As some of you may be aware, I've begun the roller coaster journey of hair pulling, patience testing, scarier than hanging your cotton undies on a clothes line in the middle of a very public caravan park process of self- publishing.
Some like to think of us and Indie Authors, others . . . as certifiably insane.
Me? I tend to sway both ways. Especially where the IRS are involved. Now just to clarify here: Everyone I have spoken to directly regarding the very taxing issue of Tax, have been great. Fantastic. In need of an extended lunch break this Friday for oozing so much awesomeness.
The confusion, for me, came when I learned that we need to fill out a form or two for tax exemption. And acronyms like TIN, ITIN, 8W-BEN, W8-BEN and EIN started being thrown around so freely that I began to subtly slide off my chair, hoping my laptop wouldn't notice my mysterious disappearance - opting to hide under the desk for a change instead of rocking in the fetal position in a dark corner.
I mean, gosh, I only wanted to share some words with a few people.
Anyhoooo . . .
The forms are okay, easy enough to read. It's the explanation booklet that is the hard part. So, when I was able to uncross my eyeballs, I started to email around to all my co-writing buddies asking - okay - crying for help for fear that my brain might explode. After all I am only a girl trying to get a few words out on epaper. It really shouldn't be so hard.
And Low and Behold . . . . IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE!!!
Shocker.
The very cute and endearing - not to forget incredible story writer and teller - Matt Sayer shared a little old link with me . . . and introduced me to the blinding glorious-ness of catherinecaffinated. So much is she - they - I felt the need to share this nugget of the golden verity with you.
This here is the link Matt passed on that helped me to no end:
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/02/24/non-us-self-publisher-tax-issues-dont-need-to-be-taxing/
This site explains that you don't need to get an TIN or ITIN to become exempt. You can do this with an EIN, which is a much easier process. However, you do need an ABN registered as a 'Sole Trader' to use an EIN. Confused? It's okay, follow the link and all will be revealed.
*** Remember all paperwork needs to submitted to the place you wish to publish through e.g. KDP, smashwords, etc. not the IRS.
Now before you go and get all excited, it is a couple of years old and some of the deets have changed since the original posting. However if you follow the guidance of these two very wonderful people and scroll through the hundreds of comments you'll get through it.
And still have hair when you get done.
Hooraah!
You can check out Matt's books at http://loquasia.blogspot.com.au or
http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Internet-Matt-Sayer-ebook/dp/B00ICECYUA
Happy writing :)
Some like to think of us and Indie Authors, others . . . as certifiably insane.
Me? I tend to sway both ways. Especially where the IRS are involved. Now just to clarify here: Everyone I have spoken to directly regarding the very taxing issue of Tax, have been great. Fantastic. In need of an extended lunch break this Friday for oozing so much awesomeness.
The confusion, for me, came when I learned that we need to fill out a form or two for tax exemption. And acronyms like TIN, ITIN, 8W-BEN, W8-BEN and EIN started being thrown around so freely that I began to subtly slide off my chair, hoping my laptop wouldn't notice my mysterious disappearance - opting to hide under the desk for a change instead of rocking in the fetal position in a dark corner.
I mean, gosh, I only wanted to share some words with a few people.
Anyhoooo . . .
The forms are okay, easy enough to read. It's the explanation booklet that is the hard part. So, when I was able to uncross my eyeballs, I started to email around to all my co-writing buddies asking - okay - crying for help for fear that my brain might explode. After all I am only a girl trying to get a few words out on epaper. It really shouldn't be so hard.
And Low and Behold . . . . IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE!!!
Shocker.
The very cute and endearing - not to forget incredible story writer and teller - Matt Sayer shared a little old link with me . . . and introduced me to the blinding glorious-ness of catherinecaffinated. So much is she - they - I felt the need to share this nugget of the golden verity with you.
This here is the link Matt passed on that helped me to no end:
http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/02/24/non-us-self-publisher-tax-issues-dont-need-to-be-taxing/
This site explains that you don't need to get an TIN or ITIN to become exempt. You can do this with an EIN, which is a much easier process. However, you do need an ABN registered as a 'Sole Trader' to use an EIN. Confused? It's okay, follow the link and all will be revealed.
*** Remember all paperwork needs to submitted to the place you wish to publish through e.g. KDP, smashwords, etc. not the IRS.
Now before you go and get all excited, it is a couple of years old and some of the deets have changed since the original posting. However if you follow the guidance of these two very wonderful people and scroll through the hundreds of comments you'll get through it.
And still have hair when you get done.
Hooraah!
You can check out Matt's books at http://loquasia.blogspot.com.au or
http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Internet-Matt-Sayer-ebook/dp/B00ICECYUA
Happy writing :)