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

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

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

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5686280?answerId=24213175022#24213175022

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Dear Vinnyvg,

Thank you greatly.

Johnathonhoweth

Sorry.... forgot I had this link!

It will show you the contract process.

https://itunesconnect.apple.com/downloads/Documentation/ContractsTaxBanking.mov? itcKey=1369955192_56afcb6cb7142935d47c35deb452487a

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

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

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.

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.

flemishgael wrote:

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.

For those who find it too much trouble to sell directly, Apple provides a list of approved aggregators who do that work in your place: