Knowledge Base/Payments & Taxes
I am not from the U.S.--What tax form should I fill out?
hannah
posted this on July 29, 2011 04:36 pm
Why do I have to submit tax information?
The U.S. Government requires VigLink to collect tax information on any earnings paid to customers. This is because monies paid to VigLink customers are considered commissions under U.S. law.
Am I required to provide my tax information?
Yes, the U.S. Government requires that VigLink collect the appropriate tax information. After logging into your account, you can select the appropriate form on the tax information page. We will withhold your earnings until you submit the required tax form.
What form do I fill out?
If you're a U.S. resident alien, U.S. partnership, U.S. corporation:
You need to fill out the W-9 form. You do this by going to the tax information page and following the instructions.
If you're NOT a U.S. resident alien, U.S. partnership, U.S. corporation:
There are four different options depending on your tax situation: W-8BEN, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, or W-8IMY. The U.S. IRS provides information to help you choose which form is appropriate. You can find these instructions at the top of the W-8BEN form; we have replicated them here for your convenience only. Please keep in mind that VigLink is not authorized to give tax advice -- if you have any questions please refer to the official U.S. IRS instructions at the top of the W-8BEN form.
You should use the W-8BEN if: you are a foreign persons (including corporations) to certify your non-American status and you are claiming treaty benefits or are providing the form only to claim they are a foreign person exempt from backup withholding. For more information see: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8ben.pdf
You should use the W-8ECI if: you are a person claiming that income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. For more information see: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8eci.pdf
You should use the W-8ECI or W-8IM if: you are a foreign partnership, a foreign simple trust, or a foreign grantor trust (see instructions for exceptions). For more information see here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8imy.pdf
You should use the W-8ECI or W-8EX: A foreign government, international organization, foreign central bank of issue, foreign tax-exempt organization, foreign private foundation, or government of a U.S. possession that received effectively connected income or that is claiming the applicability of section(s) 115(2), 501(c), 892, 895, or 1443(b) (see instructions). For more information see: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8exp.pdf