Q: Do I have to get US tax-payer ID to sell my eBooks? I live in UK.

Yes, just what it says in the faq, it doesn't matter where you live.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/working-itunes/sell-content/books/book-faq.html

Andrew,  being in the UK, you will also need to get an IBAN number from your  bank. Its  for Apple sending  money into the UK. I appled  online  using my internet banking, but  you can apply in person at your local branch.

A word of advice,  Download the  SS44 pdf, fill it in as much as you can and have it with you when you phone the Tax office.  "Entity" confuses some... use either your name or "Andrews eBooks" for example.

Its better to phone the tax office around 6.30pm their time which I think is New York.

I  purchased  ( while I am in Aussie) a $10 phone card for landline use, not sure  about their availablity in the UK these days. 

The agenst in the tax office office are well versed in dealing with EIN numbers for Apple new generation of book authors and are very helpful... and mindful that you are a phoning long  distance. They will ask if you  have teh SS4 filled in and then starting at the top using the box numbers to get the info from you.

Any blanks they will guide you through them.

It takes about 10 - 15 minutes after you get  connected.. so  dont  phone in their peak times or you just go on hold.  The phone number is in the  SS-4.

They will issue you the number  on the phone and its confirmed in writing  and takes a couple of weeks.

When you fill in the contracts and banking section in tyoiur account  iTunes Connect,  you will need the EIN and IBAN  numbers. After submitting, it takes Apple  about two weeks to confirm your details and open  your paid books account.

I  have no emails of confirmation - which leaves you in  limbo... so if your book is  finished, just set about uploading it with iTunesProducer.

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

Hi Andrew

I have recently been in the same situation that you are in.  It too live in the UK..

How it worked for me...

1) I called the IRS by dialling: 001 267 941 1000

2) the automated system said I would be in a queue for approximately 30 minutes

3) I queued for 1 hour

4) when my call was answered I explained I was in the UK and I am writing an iBook so I am requesting the EIN.

5) I was asked if I had filled out an SS4 form. I said no. He filled it in for me over the phone.

6) he asked me some easy to answer questions.

7) within less than 5 minutes I had been given my EIN number so I could use it instantly.

8) I had a paper copy through the post 3 weeks later.

hope that helps

Rich.

First download the SS4 form and fill it in before you make a telephone call.

Phone the number  0011 - 267-941-1099 its  option 1 for EIN

This is from an old EIN  thread - see page 11  https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3689758?start=150&tstart=0

The number you  used  seems to be the  general enquiry number. 

The number above  has been  used - without queing by  users of this  group with few problems.The problems usually being phoning at  peak (USA) periods.

The Office is open until 7pm - when most home from work  folk are having their evening meal, so phoning at around 6.30pm EST tends to be the best option.

Downloading  the SS-4 PDF - printing it off and filling it in allows  time to understand what is required and construct the correct information and saves  time during the call.

Take into account that not every applicant as English as their first language and form  filling and understanding the requirments may not be  so easy to them.