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

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Q: US TAX ID - The Big Dilemma

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  • by dinobu,

    dinobu dinobu Apr 28, 2012 2:23 PM in response to MichiHenning
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 28, 2012 2:23 PM in response to MichiHenning

    Thank you

  • by AG_779,

    AG_779 AG_779 May 10, 2012 11:44 AM in response to Radoslav
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 10, 2012 11:44 AM in response to Radoslav

    Looking at ITIN and EIN form, it seems EIN doesn't have any place in the form to add treaty with country of business. Does this mean you have to file a US Tax return to get your refund back every year?

     

    EIN seems to be an easier process to fill than ITIN, but might give me hassle later on. Can anybody confirm this?

     

    Also, can anybody confirm that sending a photocopy of passport that is authenticated by passport issuer (Canadian Goverment) is OK with IRS? Canadian goverment didn't sign Hague Yada Yada.

     

    Thanks

  • by staffansolve,

    staffansolve staffansolve May 16, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Kathrin76
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2012 2:09 PM in response to Kathrin76

    Hello,

    Did you get your entry to your Paid Books account? If so, how long did it take after you got your EIN and entered it into the Apple registration process? I got my EIN over phone two days ago, and today I got feedback from Apple that they have not yet found my record with IRS. BR Staffan Solve, Sweden

  • by AG_779,

    AG_779 AG_779 May 16, 2012 5:09 PM in response to staffansolve
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2012 5:09 PM in response to staffansolve

    I also just got my IEN. I heard it takes about a week for Apple to recieve your IEN from IRS.

  • by USTaxTime,

    USTaxTime USTaxTime Jun 11, 2012 5:55 PM in response to Radoslav
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 11, 2012 5:55 PM in response to Radoslav

    For any questins regarding US Tax issues for authors or developers, please contact www.ustaxtime.com

     

    I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by AshDav,

    AshDav AshDav Jul 16, 2012 4:24 AM in response to Radoslav
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2012 4:24 AM in response to Radoslav

    Anyone wanting to publish who's unable to or doesn't want to register for US tax, check out this label.

     

    http://www.tablo.com.au

     

    They publish iBooks Author textbooks on itunes for commission. Like a Lulu or Smashwords for iBooks.

  • by BlackEd,

    BlackEd BlackEd Jul 18, 2012 11:33 AM in response to ndebello-com
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2012 11:33 AM in response to ndebello-com

    Hi ndebello,

    I'm from Italy too, may I ask you if you managed to complete the hole process and let it work?

    My business consultant wasn't very helpful and I still have to understand how it works with taxes.

    I wouldn't end up paying taxes twice in the US and Italy!

     

    Thanks in advance,

    Ed

  • by matsnaxe,

    matsnaxe matsnaxe Sep 24, 2012 2:20 AM in response to buildyo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 2:20 AM in response to buildyo

    You said back in february that you faxed in the forms. Can you tell me where to fax them? I cannot find a fax number! Thanks

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Oct 19, 2012 3:51 PM in response to john buck1
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 19, 2012 3:51 PM in response to john buck1

    I have online "stores" with two US based "Print on Demand" web sites, using my photo images to put onto T Shirts etc,.  One simply needs their online form filling with land address etc,. the other requires a W8BEN form filled in , scanned and emailed to them.

     

    Having read a post which includes....

    "There is a requirement to obtain a US Tax ID if you wish to make your books available in the US market.

     

    Does this indicate that by removing the USA from territory sales in iTunese Connect - that it also removes the need to get involved Ein's or whatever the tax forms are??



  • by AshDav,

    AshDav AshDav Oct 19, 2012 9:01 PM in response to vinnyvg
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    Oct 19, 2012 9:01 PM in response to vinnyvg

    Unfortunately this isn't the case. The US Tax IDs are required to register as a publisher with Apple, as all transactions and payments are made via the USA. Even if you only wish to sell your content locally, you still need these details to work directly with Apple.

  • by The Cradle Mob,

    The Cradle Mob The Cradle Mob Oct 23, 2012 4:43 PM in response to Radoslav
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 23, 2012 4:43 PM in response to Radoslav

    The biggest rip-off is that if you live outside the USA, as we do, and you are forced to get a USA Tax ID, Apple withholds 30% of your royalty payments for the IRS. It isnt just the tax ID that is the issue, its the IRS getting money for nothing. Example, we wrote a book that is only relevant to the state we live in. It will only sell in this state in Australia. We have to declare the income from the book to our own government, charge and pass on to our govt 10% GST (australian Goods and Services Tax), and then the IRA wants 30% of the royalty, and you dont get to discuss it, Apple deducts it. Plus, if you publish an electronic book via Apple, they have the sole rights to it, you cant then publish it electronically elsewhere. The IRS has a list of countries that have treatys with America that can reduce the IRS's 30%, but ours isnt one of them. The alphabetic list starts with Lithuania. The moral to this story is, dont publish with Apple. Download free software such as Abobe Digital Editions, and sell the work from your own website. We refuse to pay the IRS money because Apple happens to be an American company. Read all the fine print, and just say "no".

