W8-BEN Tax form - No response from Zazzle

[colorblends]

This matter has seriously started taking a tool at my mental health.

I submitted my form in January and after posting here at the forum to seek help got a response. As usual it needed correction. I sent it after the suggested correction of my address which supposedly didn't match my form. This was awkwardly surprising since I had made sure that they matched after reading other Zazzlers's comments & suggestions. (it was a literal copy-paste from my profile to the form). Anyway, I have not heard since then after repeatedly sending inquiries to the support team. My payment page still shows the attached error message that "tax form has not yet been collected". 

It is extremely disappointing that the support team offers no support and doesn't reply to inquiries. I am from Pakistan and I have filled out the form after consulting with my fellow international Zazzlers who were kind enough to share their accepted forms. Yet I am getting rejections and zero support after that. I am sad to mention that if Zazzle is not interested in creators not joining the site, they might as well not register their Designer account instead of holding onto their hard-earned money for no reason. I didn't spend day and nights to earn more than $1.5k and then literally beg for it to be released. Extremely disappointing and highly stressful. I hope someone can suggest me a way out of this stress. 

[Harmony]

i'm having a similar issue. submitted well in advance of the january deadline, didn't get paid in february and no meaningful response has been received. No notification of any issues either

[colorblends]

Very unfortunate. I am not sure what do they get by not responding to the queries. 

[Fiona]

Sorry this is still ongoing. I've emailed the W8 team directly about this now.

Thank you for your patience and sorry to keep you waiting.

[colorblends]

@Fiona what should I expect and when? I am still waiting to hear from Zazzle. My payment settings page still shows " No Tax form collected". Please respond since its urgent.

[Sam_fashion_des]

I had submitted  my form on 5th April which is revised thrice, goat time time I was getting reply in in within 2 days.But after 5th April I didn't got any email from zazzle whether it is approved  or not,please help to find about my form

[Spark]

the same situation😕Have you solved this problem?

[mmbny]

I am a Platinum Proseller and have a similar issue ongoing since January (since my W8 expired).

I, too, received the answer that my address does not match the profile info (even though this has never been an issue with my previously submitted forms). This problem seemed to get resolved, however, since I receive almost exclusively affiliate commissions and few royalties, I claimed both Article numbers on the same form, which appears not to be acceptable. The last communication I received from the Zazzle regarding this matter was on Feb. 14. On that same day, I sent two separate W8 forms, as the IRS instructions state:

"If you receive more than one type of income from a single withholding agent for which you claim different benefits, the withholding agent may, at its option, require you to submit a Form W-8BEN for each different type of income."

I sent another email on the 26th and am still waiting for my latest W8 revision to be processed.

[chuamishael]

I heard they got newbies working on the @w8 department, and we suspect they don't know what they're doing, or they mess up somewhere. One of them even give me wrong info just like yours, and was told by another team and apologize.  currently no one is replying, it's either they are too busy, or they're all dead... someone should knock on their door, maybe the managers should take a look? 

[mmbny]

Unfortunately, Zazzle's handling of the W8/tax info collection has always been somewhat clunky and frustrating. I had hoped they would have automated this process by now, at least to some degree. I'm signed up on other networks and all others are quite straightforward with that matter. My Amazon Associates (affiliate commissions) W8 info expired in January, too, and it took me a couple of minutes to log in and submit the tax interview (no tax treaty info required). The Amazon KDP program (royalties) may ask a couple more questions, but is also a breeze to complete. At ShareASale I think you just hit a button to certify you are not a US person or conduct a business there from a fixed base. I don't know why this is a months long struggle at Zazzle.

I suspect the mismatched address might have been an encoding issue (since my address contains a diaeresis), or possibly a misunderstanding, because I placed the ZIP code where appropriate for my country (as instructed by the form itself), i.e. 12345 CityName.

The lack of communication from Zazzle's side is quite bothersome.

* Jan. 10 I received a notification that my form had expired, and submitted my updated form on the same day
* Feb. 09 I received an email that a revision is required, and submitted my updated form on the same day
* Feb. 14 I received an email that a further revision is required, and submitted my updated form(s) on the same day

Since then I haven't heard back from them.

[mmbny]

My form appears to be accepted, as I now have a pending payment in my Earnings History. Thank you to everybody who helped get this issue resolved, I really appreciate it.

