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Q: Do non-US residents Really Need SSN/ITIN or EIN to sell iBooks??

Hi there

 

I am a resident from Australia and I have no ties (work or personal) to the USA.

 

I would like to publish my books on iBooks. But the form requires me to provide a US tax ID. Is this really required? Please advice, thanks!

 

Regards

iBook, Tax, EIN, SSN, ITIN, iBook

Posted on Jun 7, 2011 9:12 PM

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Q: Do non-US residents Really Need SSN/ITIN or EIN to sell iBooks??

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  • by johathonhoweth,

    johathonhoweth johathonhoweth Dec 26, 2013 10:16 PM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2013 10:16 PM in response to vinnyvg

    Vinnyrg,

     

    Your thoughts are ultruistic but meaningless. Here is the Apple help. . .

     

    With a Paid Books Account, you need to provide banking and tax information so that you can receive payments for the books you sell on the iBooks Store.

     

    I am in Australia and my Australian bank account des not work, there are no instructions on getting an EIN as all numbers listed in this blog have not worked for me, and I have rung 10 different variations.


  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Dec 27, 2013 5:08 AM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 9 (79,055 points)
    Dec 27, 2013 5:08 AM in response to johathonhoweth

    johathonhoweth wrote:

     

    the trouble is Tom, that aggregators do NOT upload an ibook already  created with ibooks author program.

     

    That is correct.  If you are using iBA, it's probably best to post in the forum devoted to that so you get the best advice:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/community/ibooks_author/ibooks_author

     

    Regarding the EIN, are you unable to use the international number provided in the IRS document linked to in the FAQ?

     

    http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-to-Apply-for- an-EIN

     

    If in the end you cannot get the process to work for you, it may be better to move your book to another format and use an aggregator.

     

    You can tell Apple your views on it all via

     

    http://www.apple.com/feedback

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Dec 27, 2013 5:32 AM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 9 (79,055 points)
    Dec 27, 2013 5:32 AM in response to johathonhoweth

    Here is a recent report by someone using the process successfully:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/24213175#24213175

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Dec 27, 2013 2:17 PM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 27, 2013 2:17 PM in response to johathonhoweth

    The process is  quite easy and straight forward. It just needs patience and application to find information.

     

    This  discussion group has answers to every part of the book creation and delivery process.

    You need to  spend some time and  go back through the posts or use  teh search option.

      Apple's  basic advice is to search the group before posting a question.

     

    Gathering information....start with the Help files in iBooks Author,  after that use the link I gave you to check everything  you need to know about  creating a book and uploading it.

     

    Open an iTunes Connect account. Open it and look for Deliver your Content, you will  find on the top right a selection of PDFs to download.  Further down the page is a  video that  also takes you through the process.

     

    If you  start off with the logic that it is complicated... it will be. 

    I prefer ... every problem has a solution - the task is to find it!    ... and  above  is your starting point.

  • by loz114,

    loz114 loz114 Dec 28, 2013 2:17 AM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Notebooks
    Dec 28, 2013 2:17 AM in response to johathonhoweth

    Johathonhoweth

     

    I've been asking the same questions as you and I'm in the UK. In another discussion I had a reply as follows from a lad call Richard;

     

    Just further help for you. I too am from the UK and my book has recently gone live on iBooks.

     

    1) I called the IRS and although I was queuing for one hour, once I was through to them, I was given the EIN in 3 minutes!

     

    2) I got a written confirmation through the post within about 3 weeks.

     

    3) I waited  a few days before setting up a new Apple ID account that wouldbe used solely for my iBooks work. Reason for the wait: for the EIN to be in the US system.

     

    4) I registered with iTunes Connect and set up a Paid account.

     

    5) My account was confirmed in about a week.

     

    Let me know if you need any more help.

     

    Rich

     

     

    I hope this helps you out buddy

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Dec 28, 2013 4:03 PM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 28, 2013 4:03 PM in response to johathonhoweth

    Your thoughts are ultruistic but meaningless - Its Altruistic actually.

     

    there are no instructions on getting an EIN  - regards the EIN requirement, I found it very easy to  go to the  US  government website, download the SS4 pdf, and phone the correct number , at the  most suitable time - which  meant I was not  not kept waiting and completed the whole process in less than  15 minutes.    All the information is available  by searching this discussion group.

     

    I am also In Australia and if you want a paid books account.... you will also need to meet a requirement in the Contracts and Banking  process -  to obtain an Australian Business Number ( ABN)  which is an Australia Government requirement for tax purposes and the EIN  number is required by the US Government for their tax purposes. In Australia, you will need to submit the required tax information for your Apple income and  any other income you have.  ( all the information is in various  posts in this discussion group)

     

    SS4 page info - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-SS-4,-Application-for-Employer-Identification-Number -(EIN)

    SS4  form  download - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf

     

    Telephone: 1-267-941-1099   USA IRS Telephone     from Australia and you may need to  use 0011 instead of 1.

     

    The best time to phone is  THEIR 6.30 - 7.30 PM  -  its  evening meal time in the USA and / or people are travelling home and not phoning the tax office.

