a return," said Stuart Hartlib, director of risk and intelligence for HMRC.

A person who trades online is considered to be self-employed if they fulfil a number of criteria, including if an item is made specifically for sale by the individual who later sells it at a profit.

The deliberate resale of goods would also be defined as the behaviour of someone who is self-employed.

HMRC was formed following the merger of the HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue in April 2005.