  • by john buck1,

    john buck1 john buck1 Oct 23, 2012 5:26 PM in response to The Cradle Mob
    Level 1 (73 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 23, 2012 5:26 PM in response to The Cradle Mob

    Mmm

    Sure you are angry but your facts aren't right. I too live in Australia and the US Government has had tax treaty agreements with the ATO for many years and they cover things from working in either country - and book publishing.

     

    Please go here to see the list.... which starts with A for Armenia.

     

    The other point I think worth repeating is that nobody is telling you that you have to publish with Apple..

    If you don't like Apple's system, go to a competitor.

     

    Amazon or Barnes and Noble..Kobo....and Adobe Digital Editions

    None are free or unrestricted.

    They all impose restrictions and DRM and royalties.

    Because you are using their sales system to make money.

     

    Or go to an Australian company like Tablo and let them deal with the EIN and IRS and ATO

     

    Or release your book for free with no DRM and there are no fees. And no returns

     

    Just my 2c worth

     

    John

  • by vinnyvg,

    vinnyvg vinnyvg Oct 23, 2012 5:23 PM in response to The Cradle Mob
    Level 4 (1,880 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 23, 2012 5:23 PM in response to The Cradle Mob

    and sell the work from your own website.

     

    But dont use iBooks Author to create your book! 

     

    I am sure that iBA is supplied free to enable users to create pubication to be sold by Apple in their store.

    You cannot use "their" software to create a product, sell it online - even in from your own websites. I think you are allowed to use iBA and use where you want IF its given FREE.

     

    I downloaded an app - "Book Creator"  obviously its not as sophisticated as iBA, but  you have text only, picture book, portrait, square and Landscape book style options and you can iunsert multi media.

    Most of your content  preparation needs to be  done outside the app and imported.

     

    I only create photo books with  captions/comments and only occasionally to I need to enter pages of text.

     

    The app  ( cost is around $3 )  is gaining  users and  and getting better with  each update,

     

    There are no restriction s on its use and distribution.   Whats more... if you have issues to resolve,  problem is dealt with by THE MAN, not a support team.

     

    There are other apps, but are usually a vehicvle to publish your content  on the websites or whatever.

     

    I have no connection other than a user of "Book Creator". Its also handy to have iPad if only to  try out idea's!

     

    I am in NSW, but my Apple and bank account is UK before exiting a sinking ship to the land of sun, and  that causes me problems with Apple and tax.

     

    I  wish I had the  knowledge to write a similar application to iBA - there must be a huge market waiting to make eBooks and market with more or less 100% control.

     

    If you have not  read my  post 3 up from this - its shows not all USA based companies are so anal on tax forms and a simple W8BEN for non USA citizens is enough.


  • by nessfromsa,

    nessfromsa nessfromsa Oct 29, 2012 10:59 PM in response to MichiHenning
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2012 10:59 PM in response to MichiHenning

    Hi MichiHenning,

    thanks for all your detailed answers, I was wondering if you at any stage during your application (specifically when in itunes connect filling in the tax forms) did you fill in the W8-BEN form?

     

    This is accessible in: Contracts, Tax and banking section. Under tax>  US Tax forms  and after answering "yes" to the following question:

    Do you have any U.S. Business Activities?

    In general, you have U.S. Business Activities if you have employees in the United States, or own, lease or control equipment or other assets in the United States that you use to derive revenue from the iBookstore.

    It is here I get confused and apple states you WILL not be able to resubmit or hange this. Presently I do not derive revenue so feel the need to answer  "no" and go no further.

     

    But everywhere I read people are filling in th W8-BEN form, leading to my confusion.

    Thanks in advance.

    Vanessa

  • by nessfromsa,

    nessfromsa nessfromsa Oct 29, 2012 11:05 PM in response to nessfromsa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2012 11:05 PM in response to nessfromsa

    Sorry I meant the:

    Form W-8ECI: Certificate of Foreign Person's Claim That Income Is
    Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or
    Business in the United States

    Also are you required to file a U.S. income tax return (whether an individual return or corporate return) with respect to the income you earn from the iBookstore?

    Thanks Michi.

    Apologies for the mistake

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