US Tax ID Number?

Bas · 01-30-2012, 12:31 PM

I'm progressing onto submitting an epub book to Apple iBookStore and wondered if anyone knows if getting a US tax ID number will mean filling in reams of US tax forms at the end of the tax year. Or if it just means they take off a sales tax for each book?

Hellmark · 01-30-2012, 12:40 PM

If you have a Tax ID number, you'll need to do taxes each year. If you're going to get one just for iBooks, I really hope you sell a lot, because it might not be worth the effort.

Basically, Apple's requirement for that in iBooks, is to mostly keep it to just businesses. If every body started uploading their books, they'd run into issues like Amazon has had with self publishing (Remember the 1984 incident?).

Also, this (the Sigil forum) might not be the best place to ask this question, since it really has nothing to do with Sigil, and more general book sales. There are a few other areas on Mobileread that would be a better fit.

theducks · 01-30-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bas

I'm progressing onto submitting an epub book to Apple iBookStore and wondered if anyone knows if getting a US tax ID number will mean filling in reams of US tax forms at the end of the tax year. Or if it just means they take off a sales tax for each book?

Tax ID number is FEDERAL Income and Employer Tax .

If Apple is sending you Payment, it must be reported to the Feds (if over $600?) . Money paid to you is a business expense for Apple and is a deductible for them.

The 1040NR forms are fairly simple as you only include Income from the USA. The additional form could be Schedule C (business) or Schedule E (Royalties) depending on the arrangement.

Sales Tax is Apples duty to collect and remit, they made the Retail sale.

islandcharlie · 01-30-2012, 07:58 PM

If you are an individual, not a corporation, your tax ID is just your SS number. Its just as simple as that. Then your book sales income is just added on to whatever else you earn. Don't blow it up as too big a deal.

Bas · 01-31-2012, 06:37 AM

Many,many thanks. Sorry I forgot to mention that I live in UK so imagine that the SS issue would not apply. I appreciate that the Amazon route is best for sales but my type of book (now done 5, selling over 20,000) really needs epub and in the UK it wont be available through Amazon until Kindle Fire and later versions of Kindle come in. So Apple seems the next best route, along with sites like Booksetc.

bevdeforges · 01-31-2012, 07:10 AM

Since you aren't eligible for a US social security number, you can request something called an International Tax Identification Number. Looks just like a US social security number, except that it only functions for Federal Tax purposes.

Apple needs to report how much they pay you over a year's time so the US gummint can lay claim to any taxes due.

Here is the official word on ITIN's - what they are and how to get one: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...222209,00.html

At least to start out with, chances are you'd only wind up having to file a 1040NR (non-resident) at the end of any year where you had significant income from US sources. Or, to reclaim the 30% or so that some payers have to withhold (to make sure you file the tax return at the end of the year).

Bas · 01-31-2012, 07:42 AM

Thank you Bev

01-30-2012, 12:31 PM	#1
Bas Enthusiast Posts: 24 Karma: 464 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: none	US Tax ID Number? I'm progressing onto submitting an epub book to Apple iBookStore and wondered if anyone knows if getting a US tax ID number will mean filling in reams of US tax forms at the end of the tax year. Or if it just means they take off a sales tax for each book?

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01-30-2012, 12:40 PM	#2
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,586 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	If you have a Tax ID number, you'll need to do taxes each year. If you're going to get one just for iBooks, I really hope you sell a lot, because it might not be worth the effort. Basically, Apple's requirement for that in iBooks, is to mostly keep it to just businesses. If every body started uploading their books, they'd run into issues like Amazon has had with self publishing (Remember the 1984 incident?). Also, this (the Sigil forum) might not be the best place to ask this question, since it really has nothing to do with Sigil, and more general book sales. There are a few other areas on Mobileread that would be a better fit.

01-30-2012, 07:58 PM	#4
islandcharlie Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: iPad	If you are an individual, not a corporation, your tax ID is just your SS number. Its just as simple as that. Then your book sales income is just added on to whatever else you earn. Don't blow it up as too big a deal.

01-31-2012, 06:37 AM	#5
Bas Enthusiast Posts: 24 Karma: 464 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: none	Many,many thanks. Sorry I forgot to mention that I live in UK so imagine that the SS issue would not apply. I appreciate that the Amazon route is best for sales but my type of book (now done 5, selling over 20,000) really needs epub and in the UK it wont be available through Amazon until Kindle Fire and later versions of Kindle come in. So Apple seems the next best route, along with sites like Booksetc.

01-31-2012, 07:10 AM	#6
bevdeforges Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1094000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essonne, France Device: Kobo Forma; Sony PRS600B; Sony 350; Sony T-2	Since you aren't eligible for a US social security number, you can request something called an International Tax Identification Number. Looks just like a US social security number, except that it only functions for Federal Tax purposes. Apple needs to report how much they pay you over a year's time so the US gummint can lay claim to any taxes due. Here is the official word on ITIN's - what they are and how to get one: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...222209,00.html At least to start out with, chances are you'd only wind up having to file a 1040NR (non-resident) at the end of any year where you had significant income from US sources. Or, to reclaim the 30% or so that some payers have to withhold (to make sure you file the tax return at the end of the year).

01-31-2012, 07:42 AM	#7
Bas Enthusiast Posts: 24 Karma: 464 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: none	Thank you Bev