resourcecy

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 SeeSiong,

    SeeSiong SeeSiong Feb 5, 2013 6:18 PM in response to macmanue
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2013 6:18 PM in response to macmanue

    Hi Macmanue,

     

    Thanks for the info.

     

    To those international applicants:

    I am from Malaysia, have never been to US. Anyway I have called this number +1 (267) 941 1099 (meant for International applicants) and I got my EIN within minutes but I was told to wait couples of weeks before Apple iTunes can capture the EIN into their systems.

     

    Before this I actually have called the 1-800-829-4933 and the lady knows nothing about EIN for international applicants.

     

    Thx again.

  • by djlard,

    djlard djlard Apr 12, 2013 8:05 AM in response to resourcecy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 12, 2013 8:05 AM in response to resourcecy

    Re: EIN...

     

    Just done it now - call +1 267 941 1000 from the UK ten minute phone call - job done

  • by cguida1978it,

    cguida1978it cguida1978it May 23, 2013 12:32 AM in response to djlard
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2013 12:32 AM in response to djlard

    Hi everyone...

     

    I was wondering if anyone of you could help in replying to a, mayb stupid, question. I just applied for EIN to the IRS (as an app developer), i live in Italy. The question is: what happens if I don't use my EIN for a while?

     

    The story is this. I required the EIN to be able to sell my apps on the AppStore (iOS), but I had some problems with my eys in the last weeks, so I can't update any app on the AppStore and I don't know when I will be able to start developing again.

     

    Obviously I woun't receive any income from Apple, no apps are on store at the moment...

     

    Do I need to file some taxes returns even if no income?

     

    Thank you for helping...

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg May 23, 2013 5:32 PM in response to cguida1978it
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    May 23, 2013 5:32 PM in response to cguida1978it

    The IRS issued that EIN and I assume you have already submitted and opened an iBooks "selling" account.

     

    It does not matter which country  you are resident.

     

    Nothing will happen. Everything will stay as you have it now. Neither your Apple account or the EIN  will "expire" due to lack of use.

     

    I would not worry about filing tax returns etc,.  logically no matter what your situation should you have tax or other documents from the US, all you need to comply with your legal obligation and if you  think it needs be, include a note explaining your situation.

    This relates  to your Apple account,  if you have a business or you are an employee in your normal occupation, then your local taxes are still applicable according to Italian Tax laws.

     

     

     

     

  • by cguida1978it,

    cguida1978it cguida1978it May 24, 2013 12:46 AM in response to vinnyvg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 24, 2013 12:46 AM in response to vinnyvg

    Thank you very much for your reply. Really I did not submit for a paid app contracts. The situation is just I required the EIN to the IRS and they issued it through phone.

     

    So I have no business with Apple, nor I have business with others in the US.

     

    My eyes problems are quite new!

     

    But, if you could be so kind to explain me two more things if you can... First, could you reform your sentence that I was not able to clearly understand it:

     

    "I would not worry about filing tax returns etc,.  logically no matter what your situation should you have tax or other documents from the US, all you need to comply with your legal obligation and if you  think it needs be, include a note explaining your situation."

     

    Second thing... I read in the iTunes Connect FAQ that Apple does not withhold proceeds from US Store, so why we need to fill the W-8BEN? So, in case I will have some income from Apple, will I need to file a form 1040 or similar to the IRS?

     

    And what happens for other countries sales? For example if you sell in Spain, Russia, Cina etc... Do we need to file taxes for each of those country treasure department? I hope that all income from foreign countries could be filed here in Italy!

     

    Someone told me that, just because I'm a not a resident in US (or other countries), I have to file taxes only in my country (Italy) as a foreign incomes.

     

    Can you help me in clear those things?

     

    I really appreciate your help, and sorry if those questions seem to be quite naive or trivial, but I really need to be regular for both, US and Italy laws.

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg May 24, 2013 6:10 AM in response to cguida1978it
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    May 24, 2013 6:10 AM in response to cguida1978it

    A problem when dealing with Apple is that sometimes  their requirements seem to contradict.

    You  requested an EIN in order to sell you  apps but  optical problems  seem to prevent this happening at this time.

    Your question related to NOT using your EIN.

     

    When you  contact IRS you supplied information of form SS-4.  

    If you expect your employment tax liability to be $1,000

    or less in a full calendar year and want to file Form 944

    annually instead of Forms 941 quarterly, check here.

