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Agency Based Discussion => VideoBlocks => Topic started by: otokohanhan on May 16, 2018, 21:29

Title: Payout Storyblock
Post by: otokohanhan on May 16, 2018, 21:29
Hi all, what the meaning at below.
This mean the pay is already transfer to my paypal account??

What is the meaning of Tax Withheld???
Fyi. I from country which is not in the list of tax treaty of US.



Payment #   Sales Period   Total Sales   Discount   CC Trans. Fee   Tax Withheld   Net Payout   Day Paid   Receipt
--   --               $49.00                  *        *                 $1.84 *               $14.15 *   $33.01 *     Jun 15, 2018 *   --
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 17, 2018, 01:55
It's their way of getting your portion of "100%" payment. Misleading marketing to get as many contributors on their site.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Photo London UK on May 17, 2018, 02:03
Basically, if your country is not one of the zero withholding tax countries (between the US and your home country)  they will cut tax automatically. You should fill up W-8BEN form.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 17, 2018, 02:06
Basically, if your country is not one of the zero withholding tax countries (between the US and your home country)  they will cut tax automatically. You should fill up W-8BEN form.

Tried that, didn't work. All other agencies don't pick tax, just videoblocks/storyblocks does.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on May 17, 2018, 02:45
...and VideoHive and iStock and probably some others.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on May 17, 2018, 02:50
It's their way of getting your portion of "100%" payment. Misleading marketing to get as many contributors on their site.

They pay it to the IRS so they aren't getting anything from withholding it. If you don't believe that, just drop a quick note to the IRS. If money is being withheld but not remitted, Storyblocks will be slapped with a massive fine which they probably won't recover from.

So you have to ask yourself, is it more likely that they're doing what they should be doing... or are they doing something that could land them in a lot of trouble which could easily be discovered if one of thousands of providers happened to send an email to the IRS?
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 17, 2018, 03:48
...and VideoHive and iStock and probably some others.

Also the most shittiest agencies you shouldn't upload to. But why listen to experts, just devalue your works like 99% amateur videographers do in all fields of video production. Like shooting a wedding for $200. #GG

Concerning about taxes, there is a reason why tax exemptions exist. If they don't care and just pick taxes with all sales without respecting the W-8BEN form it's misleading marketing of their almighty "100% contributor income share" many of your kind are promoting as "good thing for industry", which in fact isn't and you earns less than Pond5, Adobe and even in some cases of different licenses on Shutterstock.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 17, 2018, 04:21
I get 100% from VB (minus PayPal). The W-8BEN works just fine.

The issue is between your country's government and the US government.

All companies operating from the US are required to take out these taxes by the IRS.

Ever notice how the Pond5 payments come from Pond5 IRELAND? They have set up part of their business there in a way that seemingly allows them not to have to withhold US taxes.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on May 17, 2018, 10:08
...and VideoHive and iStock and probably some others.

Also the most shittiest agencies you shouldn't upload to. But why listen to experts, just devalue your works like 99% amateur videographers do in all fields of video production. Like shooting a wedding for $200. #GG

Concerning about taxes, there is a reason why tax exemptions exist. If they don't care and just pick taxes with all sales without respecting the W-8BEN form it's misleading marketing of their almighty "100% contributor income share" many of your kind are promoting as "good thing for industry", which in fact isn't and you earns less than Pond5, Adobe and even in some cases of different licenses on Shutterstock.

Sorry, but that's all nonsense. You do earn 100%... just like if your company tells you you earn $50,000 and you earn $50,000 and you tell all your friends you make $50,000. You do, but what you get taxed is completely different to that. Are Pond5 lying because they say you get 50% but you actually have to pay 10/20/30% to the taxman on top of that? Or is it just the fact that VideoBlocks tax you at the source which is confusing you and making you feel it's some kind of scam?
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: trucic on May 17, 2018, 12:31
... problem is that they take withholding sum for ALL files sold on their system, not just for sales made in USA like others... in my case, -30% on anything sold there...
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: mindstorm on May 17, 2018, 15:12
It's their way of getting your portion of "100%" payment. Misleading marketing to get as many contributors on their site.

Just because you are paranoid, don't spread such absolute tripe -- here or preferably anywhere else.  That is blatantly false, and you should either know that, or get a basic education before opening your mouth.

The invoice is completely legit.  First it shows your earnings.  It then shows the charge your credit card (or wire transfer, or whatever) charged the agency to get you the money.  If you don't like paying that, then you need to find another way of getting paid.  It makes sense that the agency is not going to pick that charge up.  I am going to Botswana in a couple months. The guide said I could pay by credit card, and add 2.5% (what the card charges them) extra, or wire transfer with no fee.  Same thing here.

