Hello,

I've just received this email from VideoBlocks:

"Footage Firm Inc. dba VideoBlocks, GraphicStock and AudioBlocks is in the process of preparing its tax forms for 2015 and noted per our records that you have not completed either box 5 or 6 of the w-8 form that requires providing either an ITIN, SSN, EIN or FTIN in order to claim tax treaty benefits.

Per IRS guidelines, you are required to fill in the aforementioned boxes as you are claiming a reduced rate of, or exemption from withholding as a resident of a foreign country with which the United States has an income tax treaty and who is eligible for treaty benefits. Please refer to the top of page 6 of the form instructions: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs- pdf/iw8ben.pdf- "To claim certain treaty benefits, you must complete line 5 by submitting an SSN or ITIN, or line 6 by providing a foreign tax identification number (foreign TIN)." As such, it is mandatory that you provide one of the two forms of tax identification numbers referred to above. If this is not received by us, you will be taxed at the highest rate of 30%.

We understand that you may not have provided this information previously or with other agencies; however we appreciate your cooperation to assist us with complying with U.S. federal guidelines.

Please complete the form and send to us at your earliest availability, but no later than Tuesday, March 29th 2016.

Let us know if you have any questions regarding this."


I am a resident of a foreign country that has a tax treaty with United States for reduced rates to 10%.

I do not have a TIN or ITIN or any tax number as this is not required in my country.

All other agencies I submit to didn't asked me for a TIN or ITIN, I've not completed lines 5 and 6 from the W-8BEN and everything was ok.

What should I do? Did anyone else had this problem ?

Thanks!

Unless you've previously been issued an SSN, EIN or other TIN from the IRS... then you should use your foreign tax id number. That's whatever ID number your country's tax office uses to identify you. If you're from one of the few countries that don't have a tax ID and you're purely identified through name and date of birth (Like France for example), then you can apply for an EIN from the IRS and use that instead. 

Hi, I asked Videoblocks about it and I got this reply. I am an individual with tax treaty 0% in my country. I don�t have SSN, ITIN and foreign tax identifying number TIN. I provided my date of birth in line 8 in W-8BEN tax form, according the manual.


"Thanks for responding!

In order for you to qualify for a reduced tax withholding rate based on your country's tax treaty with the United States, the IRS requires a taxpayer identification number in your Tax Form. This number can either be completed in Line 5 with a SSN or ITIN or in Line 6 with a Foreign Tax Identifying Number (FTIN). In many cases the Foreign Tax Identifying Number is your Local Tax Number that your country uses for tax purposes. If you do not have an ITIN or FTIN, you can apply for an ITIN with the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Form-W7. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to get an ITIN. If you do not have a tax identification number, then your payouts are subject to the default withholding of 30%.

To complete this process, please go to the "Tax Forms" tab in the contributor portal where you declared yourself as a Non-US Person. Under that ' Tax Form' Tab, you will see a orange link that says 'Click Here to Submit a New Tax Form. Click this option and you will see 5 bullets with orange links next to them under "Please also fill in the form that applies to you:" near the top. You need to click on one of these links, which will take you to DocuSign, and then you will be able to submit the appropriate Tax Form for review. When completing the form, please be sure to complete Part I Boxes 1-4, Box 5 or Box 6, as well as Part II Box 9. Fill in Box 10 only if your country's royalty rates differ: https://contribute.videoblocks.com/faq/taxes/treaty_countries'.

Please note that we will be issuing you a 1042-S for your 2015 payments as soon as possible. Providing us a new form will not affect amounts reported for 2015. However, if we do not receive a new form, we will be required to withhold at a rate of 30% going forward.

Our team wants to make sure that you are able to receive the full treaty benefits you are eligible for, so thanks for your understanding and help in providing the required information for the IRS to make this possible!

Best, "

In many countries TIN = u're ID number (personal identification number). For ex:  if i'm going to pay my taxes in my country ,    
the form that i'll fill it asks for my ID number. U can try with u're ID number...

Quote from: PinHead on March 30, 2016, 06:24

In many countries TIN = u're ID number (personal identification number). For ex:  if i'm going to pay my taxes in my country ,    
the form that i'll fill it asks for my ID number. U can try with u're ID number...

Ok, I'll try with that and see if they accept the form.

Thanks !

I have the exact same problem here and I put my ID number as you guys suggested, could you please keep me updated if the form got accepted?

Quote from: hazem on April 06, 2016, 09:21

Quote from: MichaelRon on March 30, 2016, 09:31

Quote from: PinHead on March 30, 2016, 06:24

In many countries TIN = u're ID number (personal identification number). For ex:  if i'm going to pay my taxes in my country ,    
the form that i'll fill it asks for my ID number. U can try with u're ID number...

Ok, I'll try with that and see if they accept the form.

Thanks !

I have the exact same problem here and I put my ID number as you guys suggested, could you please keep me updated if the form got accepted?

Looks like my form got accepted by VB, not sure what happens next, just hope the ID number I've provided is what they need...

Oh that's great I hope mine get accepted soon, thanks for the quick reply michael I will let you know what happens too.

Mine was accepted

you provided your National ID number in the FTIN box and it got accepted? have you withdrawn the money without a problem? please let us know if you did.

After I sent them a mail inquiring about the status of the form, I just got a reply from them saying everything looks fine and I am good to go with my payments... not sure though, I will wait till I have my money sent after this struggle.

Hi,

I put my FTIN (foreign tax identifying number) - my local TAX number in my country to the Part I, Line 6 in W-8BEN form. They (Videoblocks) accepted my new TAX form, but I have still 30% witholding tax.

Did someone resolve this trouble and get 0% witholding for earnings on VB ?

It depends on your country of residence and the treaty they have with the US government, i.e. how much tax is normally withheld.
You should take it up with VB.

Hoping you've sorted this out now. If NOT, the 'Local Tax office number', that Videblocks insists on having is actually your National Insurance number! It took me two days on the phone to the Tax Office and increasingly vexed emails to Videoblocks to resolve this!