[chuamishael]

Nice to hear that, I have no response yet....

[mmbny]

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope your payments will be released soon, too. I know how frustrating this can be, especially when there is no response.

[nina8719]

Please Help needed here too! I have the same problem here that colorblends reported above. I received the e-mail that all the info is correct on February 6th. But nothing happened after that.

Can someone please give an update on when the finalizing of the process is expected? Thanks in advance!

[sanainvi]

have your issue been resolved now?

[nina8719]

Unfortunately no 

[sanainvi]

ohhh!!! so sad to hear this . Issue should have been resolved by now , it's been a long time.

[Jesshartist]

Hi everyone. I'm a creator from France and never has problems with the W8 form since last year.

I've been ask to produce a new one again and again for 10 months. They kept 30% of my sales for a year.

My situation is so stressful as my bank account is in debt and I cant even pay my electricity bill.

I know my W8 form is good and they don't even reply anymore.

I already pay my taxes in france. The treaty between our 2 countries says that I must have 0% kept as I already pay 12% in my country.

Zazzle owe me 30% of all my sales of 2023. It's to much.. I just cant take it anymore.

[mmbny]

I am so sorry to hear of your issues. Did they tell you what was wrong with your form? Since the damage is already done in your case, you should - from my understanding - quickly file a US tax return to reclaim some or all of your money. Unfortunately, this may be more difficult than it sounds:

https://expattaxprofessionals.com/blog/article/nonresident-aliens-refunds-withheld-tax
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxation-of-nonresident-aliens

I think you should definitely give this a try, though, especially if you are missing more than a negligible amount of money.

[Jesshartist]

Thanks. I've already checked some articles online to change what was wrong with my form. And I know it's all good.

They just always make an excuse and takes a month to answer then just say I must send a new one.

Then it's all good they say they transfer it to the right person (I use the W8 email address) and then again, they need a new one.

I won't give up. It's enough money to make me lose my sleep. I can't buy groceries and I need my money.

[colorblends]

@Jesshartist I am really sorry to hear this. My form is accepted and unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to update my post to inform everyone. I would suggest using Zazzle Live chat to inform them of your situation and they will connect you with someone considerate. Please make sure you convey your concerns and issues to the core to your chat representative. All the best to everyone. I hope your issue gets resolved soon. 

[chuamishael]

Nice, to hear that, I also contacted zazzle live chat, but they told me to wait, they said, they are handling a huge number of forms right now, including complains. because they have very limited number of people handling this matter.

[Fiorenzo]

Just wanted to reply that regarding the form, no news from Zazzle equals good news. If something is wrong, they reply, if you resubmit and get no answer, this means usually that the form got accepted.

[Jesshartist]

Hello, unfortunately I have been waited for weeks already several times before they replied something was wrong... again...  and then you send a new form, a similar one. They replied weeks after saying it's all good and that their transfer it. Then weeks after you receive an email saying you must send a new one.

They don't realise it's your job and that you need to eat!

[Fiorenzo]

I understand your trouble, and Zazzle has always been a pain regarding the forms. Keep in mind that you have to send a new form all 3 years, and make sure you are using the newest form provided by the IRS.

Note that the newest W-8BEN comes now with line 6 (holding your national tax ID) split in 6a and 6b. Fill in your national tax ID or social number in 6a and leave the box in 6b unchecked. If you don't have such a number in your country, leave 6a blank and check the box in 6b (note: your country must figure in the IRS exemption list). I have created a dedicated topic with tips and links. Check it out, it may be helpful, especially the parts that lead to rejections:

https://community.zazzle.com/t5/share-your-tips-tricks/w-8ben-links-to-irs-documents-and-tips-for-fo... 

If Zazzle's last email told you that you have to resubmit the form, they're waiting for it. Make a screenshot of your form and post it here and I'll have a look if all is correct. Cancel or blacken out your private info for privacy, this forum is public. Greetings from Italy.

[Jesshartist]

Thanks a lot. This is tje latest form I've sent.