    (Your employment tax liability generally will be $1,000

    or less if you expect to pay $4,000 or less in total

    wages.) If you do not check this box, you must file

    Form 941 for every quarter

     

    This requirement may come   into affect eventually and depending on your selected option.

    As it is if everything stays as you say... you will eother recives no returns to  fulfill or  if requested will be a Zero return.

     

    In short,  forget it and concentrate on your optical recuperation and  if and when its resolved, you can re-start work on your apps.

     

    With regard Italian Tax laws, sorry I cannot help.. BUT if you have no additional earnings then you have nothing to declare.

  • by Pianisganteng,

    Pianisganteng Pianisganteng Aug 16, 2013 2:23 PM in response to resourcecy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 2:23 PM in response to resourcecy

    Hello.

    I just get the EIN number by phone. I am from Indonesia. But the official says that I must wait for two weeks to receive the letters from IRS that make sure the data is correct. Is it true? Then my question is : is it okay for non US citizen apply for EIN number? I mean that we will NOT in a rush by the IRS and pay the administration fees, interest, or something like that, or pay some tax that we don't know? I mean I want to sell the books for free example. I will not receive any money (royalty) from my books that I sell in iTunes. But I'm affraid if the IRS ask to pay the tax...:). A

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Aug 17, 2013 3:16 AM in response to Pianisganteng
    Level 9 (79,055 points)
    Aug 17, 2013 3:16 AM in response to Pianisganteng

    Pianisganteng wrote:

     

    I want to sell the books for free

     

    From the FAQ

     

    Do I need a U.S. Tax ID?

    If you sign up for a Free Books Account, no U.S. Tax ID is required. Free Books Accounts cannot be changed it into Paid Books Accounts. If you set up a Free Books Account and later decide you have books you'd like to sell, you will need to create a new Paid Books Account.

     

    http://www.apple.com/itunes/content-providers/book-faq.html

  • by matthewd9495,

    matthewd9495 matthewd9495 Sep 19, 2013 11:52 AM in response to spicycauldron.com
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 19, 2013 11:52 AM in response to spicycauldron.com

    I was wondering if you could go in to more information in a email convosation.

     

    <Email Edited by Host>

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Sep 19, 2013 11:51 AM in response to matthewd9495
    Level 9 (79,055 points)
    Sep 19, 2013 11:51 AM in response to matthewd9495

    Are you having a problem following the FAQ?

  • by djlard,

    djlard djlard Sep 19, 2013 11:59 AM in response to resourcecy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 19, 2013 11:59 AM in response to resourcecy

    call +1 267 941 1000 from the UK ten minute phone call - job done

  • by loz114,

    loz114 loz114 Dec 21, 2013 4:12 AM in response to djlard
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Notebooks
    Dec 21, 2013 4:12 AM in response to djlard

    Obvisiously you are selling books on iBooks, what steps did you take in getting started?

     

    I'm just getting started and being completely lost in all this copy right, EIN etc. You seemed to have cracked it

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Dec 21, 2013 5:06 AM in response to loz114
    Level 9 (79,055 points)
    Dec 21, 2013 5:06 AM in response to loz114

    If the info already provided here is not enough, then it could be that the best route for you is to use an Aggregator.

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Dec 22, 2013 2:34 PM in response to loz114
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 22, 2013 2:34 PM in response to loz114

    Before you start  thinking about creating  books,  you first need to know and understand  iBooks Author and the Apple system  and requirments to place your books in the iBooks store.

     

    People who seem to have "cracked it" have spent time and effort to understand what is required other than downloading some free software that creates books.

     

    I suggest you spend some hours reding the many threads on this  forum, the help files accesses in iBooks Authors top menu and also... read ALL the tips which head this group and also these...

     

    http://www.apple.com/support/mac-apps/ibooksauthor/

     

    For paid books accounts no matter which country or laws apply... you will need to obtain an EIN and supply all your bank details + agree to Apples contract conditions.

  • by johathonhoweth,

    johathonhoweth johathonhoweth Dec 26, 2013 10:12 PM in response to Tom Gewecke
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2013 10:12 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

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

     

    I would love a simple step by step list from Apple or anyone to publish a paid ibook on itunes. How do I get an EIN from Australia as every number listed on this blog gives me, 'number not connected'. How do I open a bank account in America for Apple's demands?

     

    Is there an aggregator that uploads in ibook format?

     

    For such a structured organisation that prides itself on simplicity, this process is a complete shambles.

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