How do I answer a W-8BEN-E question (USA IRS)

How do I answer a W-8BEN-E question (USA IRS)

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My company provides copyrighted designs to a USA company (Zazzle). Whenever they sell a product using one of those designs, my company receives a royalty fee. We also promote products from other Zazzle designers. Whenever this leads to a sale of such a product, we receive a commission / referral fee.

As the UK has a tax treaty with the USA we have to submit a form W-8BEN-E form to Zazzle so that withholding tax of up to 30% is not withheld. This year the IRS has changed the original W-8BEN form so that foreign corporations now have to submit a W-8BEN-E form. My company has applied for and been given a USA EIN (Employer Identification Number) to be used with the form.

Online research tells me that we do not need to fill in line 15 of the form yet Zazzle are insisting that we do or they will withhold at 30%.

Can someone with experience of this form advise whether or not we do need to supply information for Line 15 - and what that information should be?

Thanks :)

Replies (4)

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By nogammonsinanundoubledgame
08th Jul 2015 08:32

In cases like this ...

... I just phone the IRS helpline.  I find them very helpful.  Far more so than HMRC helplines.

With kind regards

Clint Westwood

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Replying to ireallyshouldknowthisbut:
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By Cilco
08th Jul 2015 14:33

...but conflicting advice being given

Unfortunately others in similar positions are reporting receving different and conflicting advice when they speak to the IRS.

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By edrogers
30th Jul 2015 16:08

Contacting IRS

Hi,

I have one of these forms to complete. I am based in the UK.

Can you give me direction on how best to contact the IRS for help filling out this form? Preferably a telephone number I can call.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

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By yolo rolo
30th Jul 2015 18:07

Bring a pillow

last time I called them from here in the UK I had a wait time predicted of 62 minutes so gave up. On another occasion they sent me to 'their office in Las Vegas' which turned out to have been closed 5 years ago!

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