You replied to thread which is 12 months old ! I would assume that by now - although there is nothing further from the originall post - the issue has been resolved.
There is more than one thread about EIN numbers.
Apple require any and all persons wishing to place paid for books in the iBookstore. Its a failry easy application and can complete duroing a 10 - 12 minutes phone call to the IRS. Dont waste time with letters, written application by post or evec FAX. Phone and you have the number there and then.
All person are reqiured to fill in the and submitthe contracts which are found in iTunesConnect.
There are other conditions which apply to the UK, USA and Canada.
The UK residents also need an IBAN number from their bank.. it applies to the payments Apple will make to your bank if you sell.
Australians need an ABN and probable an IBAN or whatever legistlation required by the AU banking/tax system.
The best action would appear to look at the contracts online and make notes.
Al the suggestions from third parties about ITIN W8 BEN are - from my experience time wasters that confuse people.
For the EIN, You DO NOT need to have a limited company or whatever "your" country requires to formally register a commercial business.
Simply fill in the question box as sole trader - and your business is either publisher or eBook publisher or whatever you want to have.
Link to Form SSN4 http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
download this - fill it in - keep it with you when you telephone - they will ask you to confirm question using it.. it saves time.
This is the telpehone number. to use. 1-267-941-1099 USA IRS Telephone
They work 7am - 7pm I think its EST.
I found calling at their 6pm best and got through in about 15 seconds!
I purchased a cheap international phone card and used it to call the USA a 12 minutes call cost me about US 50cents !
Thats it - it takes Apple about 2 weeks to recognise your EIN number BUT you fill in and submit the contracts when you get it and wait for Apple. If there are issues they will email you. If you dont hear , I suugest you should have a book ready to publish and just deliver it! If you account is open.. it will deliver...
There is no mystery or tax office complications... do as I have listed above... and if your country has requirements that are individual to you.. then you will need to address them. I only know about UK and Australian requirements.
Last Word.. all the stuff about getting paid .. as above my UK bank issued an IBAN number - its about International money transacations TO YOUR BANK.. not Apples and if its required or whatever is required, is listed in your contracts. YOU need to open an iTunesConnect account - contracts are on the opening page.
Unless its changed in teh past 6 months.. IF you have a free book account - You will be required to open a new apple account and use that to apply for a paid sellers account - dont question Apples logic.. it dont work!
A few repeats - to drive it home. Sorry.....