The tax withholding is required by US law.  If your country does not have a tax treaty with the US, then they are required to withhold that, because you technically earned money in the US (where your agency resides).  At the end of the year, you will need to file a US tax return, showing (presumably) too low an income for US taxes, and the US Treasury will then refund your money. (The agency DOES NOT HAVE YOUR WITHHELD MONEY -- it goes to the IRS).

Again, if you don't like doing that, then set up a mailing address in some country friendly to the US.  (For example, I live in South America, but have a US mailing address and US bank account to avoid the very problems you are wondering about).
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: mindstorm on May 17, 2018, 15:16
... problem is that they take withholding sum for ALL files sold on their system, not just for sales made in USA like others... in my case, -30% on anything sold there...

Then complain to the US Federal Government, or IRS, whichever way you prefer to waste your time.  The companies have no option but to follow the tax laws of the country in which they do business.  Bitching here won't change that for that agency, or any other...
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: trucic on May 17, 2018, 15:30
 
... problem is that they take withholding sum for ALL files sold on their system, not just for sales made in USA like others... in my case, -30% on anything sold there...

Then complain to the US Federal Government, or IRS, whichever way you prefer to waste your time.  The companies have no option but to follow the tax laws of the country in which they do business.  Bitching here won't change that for that agency, or any other...
... no hard feelings, mindstorm... I don`t understand what is upsetting you...
btw, I gave up on SB, after they gave me answer about withholding... just sporadic if any uploads...
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 17, 2018, 17:41
It's their way of getting your portion of "100%" payment. Misleading marketing to get as many contributors on their site.

Just because you are paranoid, don't spread such absolute tripe -- here or preferably anywhere else.  That is blatantly false, and you should either know that, or get a basic education before opening your mouth.

The invoice is completely legit.  First it shows your earnings.  It then shows the charge your credit card (or wire transfer, or whatever) charged the agency to get you the money.  If you don't like paying that, then you need to find another way of getting paid.  It makes sense that the agency is not going to pick that charge up.  I am going to Botswana in a couple months. The guide said I could pay by credit card, and add 2.5% (what the card charges them) extra, or wire transfer with no fee.  Same thing here.

The tax withholding is required by US law.  If your country does not have a tax treaty with the US, then they are required to withhold that, because you technically earned money in the US (where your agency resides).  At the end of the year, you will need to file a US tax return, showing (presumably) too low an income for US taxes, and the US Treasury will then refund your money. (The agency DOES NOT HAVE YOUR WITHHELD MONEY -- it goes to the IRS).

Again, if you don't like doing that, then set up a mailing address in some country friendly to the US.  (For example, I live in South America, but have a US mailing address and US bank account to avoid the very problems you are wondering about).

Well, lady.... before opening your mouth and bitching about things you don't know, read my text carefully first. My country does have tax treaty with US and every other agency doesn't have a problem with that. Only VB has. Now go figure.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on May 17, 2018, 23:25
So what should be the withholding rate for your country? Or, what is your country, would probably be a better question?
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 18, 2018, 00:58
5% in few cases max. Rarely 22%.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 01:02
My country does have tax treaty with US and every other agency doesn't have a problem with that. Only VB has. Now go figure.

Have you renewed the W-8BEN? They usually require you to fill it out again each year and I know one time there was a bug that reset the W-8BEN so you had to fill it out again.

The W-8BEN works fine for me at VB and there are no taxes withheld.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: Video-StockOrg on May 18, 2018, 02:45
My country does have tax treaty with US and every other agency doesn't have a problem with that. Only VB has. Now go figure.

Have you renewed the W-8BEN? They usually require you to fill it out again each year and I know one time there was a bug that reset the W-8BEN so you had to fill it out again.

The W-8BEN works fine for me at VB and there are no taxes withheld.

Tried it twice already. Anyway, I gave up on this agency because of low sales too.
Title: Re: Payout Storyblock
Post by: HalfFull on May 18, 2018, 05:29
My country does have tax treaty with US and every other agency doesn't have a problem with that. Only VB has. Now go figure.

Have you renewed the W-8BEN? They usually require you to fill it out again each year and I know one time there was a bug that reset the W-8BEN so you had to fill it out again.

The W-8BEN works fine for me at VB and there are no taxes withheld.

Tried it twice already. Anyway, I gave up on this agency because of low sales too.

Have you tried asking them? I've always had a quick response from them when I've had a problem/query.

After completing my tax form I didn't have any funds withheld. The first sale did as it was soon after I started uploading but once they approved the form, they corrected the amount so nothing was withheld.