  • by johathonhoweth,

    johathonhoweth johathonhoweth Dec 29, 2013 12:04 AM in response to loz114
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2013 12:04 AM in response to loz114

    Dear loz114,

     

    Thank you and I will put this into practice after we get past the long weekend and the start of the new year.

     

    Johnathonhoweth

  • by johathonhoweth,

    johathonhoweth johathonhoweth Dec 29, 2013 12:07 AM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2013 12:07 AM in response to vinnyvg

    Dear Vinnyvg,

     

    As an Australian, do I need and ABN or can I just add teh income from overseas as an individual tax payer?

     

    I have not seen this requirement anywhere but I am confused with all the information.

     

    Do I need to download the SS4 form?  The IRS gives an international phone number that I can finally access by not using my iphone to dial it but accessing it through my email.

     

    CAn you tell me where I get the information about the ABN for Australian as I am an employee and really do not want the possible hassle of GST reporting every month.

     

    Johnathonhoweth

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Dec 29, 2013 2:24 AM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 29, 2013 2:24 AM in response to johathonhoweth

    Its a AU government requirement for any income from "self employement'.   Also Apple will not  accept your application for a paid books account unless you complete all requirements in the Contracts and Banking, found in your iTunes Connect account,

     

    If you search online for ABN, there is a website where you can apply. In fact any person in AU can apply and  hold an ABN and  ignore the tax aspects UNTIL you earn, -  outside any normal employment,  AU$1 after that you need to declare any income from Apple. The  website will give you all the information you need.

     

    Paid account  process.  Everybody/ You need to obtain a US IRS EIN number. Use the links in the post above to open and check the website. Download teh SS4 and porint it off. Fill it in where you can... the US tax agent will ask if you have the form and will go through it numerically with you.  Anything you dont understand   leave blank and tell teh agent when he/she asks about the box number.

    Use the  telephone number and  timing advice I gave above.  You get your number at the end of the phone call. Use to send in your application, to Apple and  it will take 2/3 weeks for apple to confirm its valid.

     

    Applicants in Australia are required to  suppply an ABN number, if you are an employee, by having a paid book account you become a self employed eBook  Publisher and any income is taxable.

    You will need to check your  status when you  go to the ABN application website. I doubt its every month and  suggest its incuded with your annual tax return.

     

    The process is quite easy.. it just sounds full of complications.  Deal  with it one item at a time.

     

    I suggest you  open your iTunes Connect account and open teh Contracts and Banking section.  Open and  fill in the  forms... make notes of what you  cannot or do not have and sort those problems till you do. Just   sign out of iTunes Connect and  ignore the forms.  When you have  more info.. go back and  add or correct the forms until they are ready to submit.

  • by johathonhoweth,

    johathonhoweth johathonhoweth Dec 29, 2013 3:14 AM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 29, 2013 3:14 AM in response to vinnyvg

    Dear Vinnyvg,

     

    Thank you greatly.

     

    Johnathonhoweth

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Dec 29, 2013 9:52 PM in response to johathonhoweth
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 29, 2013 9:52 PM in response to johathonhoweth
  • by Priyanka Creationz,

    Priyanka Creationz Priyanka Creationz Apr 10, 2014 10:22 AM in response to SeeSiong
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2014 10:22 AM in response to SeeSiong

    HAHAHA, I called +1 2679411099 and was on hold for 36 minutes, then finally lady with southern accent picked up my call and I only required to give my name , phone number and address. BAMN...i got my EIN in36+4 = 40 minutes....God bless you SeeSiong

  • by Pianisganteng,

    Pianisganteng Pianisganteng Apr 11, 2014 8:08 AM in response to resourcecy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 11, 2014 8:08 AM in response to resourcecy

    Finally i call the IRS. It takes up to 45 minutes to talk with the IRS officer. To fill the data of name, address, etc. Then just waiting for the letter from IRS contains the EIN number. And. Finish

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Apr 11, 2014 3:09 PM in response to Pianisganteng
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 11, 2014 3:09 PM in response to Pianisganteng

    What time ( USA) did you call?

     

    I  timed my call to around 6.30pm  USA East Coast time.... they finish work at 7pm and  most people are too busy with getting home after work or having dinner - so the  telephone line are usually clear.

    Around teh time I applied  there were literally 1000s per day/week  of application  going in from those getting into iBooksAuthor and wanting books in the store.  That rush  has now ended.

     

    When I telephoned after the Press 1  for this etc,. I got an agent within  1 minute and the call in total took 10 minutes.

     

    It takes about 2 weeks to get on the IRS database and accessed by "employers"  - so  it will be  that same 2 weeks before Apple can check the EIN and  approve a paid book account.

  • by flemishgael,

    flemishgael flemishgael May 17, 2014 5:20 PM in response to resourcecy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 17, 2014 5:20 PM in response to resourcecy

    I jad hoped to sell my books on the ibooks store, but if I have to go through the whole process of applying for an ITIN as an individual author I'd rather not.

    I've had no such problems on Createspace or Smashwords.

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