W8-BEN Form Inquiry

[hamzajabir]

Hi everyone, It's Been more than 50 days almost 7 weeks and I didn't get any answer regarding my w8 ben Form which is disappointing. I don't know what I should do regarding this issue And I'm wondering why my case took that long with not even one answer from the review team side. 

[AvisNoelle]

Spark, I would like to know where this person called Fiona is on this thread? No one has replied to me, and you are right it's very unpleasant, not to mention unprofessional. How long is this fiasco going to go on? I feel like it's never going to get resolved! No one seems interested? Fiona if you're here, please respond! If anyone else is moderating here, please make yourself known and let's get this thing moving!

[Spark]

Hi, I just read your message! And I have good news!! I finally received an email with a response from zazzle support! They said that my form now sent forward to be processed by finance team and they will be in touch when the form is processed and applied to my account and they also reported that finalization process can take 2-4 weeks and depending on the processing time with their finance team and the IRS. And I think they will answer you soon too!

[AvisNoelle]

Spark, I'm happy you have heard from them, but though I don't want to rain on your parade I have to tell you that one of the messages a while back I got was one that said they'd sent it to Finance, and then I heard nothing! More delaying tactics for me anyway... I hope yours turns out different.

[Spark]

Well, will see)) But I hope everything will be all right, the also said that the processing time with their finance team and the IRS can take 2-4 weeks. Or you've been waiting for more than 2-4 weeks since they sent it to Finance?

[AvisNoelle]

Spark, I was dealing with a male called Elijah, we had been back and forth, thought I'd finally nailed it, but then crickets. I got ghosted in several attempts to contact him, then as is usually the case after I sent a general 'help me' email to anyone at Zazzle, I finally got a reply Feb. 21st from Daniel who was from 'customer care' not the W8 team. He apologized and said he'd sent my form to Finance for review. Thanked him, heard nothing back (again as usual), then I got an email from Wananda from W8 review team, who told me to fix another part! Different part of course. 😡Then I did that the same day April 10th, heard nothing back. Then I hear May 23rd after re-contacting them again, from yet another person called Lily who tells me to change yet another different part of the form!! Except this part I'd already changed back in February so I sent her a copy of that form with the said part fixed just the way she asked... and guess what? Yes, I'm sure you guessed... heard nothing, nada, zero back from them. I'm being gaslit that's what it feels like. The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand is doing, and this I'm afraid is a huge part of the problem. No continuity, they pass you on to the next one and I'm ready to seek legal advice and contact the IRS because this is what the UK group I belong to did to get this solved. It took that to break this cycle, and I am ready!

[Spark]

Got it. Write if you have any news) I wish your situation would be resolved as soon as possible and you and I could withdraw money and not worry about it🙏

[sanainvi]

I submitted mine on May 28th, and they said it would take 4-5 weeks to hear back. It's been longer than that now, and I haven't heard anything or gotten my form approved.

I sent a message to their support team, but haven't gotten a response yet. It's getting frustrating!

Anyone else in the same boat?

[Lilypaperdesign]

Hi, @AvisNoelle has anything changed since then?
I see that you have met all the employees of Zazzle in this circle (online). 🙂
Could you give me a little info about UK group, how did they solve it?

[AvisNoelle]

Hi Lily, I tried to reply yesterday, and the reply button disappeared then gave an error next time I refreshed, so I replied via my email notification but I don't see that reply here at all. However these replies are so convoluted sometimes it's hard to keep track! Anyhow, I did say yesterday that the UK group was from 2015 when we had the same horrendous problem with these forms. Then all went quiet interestingly for a few years, no requests to update. I had forgotten the details of the UK thing, so just asked and their problem was the ITIN they were being asked for, so they contacted authorities in UK, France, and Canada. They got a reply from HMRS in UK telling them they didn't need the ITIN. They told Zazzle, then it was another problem .. they'd said they couldn't refund the 30% tax, but someone in the group showed them how exactly they could refund, then after that there was a problem with Line 10 that they referenced. It was endless! it went on further from there but I won't bore you with the details. No one, and I mean no one, should have to go through this. As you see I've lost Fiona, and gained Mark today! Delay some more, until next week when we begin again. Well, my patience has run out.

[Lilypaperdesign]

UK group also zazzle? Are you Canadian and do you belong there? How many months did it take for that story to be resolved?
Well, as long as the W8 form goes around, the designers won't be paid. It is very comfortable for them. I've lost some Z-support and "I gained Mark too" (just like you) on June 21.
Can you guess?
😄

[AvisNoelle]

Hi Lily... no UK group on FB. Yes I'm Canadian, are you?... yes I belong to that group, it's an International group for Zazzle creators. Don't think I want to put name here. Be creative in messaging me perhaps?
I think it took many months, but not sure how long, a long time... it always seems to be that way doesn't it? My guess is Mark will be replaced in time too? Delaying is a strategy that seems to work for them, not good for us though.

[Lilypaperdesign]

Hi Avis, I see, FB Group and many months but finally it got fixed. I think I know that.

