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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: phildaint on November 10, 2012, 07:41

Title: w-8ben help please
Post by: phildaint on November 10, 2012, 07:41
hi guys, this tax form thing on SS is mind boggling, and hoping you could help me out.

Stuck on sections 6, 7 and 8, to do with -

6. U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number ssn, itin, or ein
7.  Foreign tax identifying number, if any (optional)
8.. Reference number(s) (optional)

anyway not entirely sure on these parts, basically im just your average guy from the united kingdom with an average day job and doing this on the side for a bit of extra money.

Thanks in advance for any advice
Title: Re: w-8ben help please
Post by: fotografer on November 10, 2012, 08:17
I just left them blank
Title: Re: w-8ben help please
Post by: sgoodwin4813 on November 10, 2012, 08:29
Here's a link that might answer your question (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3105682?start=0&tstart=0).  I think it's optional but if you don't have a U.S. taxpayer identification number of some sort then they are required to withhold a certain percentage and send it to the IRS.
Title: Re: w-8ben help please
Post by: nicemonkey on November 10, 2012, 14:01
I have just been sent an email from fotolia saying that my W-8BEN form only last 3 years and I have to resubmit it to the Tax Centre. I have had a search around and am not sure what to do as before all the W-8BEN forms were sent back to each individual agencies. Has anyone else come across this?
Title: Re: w-8ben help please
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on November 10, 2012, 17:45
Official instructions from the IRS:
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8ben.pdf (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8ben.pdf)

2001 USA-UK Double Taxation Convention:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxtreaties/in-force/usa.pdf (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxtreaties/in-force/usa.pdf)

@phildaint: leave all 3 fields blank

@sgoodwin4813: I think they are required to withold 30% if you don't send the W-8BEN form.
If you send it - regardless of ITIN - they are required to withold a percentage based on specific tax treaty with your country. As an Italian resident, its 5% in my case. For the UK, it should be 0% (see Article 12 of the above Convention).

@nicemonkey: I didn't know about expiry date, but now that you mention... it's actually written in the IRS instructions above, so I guess we will hear from them soon.


Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not a legal advice. I only did - as many others here - a lot of research on this subject when we were first asked to submit the W-8BEN form some years ago: at the time, some agencies made it more difficult than it actually is, and even implied we should get an ITIN, but this request was later withdrawn.
Title: Re: w-8ben help please
Post by: OM on November 11, 2012, 13:11
hi guys, this tax form thing on SS is mind boggling, and hoping you could help me out.

Stuck on sections 6, 7 and 8, to do with -

6. U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number ssn, itin, or ein
7.  Foreign tax identifying number, if any (optional)
8.. Reference number(s) (optional)

anyway not entirely sure on these parts, basically im just your average guy from the united kingdom with an average day job and doing this on the side for a bit of extra money.

Thanks in advance for any advice

I'm a resident of NL but it makes no difference if you are resident in UK. I filled in the form as follows:

1. Name of individual or organization that is the beneficial owner.........Fill in full name


2. Country of corporation or organization..............Fill in 'N/A'

3. Type of beneficial owner:..............Check 'Indivividual' and leave all other options unchecked

4. Permanent residence address (street, apt. or suite no., or rural route). Do not use a P.O. box or in-care-of address.....Fill in required address details


Parts 5,6,7&8....... leave bank

9. I certify that (check all that apply):........ Check a. only and fill in your country. Leave all other options unchecked.

10 &11 Ignore

Go to end of form and sign it/date it or whatever is required.

That's it, assuming that you are a private individual/self-employed.