[Fiorenzo]

Was a good idea to request and send the screenshot... The used form is correct but the article and paragraph are wrong and you need better wording in Part II. These may be the reasons you're having issues. Here we go:

Part II / 10: The Article and Paragraph is 12(3), not 12(2). I quote the IRS passage:

2. Such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise and according
to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner is a resident of the other Contracting State,
the tax so charged shall not exceed 5 percent of the gross amount of the royalties.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2, royalties described in subparagraph (a) of
paragraph 4 that arise in a Contracting State and are beneficially owned by a resident of the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in that other State.
4. The term "royalties" means:
(a) payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of; or the right to
use, any copyright of literary, artistic, or scientific work or any neighboring right
(including reproduction rights and performing rights), any cinematographic film, any
sound or picture recording, or any software;

Part II / 10: Type of Income and Additional Conditions - adjust your text to (or somewhat like):

1. Type of Income: "Royalties for the use of artistic work" or similar
2. Additional Conditions: This part is where most struggle and that causes most rejections. Write something like "Creation of artistic works (designs) sold on Zazzle online web stores on a range of goods." (worked for me).

This should do the trick. Adjust, send back, and wait. If you don't get further modification requests, you should be good. If they still complain about some wording, check out other texting suggestions from other designers in my other thread. Give Zazzle time to handle this. As far as I know, you will get the withhold 30% paid off as soon as they have a correct form. Good luck!

[Jesshartist]

Thank you. I've tried the 2 different articles... my forms were rejected. 

I still didn't have an answer for the last one I've submitted, the one I've posted here. So... do you think I should wait, in case it's accepted or do you think I should send one filled as you said right away?

Thanks a lot for taking some time to help me.

It's not easy to do when it's not your language... it's difficult to understand when they say you should rephrase... etc...  we just don't know the laws and phrasing etc... it takes hours of investigation online.

[Fiorenzo]

The article and paragraph in the posted form are wrong. 12(2) has a withholding rate of 5%, so, even if the form will be accepted, according to the paragraph you'll risk a deduction of 5%. The texts aren't ideal, either.

Don't wait. Fill out and send a new one with my data and texts and write in the email that you are sending a corrected form that replaces the old ones you've sent before. After you've sent it, you may reply to this post and tag James, so she knows and may help avoid further hiccups. Good luck!

[chuamishael]

Hi there, How long does it took them to approve your W8 form? about 1 month? or 2 months? 

[Zainab_Baloch]

Hi @colorblends,

I’m glad your form got accepted. Can you please guide me through the process of submitting the W8-BEN form? Or just send me a sample of your form hiding your personal information. As I’m from Pakistan as well and I’m going to withdraw my first payment from Zazzle. I would really appreciate your help.

[James]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your patience while waiting for a W8 review. We are behind on these right now but have made catching up a priority and we appreciate you are eager to get your account in order and receive payment. Thanks. 

[Jesshartist]

You know we all understand about the delay. But when it's almost a year and each month you're more and more in debt and cant buy food and now that it's do dramatical pay your electricity bill it's not understandable anymore. It's an emergency. I pay my taxes each month in France at the URSSAF and I'm declared and I just can't do anything anymore .

I just can't take anymore. Really. My situation is that bad. 15€ per week for food! That's all I have.

Please help me.

[chuamishael]

Zazzle should automate this process in the future just like other online sites, it will be beneficial for everybody, because W8ben forms do not need to be submitted to IRS. this is just personal records of the company and every 3 years we need to submit this. it just make sense to automate this process. 

[Jesshartist]

James,

Ive just sent my new W8 form corrected with the help of Fiorenzo. Can you help then the wait of 11 months is over and I can get my money missing from all 2023 please?  Thanks a lot everyone.  I'll let you know when something happens.

[Alisha_Aycha]

hello @James @Fiona 

can you please check for me please. my payment not showing At Payments History as pending stat yet

it's been 8 months without getting paid, long time of wating.

and ty

[Jesshartist]

It's been a year and now my W8 ben was accepted for about 2 or 3 months but I keep asking for all money they kept in 2023. They even sent a letter with an app amount of money written...  and I keep crying for my money and my bank account is blocked and I just can't eat. Thank you Zazzle.

[chuamishael]

Don't you use paypal?

[Jesshartist]

I do. Why?

[chuamishael]

because you mention about your bank was blocked. but your W8ben was accepted already right? so that means they will send you the money every 15 or 16 thru your paypal