MicrostockGroup

Reading through the SS forum thread, this look like a complete mess.  As none of the other US based sites ask for this, I can't see many people doing it just for shutterstock.  They will have to explain why they need the ITIN number when I know other US companies just ask for a W-8BEN form to be filled in every few years.

Macro agencies have had to deal with this for years. i can't think of one that hasn't asked for a w-8BEN form. The form requires either a ITIN or EIN to be valid. It is probably something that will catch up with all US based micros as the default to collect tax will probably land on the micros door. If they don't collect it doesn't mean they shouldn't have and may be liable for it or a fine. My advice is get the number. As far as I can tell you never actually have to deal with the IRS after that. It's a simple enough process and once complete your good to go. W-BEN takes a minute to fill out and that's it. I don't think I have gotten asked for a second one from anybody. They don't seem to expire. The idea of paying 30% or higher to Uncle Sam, who is not even my cousin, doesn't sit right with me and this makes it all very legal and complete.

Sounds reasonably painless - thanks for the info Zeus.  Guess I get a number.

Oh , nice , Im in doubt , to leave Croatia or close the my SS account.

Obama is the new Bush. I for one welcome our new Obama groupie overlords. Foreigners Beware: After seizing your SS revenues, Obama's next step will be to start waterboarding all of you.

Im not an accountant and I just came from a concert so I'm not in the best for for thinking , but one thing comes to my mind

With this logic , don't all those countries where the buyers are from have the same rights as US in this case , and are also entitled to their part of the cake from all the cumulative fee that left their borders from its citizens pockets.

Also , if we, that provide free images to SS , (cause we are not payed for the upload) have to pay taxes to US where SS is based , with same logic SS would have to pay part of its income that came from our images to our governments the same way as we do ?

Why would SS avoid double taxes and we don't , or why would US have more rights than other countries in this case ?  

I am paying taxes in the UK. And apparently if I fill these forms I won't pay anything to US authorities.

But why all the hassle? Unbelievable! Why can't I just get a letter from Inland Revenue in the UK or basically a letter from my accountant, or paperwork that shows I already pay taxes in the UK.

Why all the BS!?

It's interesting to see the people who were bashing the smaller Micro sites the other day now considering leaving the big old SS...

How things can change in a heart beat. Guess there is no good Micro agency after all...

Flemmish, can't you notarize copies of your document in the Philippines? They just need to verify that the copy matches the original. It doesn't mater in which language it is.

Notarized copies... Funny how different countries work.  I have a bank account in UK and, as a non-UK resident, I was able to apply not to pay taxes on investments. All I had to do was fill in a form, sign that I was telling the truth, etc, etc.  I guess the fact that my address was not in UK also counted, but then this is not much for a proof.

Geez, what other sites are based in USA?  I hope that doesn't happen in FT, although my account is in FT US (not of my choice).  I'm not in SS, so I haven't been affected... yet!


SS pays their taxes in USA, where they operate. The fact that many buyers and members are from other countries is irrelevant, they are not operating in these countries directly.  It is the buyer who accesses a US website, he is purchasing abroad.  

It's actually pretty simple here. Notary offices are everywhere and they do it for $10.

SS, not the photographer, is the seller - that's why we receive a commission.

I hate to be the devils advocate here, but as you say, you are not selling the images, SS is. You are receiving royalty income from a US source.

I have some Brazilian company stocks and when they pay dividends, I pay taxes to Brazil. I used to have stocks of Nokia and I similarly had to pay taxes to Finland. The concept is not new. I really think SS should seriously consider moving somewhere else if they want to remain competitive.