Mark replied to you, but me not, on the same day. It's not a nice thing. So there are still enough designers working on the site, they don't need to hurry. From Europe we can only send messages. 😏

I think I have to move on from "Truman Show".🙂

Some ideas...   Let me know if it's resolved (or not).

[AvisNoelle]

Hey, just keep bumping and maybe Mark will see you!? I feel bad for us all, I really do. I posted an update, got another revision request today from Lily the last one I spoke to back in May. The FTIN again, but I've already sent that version. They've got everything but my blood type... that'll be next!

[Lilypaperdesign]

Hi, @AvisNoelle I'm glad to hear from you. 🙂
No, there is no answer.
I can't believe that the management doesn't know about this "excellent" customer service. I almost feel the urge to spread the word on social media.
Maybe you should send them 20 different versions of W8 form and then let them choose. Plus your blood type. 😄 Just kidding.

Is there a direct email address for middle managers? The head of the finance group and the W8 team? Or Any chief? We need to write to them directly. If necessary, more than once.
Maybe they don't know that we have not received payment for months (plus W8 mess).
I love Zazzle, but I'm so disappointed in the way they treat us.

[AvisNoelle]

Well I don't know about 20, but in the last 7 months they must've had at least 7 or 8! No there's not much in the way of emails to contact people, but funny you say that because I emailed the CEO on Friday, told him how it is here. Today I get this email from Lily who I last heard from in May. Coincidence? I don't believe in those. Still it's not much improvement, considering the content. CEO the Senior not his son. You can find it online.

[Lilypaperdesign]

Coincidence. Of course.
Well, we only have to send 1-2 emails to the CEO and they will solve it. I also sent an email.
I will be persistent.
Let me know if anything has happened! 🙂

[AvisNoelle]

Hi again, @Lilypaperdesign well something happened, I actually got a reply from Lily THE VERY NEXT DAY (so that's unusual) to say that the form I re-sent from back in February was mostly right but now I have to change Part 2 section 10 to say Paragraph 3 not Paragraph 3a as I had been writing for quite a while and no one else ever mentioned it as a problem. She said the pesky "a" is not necessary. However, okay I began from scratch determined this time to do this one last thing (let's hope), even though I said I wouldn't waste time making a new form! I am feeling a tad more confident as Lily appears to be being consistent. Please bow your heads in prayer... it is sent. 🙏😉

[Lilypaperdesign]

Woow, good news, finally someone who takes action. 🙂
Of course, the email was required. 🙂
Nothing has happened here yet, I will send an email again tomorrow.

[AvisNoelle]

Morning Lily! UPDATE! Today I got an email back right away from Lily who says in the form type email that it's gone to Finance for processing as all looks okay.
The usual 2-4 weeks wait now to see if it's approved. I have asked if they've taken off any 30% tax since January and if they plan on refunding it? I have my earnings on hold the last couple of months but there were payments before that. I also thanked her for her consistency in replying as that's all I asked for, a feeling of one person who knows my story and gets back to me quickly. This was one of the points I made in my 'no holds barred' letter to the CEO. I was irritated when I wrote it, so covered a lot. Including fact that it took me many years to reach Silver, nickle and diming my way, as I could only count US earnings! Pointing out that he can count ALL money in his earnings. Yes I got a lot off my chest! Therapy! 😉
So I hope you hear back soon from them, how's it going on your end? Did you send another email?
The funny thing too is that I saw the moon had moved into Virgo 2 days ago, and I was thinking that's good ... attention to details! It's also my anniversary of emigrating from UK to Canada so auspicious indeed! Keep in touch, fingers crossed for both of us. 🤞

[Lilypaperdesign]

Hi @AvisNoelle, Finally, it's really great news! I hope it only takes 1-2 weeks. It's a long time for you since January. Unfortunately, there is a 30% withholding tax. All in all, quite a lot. Well, it doesn't hurt if the management/CEO receives feedback. I tried to stick to the facts in both letters, because I tend to be very cynical when I'm frustrated. 😄
Your Therapy! Unexpected therapy. 🙂 Yes, 25% amount approx. which was not included, to silver or gold.
Yes, I sent second letter today morning. Then it must be a coincidence, 2 emails from the finance team and any support team in the afternoon, no name signature. Both message: "Payment for this month will be processed on the 15th". I'm trying to believe them. It will be revealed on Monday.
So funny, "the moon had moved into Virgo" ... attention to details! That is a Hope for you and me. After a lot of frustration, I want to be creative again to create pretty designs. Did you emigrate from UK to Canada? It's very exciting, you were brave, I think with your family. (Sorry, my English is not so good. ) Yes, keep in touch, fingers crossed for both of us. 🤞

[AvisNoelle]

Yay!! Happy you got some action! I hope it's 1-2 weeks too after all this waiting. I think once approved I will take a copy and frame it and put it on the wall! 😁 Yes I emigrated a month after getting married at age 18.. youthful stupidity! Came here with me and my husband. It didn't last btw. A big adventure, and I remembered recently when we had the total eclipse of the sun, that on our flight over here it was also a total eclipse and we saw it from the air! They handed out pieces of exposed film (the old time cameras) to look at it through... nowadays they'd say that'd make you go blind haha! The pilot was so nice he went around one direction for one side of the plane to see, and then the other way for the other side... you'd never get them doing that these days. I miss lots from that time. Now the world is crazy and upside down. Anyway praying you get paid and I get approved. So your W8 form is approved now? The 30% they can refund, in fact they'll have to. Are you in France? Anyway, we will surmount this, and only another 2.5 years until the next go around! 🙄

[sanainvi]

Can you explain how things worked for you please .. I am facing same issue here . submitted mine on May 28th, and they said it would take 4-5 weeks to hear back. It's been longer than that now, and I haven't heard anything or gotten my form approved.

