Radoslav

Q: US TAX ID - The Big Dilemma

Well... I`m from Bulgaria and want to publish books with Ibooks Author. I read everything for IRS and ITIN ect, contact with four US tax consulting companies and US embassy here, But I need to fly to London or Paris to local office of IRS where accredited notary make a copy of my ID card...

 

I just want to sell e-book in Apple store, I no want to start a company or business in US or something...

 

I know how for 90% from of you that's is not a problem because you a US citizens, but for international authors this is nightmare :|

 

Once again, please not delete my post I know for other posts here for US TAX ID, but if Anyone can give ANY suggestion for easy way to get this Tax ID and publish book please say it. Thanks.

 

p.s. I perfectly know this is the law, but the procedure is so complicated and very close to impossible...

Posted on Jan 27, 2012 12:05 PM

Close

Q: US TAX ID - The Big Dilemma

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 11 of 12 last Next
  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Apr 15, 2013 6:36 AM in response to nessfromsa
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2013 6:36 AM in response to nessfromsa

    Vanessa, you make a good  point... but its not so much out of control... its just  go too long and too much is repeated.

    I blame Apple for the lack of "suport". I  have said previously that "Apple" seem to assume that all users are between age16 and age21 with a PHD in Technology and Inter continental ballistic Missiles and  a brain that can suck in information.  I am loath to say.. "they" also seem to assume that all useres are fluent English speakers.

     

    Any time I  have offered advice.. its only on something I have actaully done myself and not offered theory that if it works in another similar application.. it must also work in iBA.

     

    The other problem is  most peopel cannot understand why Apple insist in the EIN when other USA based companies like Cafepress and Zazzle etal  do not  ask for thus and accept  scanned and emailed copies if simple to fill  forms.

     

    OK IF Apple had an explanation.. tell  people why and  then  give a step by step route to application accessible for any part of the world. Its not always easy.

     

    Then we have a confusion of telephone  numbers and Myths about how tax is collected and how much troubl e there is with tax returns in two countries (  I would have to  deal  - it seems with UK, USA and Aussie tax offices!)

     

    The other thing thats missing is a forum..  one where we can send PM and contact people to ask questions or get  phone numbers - which is not the remit of this support site.   I thought  of  putting one online myself ... but its better if a more savvy person got involved in a none Apple eBooks forum with an iBA section!.

     

    -----------------------------------------------

     

    BTW..  I was just looked at  a return from Zazzle Form 1042-S Foreign Persons US Source Income Subject to WIthholding,

     

    It notifies Gross Income and  nothing was withheld

    Section 11 Withholding  Agent EIN the  box is  marked  with an X and it appears I have an EIN number allocated !!

    That is if an EIN  number is 77-0518XXX    ( Xs to hide numbers!)

    Perhaps an EIN  number holder can comment.

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg May 3, 2013 7:43 PM in response to trilogy1000
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    May 3, 2013 7:43 PM in response to trilogy1000

    This is an old thread, but  checking elsewhere in the forum for EIN information, it occurs to me that a great many of those who use the forum have plodded through the applications process and in the last  12 months had to deal with the tax situation i.e. declarations and end results.

     

    There is still confusion and threads still start by those lost in teh maze.

    Perhaps a few of the EIN armed authors can - without disclossing cash details or personal info -write up a summary of the EIN application, and how its affected them. 

    Many seem concerend about dealing with USA tax returns and then having to deal with their own country of residence tax offices.

     

    I suppose its also split into groups - those who create books and  for the iBS and  other online publishers

    and those who see it as a hobby which can  earn a small income.

     

    Just a thought.....

  • by PeterBreis0807,

    PeterBreis0807 PeterBreis0807 May 30, 2013 10:32 PM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 8 (35,693 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 30, 2013 10:32 PM in response to vinnyvg

    Actually in many places an international call can quickly add up to a pretty sum and I''ll lay odds on the 20 minutes stretching out to a lot longer. Having succeeded, there will the additional accountancy costs by citizens totally unfamiliar with US tax returns. This is not an expense or barrier to US authors.

     

    Most authors will be lucky to get anything back on their work, to make them pay for the privilege, even when not charging for their work, is rubbing salt in their wounds.

     

    I see this as a huge stumbling block for most non-US citizens and I consider it quite unnecessary, when the final product is treated as a local product for tax and pricing purposes by Apple but strictly US for the authoring. Can't have it both ways. Or you can, but it rightly p...s people off.

     

    Peter

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg May 31, 2013 6:18 AM in response to PeterBreis0807
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    May 31, 2013 6:18 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

    I dont  know which country you are in.. but in Sydney Australia, I purchased a $10 Hello Phone card. The call I made took about 15 minutes or so.. but allow it can vary.

    The call cost me $0.50c

     

    First download the SS4 form and fill it in before you make a telephone call.

    Phone the number   0011 - 267-941-1099  its  option 1 for EIN

    The agent will take 1 minute to  recite  his or her identification  number.

    SAy  you need to  request an EIN  as a requirement of Apple Inc  book sellers application.

    if not asked state you have a filled in SS4 to assist the process.

    Then asnwer the questions put to you.

    Its a serious procerss and they do not rush and  if in doubt will ask you to  repeat an answer or clarify a spelling.

    If  you can use A - Apple, B-Baker- C - Cat type alphabet "code" it  helps.

    You are given the number over the phone and a letter will arrive after about 2  weeks.

