Amazon Cut 30% Witholding tax

seoz87

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Amazon just cut 30% withholding tax on one of my account even though i have mentioned in the tax form that I am a NON US person.

I resubmitted the tax form and seems like there are 2 new fields in the tax form.

If you are on amazon affiliate better check the re submit the form before they cut the 30% of your earnings.
 
Did they not advise you beforehand about any changes or did they just hold the money?
 
Did they not advise you beforehand about any changes or did they just hold the money?

I cant find any email about any such alert. I am using the account since laat 3 years & this is the first time they deducted the 30% tax. I emailed them & they told me to send them WE8 form with wet ink signed to their postal address. No photocopies or scanned.
 
You need to enter a tax ID from a country with a double tax agreement with the US OR give a TIN number in your tax submission forms if you don't want withholding tax.

For example, most European countries have a double tax agreement with the US, therefore it's usually 0% withholding tax if submitted because you're supposed to be taxed where you live.

If your country doesn't have that or you did not present that, there will be withholding tax.
 
this is the email i got after i asked them where is my money
----

Hello ,
This is ******* from Amazon Associates.

The US Internal Revenue Service requires Amazon to withhold 30% from non-US associates earning referral fees in the US unless the associate can provide a complete and accurate W-8BEN with a valid claim of treaty benefits. To fulfill this requirement, you can get the W-8BEN from the IRS and mail it to the address listed below.

Please consider the following when completing your W-8BEN:

• We can only accept an originally signed, wet ink copy of the completed form. Please do not send a photocopy.
• Per IRS W-8BEN Instructions “You must provide a U.S. TIN if you are…claiming benefits under an income tax treaty.”
• Please review the W-8BEN Instructions carefully while completing Part II of the form.
• Please do not use abbreviations.

Once you have completed your W-8BEN, please send it to:

Amazon.com
c/o Vendor Maintenance
PO Box 80683
Seattle, WA 98108-0683

Please note that none of the information in this communication is intended to be tax advisory in nature. Please consult a tax specialist for tax advice related to this and other matters.

I hope this helps. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

We'd appreciate your feedback. Please use the buttons below to vote about your experience today.

Best regards,
******
Amazon.com
 
As I wrote, there needs to be a tax treaty, so did Amazon just write you.

There is no tax treaty between Pakistan and USA so yes there will be withholding tax.

You need a TIN number to get around the withholding tax.
 
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