[AvisNoelle]

@sanainviHello, I only sent this one today so obviously haven't heard back yet. But you must realize I have been sending forms back and forth for 7 months! So 4-5 weeks is early in the process for them! Some here have been waiting much, much longer. It's very frustrating I know. Keep bumping your post in this forum and ask for a moderator to help here, that's what we've had to do if you scroll through all the posts in this thread and others on the same topic. Keep emailing often until someone replies. I'm sorry for all of us in this situation.

[sanainvi]

Thankyou so much for your response. Yeah i know 4 to 5 weeks is early, but i wanted to know should i resubmit my form or wait for this response?

[AvisNoelle]

Hi... I would send another email to them for an update if you've waited weeks and heard nothing. The squeaky wheel gets the oil as they say. I've been persistent, and now my form has gone to Finance they say, but I heard this once before and they found fault with it, so I can't celebrate as yet. Now I've started the form from scratch, and it helped that they told me specifically what to remove this time instead of guessing and hoping and going through ghosting when trying to get an answer. Don't give up, fingers crossed for you! 🤞

[sanainvi]

Thankyou so much .I really hope things work for you as well 🤗

[Spark]

Good morning AvisNoelle! How are you doing? I received a good news from zazzle team and I'm in a hurry to share it with you! Yesterday my submitted W-8 form has been processed and my payment settings have been updated !!! Everything is worked out!!!

[AvisNoelle]

I'm good how are you? Glad you got good news, and so what you're saying is they've approved your W8 form officially? Can I ask which country are you in? I'm in Canada. I have heard nothing since Fiona said she'd get them to contact me. Now today it's a US holiday, and then there's a weekend, so not sure if I'll hear something next week? It's becoming tedious this ongoing waiting struggle. I see there's a couple of new posts about the form and lack of communication in last couple of days. This is really unacceptable, I think they're out of their depth. What they need is a tax person on staff to deal with this if they can't! Glad for you though! 😉

[Mark]

Hey @AvisNoelle,

I apologize again for the delay here. I have followed up with the team and will try to get an answer as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience.

[SH1]

Hello Mark,

I also have been waiting for W8 to be approved. I submitted the modified form after getting a modification request. But have not heard back anything yet. Can you please help?

[Mark]

Hey @SH1,

I have advised the team that you are waiting for a response. They will follow up as soon as possible.

[AvisNoelle]

Hello Mark,

What happened to Fiona?? She told me she was following up with the team too?? I think that was June 26th, no one has contacted me at all! This seems to be a very common comment from you guys and we need patience all right, the patience of Job himself to get through this! I will not be put off with these delaying tactics any longer. I have been responding to Zazzle about this form since January 11th 2024, I had a similar experience back in 2015, I think there's something wrong with this whole picture. This is the perfect example of what I said was wrong, you keep chopping and changing people, no consistent follow through. It's done I think to delay, and to keep us all confused. Because this is the result, we are all in the dark and confused, and that's no professional at all from your people! We are told you're handling it, but that's as far as it goes. You are giving me no option but to explore different avenues.

[AvisNoelle]

Hey Spark,  I guess you didn't see my reply here asking if your form was actually approved? You've probably moved away from here as you have had resolution? Hope that's the case. I posted in the other thread an update as today I have heard suddenly from Lily who I spoke to in May, but she is again asking me for a revision! The FTIN which was asked and answered back in February! Sent her the copy, hope this solves it for them. Sad this continues to happen. 😒

[Spark]

Update: I received a reply from zazzle support

[AvisNoelle]

Good! You know I posted in the other thread you're in right? Addressing Fiona.... I have heard zero from anyone. Fed up.

[Spark]

Yes, I saw your message for Fiona just now) I understand you, but don't worry, maybe Fiona hasn't seen your message yet.

[AvisNoelle]

Bumping this again as have heard nothing!

[AvisNoelle]

Bump!

[Favdesign]

In my opinion don't fill up the tax treaty information / tax reduction information, just leave it blank, re - upload your problem will be solved 

[AvisNoelle]

Hello Favdesign,
I'm curious how you came to this opinion, because I see you asked for help December last year, and Padraig answered you, and said he'd email you. So is this what he told you? Did you get your problem resolved by doing this? Has your W8 form been approved now? Because Zazzle have told me, and other zazzle creators too, that amongst many other things they filled in their country's tax reduction/tax treaty information. The problem is that they keep changing what they say is incorrect, seems like once a month!