     

    Thats it  after  the call is over it takes at least 2 weeks to be seen by Apple.

  • by BillyJoeC,

    BillyJoeC BillyJoeC Jul 14, 2013 7:09 PM in response to john buck1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 14, 2013 7:09 PM in response to john buck1

    Hello jamy,s I have been asked by my employer to set up an itunes contract to sell materials via itunes.  I noticed in your original comments almost a year ago you referred to being in Australia and also going through a local representative to set up your account rather than filing for a US Tax Id.  Can you please provide me with details on how I can go about doing the same thing since I also live in Australia and have the same dilemna?  I appreciate so much your help on this.  Thanks

  • by lev770,

    lev770 lev770 Aug 5, 2013 11:50 PM in response to john buck1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 11:50 PM in response to john buck1

    Could you please remove my name? I am not the owner of the business, just of the domain name.

    Thank you

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Aug 6, 2013 5:23 AM in response to lev770
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 6, 2013 5:23 AM in response to lev770

    The posts are not editable after 15 minutes. 

     

    I think you would need to contact Apple Support, or you could use the "Report Post" and ask that,  what you consider is mis-information, - be removed.

  • by lev770,

    lev770 lev770 Aug 7, 2013 12:32 AM in response to john buck1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 7, 2013 12:32 AM in response to john buck1

    I just spent 2 hours calling different apple numbers no one is helping or knows how to remove a post. Please think twice before putting someones name on the internet. This results is the first that shows on Google when searching for me it is actually hurting me.

  • by DerekOuellette,

    DerekOuellette DerekOuellette Jan 6, 2014 11:19 AM in response to K T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2014 11:19 AM in response to K T

    If you sell a book in the ibookstore, you have to pay taxes on it whether or not you're a US citizen. Hence, the original question. But thanks for coming out.

  • by symphonicjorge,

    symphonicjorge symphonicjorge Feb 20, 2014 8:51 PM in response to Radoslav
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2014 8:51 PM in response to Radoslav

    If you are a foreign individual (non US citizen or US resident) AND If you have a EIN + provide it on a W8-BEN

     

    Do you get taxes withheld at all (ie: 0% ?)

     

    Is there still withholding if and/or not if the US has a tax treaty? (So if there is a country with no treaty, if there is a EIN, do you get withheld 5,9,30% or anything?)

     

    Lastly, does a foreign individual have to pay and/or file taxes? If so, a 1040EZ?

     

    How would a company like iTunes report to a foreign individual? 1042-S?

     

    Any help would be great.

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Feb 21, 2014 4:42 AM in response to symphonicjorge
    Level 9 (79,277 points)
    Feb 21, 2014 4:42 AM in response to symphonicjorge

    symphonicjorge wrote:

     

    if there is a country with no treaty, if there is a EIN, do you get withheld 5,9,30% or anything?

     

    I think the answer to that one is "30".

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Feb 21, 2014 1:21 PM in response to symphonicjorge
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 21, 2014 1:21 PM in response to symphonicjorge

    Repeat posting of your question is not a good idea.  Especially digging up  old threads.

     

    Taxes are due from any  sales you make.  Most countries have reciprical arangements and any taxes deducted by Apple should be  included in your own national tax return, .. if you make income in  your own country, its taxable and Apple sales should be added to your tax return.

  • by PeterBreis0807,

    PeterBreis0807 PeterBreis0807 Feb 21, 2014 3:43 PM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 8 (35,693 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 3:43 PM in response to vinnyvg

    Even though the US government has already taxed you?

     

    Peter

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Feb 21, 2014 4:52 PM in response to PeterBreis0807
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 21, 2014 4:52 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

    Most countries have reciprical arangements and any taxes deducted by Apple should be  included in your own national tax return,

     

    Each countries laws may  differ BUT I am sure they all require any income over "day job" income - to be included in annual tax returns.  BUT the declaration should include any documents from Apple showing tax has been deducted @ $?????? .
    Then no addional tax will be levied on Apple earnings.

     

    Not sure how the countries work together to shift money or about  tax laws and  "working" in different countries. Its possible  they get together at year and and the USA say.. we collected  $3 billion  from iBooks sales  from your country residents.... and  " your country"  will reply, well we collected $2 billion from USA workers here - so send  us the  $1 billion difference!

     

    Apple take 30% off the gross, and its a sales commission NOT a tax deduction

    I am sure the authors tax is levied  on the  gross figure, the  30%  can be claimed back as " cost of sales."

     

    I am no tax expert so anybody with tax issues needs to see an account and  if in doubt, contact your local tax office to clarify your individual circumstances.

  • by PeterBreis0807,

    PeterBreis0807 PeterBreis0807 Feb 21, 2014 6:04 PM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 8 (35,693 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 21, 2014 6:04 PM in response to vinnyvg

    So for the piddly amount of return on the massive amount of work:

     

    1. Start an entirely irrelevant Tax Return in a foreign country*

     

    2. Be taxed in the hope of getting it back later

     

    3. Claim Apple's cut as a cost from the gross amount taxed

     

    4. Pay for a foreign tax expert and lawyer to work this all out for you

     

    5. Pay tax again in Australia

     

    * Apple has the gall to charge us GST and local taxes here in Australia to justify its higher "costs", then tells the Australian Tax Office that the transaction did not take place here in Australia, but in Singapore, therefore Apple should not pay Australian tax.

     

    Peter

first Previous Page 11 of 12 last Next