w-8ben

by Renee Paule
25th October 2013

Has anyone got to grips with this form or managed to contact the IRS directly by phone?

Replies

Hmm, well in order for them to be satisfied that you are a UK citizen or a member of another country that has a tax witholding agreement with the US they require proof which includes a copy of your passport notarised or the original passport and a form W-7 filled out. If you fill it out correctly and pass their requirements then you get the W-8 BEN form which has your Tax Identification Number on it.

Good luck - with the TIN number it means you don't pay 30% of any royalties to the US government with not much hope of getting it back.

Profile picture for user tony@mem_29636
Tony
Tingle
270 points
Practical publishing
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Poetry
Short stories
Fiction
Business, Management and Education
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Food, Drink and Cookery
Media and Journalism
Speculative Fiction
Popular science, Social science, Medical Science
Practical and Self-Help
Historical
Gothic and Horror
Philosophy and Religion
Romance
Sports
Tony Tingle
26/10/2013

Nope. They didn't ask for anything. I live in France now so that may make a difference.

Profile picture for user reneepau_28626
Renee
Paule
330 points
Practical publishing
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Popular science, Social science, Medical Science
Practical and Self-Help
Renee Paule
26/10/2013

Presume you've sent them documents notarised to prove you are a UK citizen as that's where it all starts. I sent my passport in the end.

Profile picture for user tony@mem_29636
Tony
Tingle
270 points
Practical publishing
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Poetry
Short stories
Fiction
Business, Management and Education
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Adventure
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Food, Drink and Cookery
Media and Journalism
Speculative Fiction
Popular science, Social science, Medical Science
Practical and Self-Help
Historical
Gothic and Horror
Philosophy and Religion
Romance
Sports
Tony Tingle
25/10/2013