W8 form for Australian designer - completely confused

[twofish]

Hi all, as a new designer I'm in the process of establishing my account with Zazzle and am completely confused by the W8 form (to the point that it seems all too hard). I'm an Australian citizen and based in Australia, is someone in the same situation able to help me understand what sections of the W8 I need to complete please?

[Sara_H]

@twofish 

If you're on Facebook - search for International Zazzlers United where there are also Australian designers and helpful examples of W8 forms

Good luck!

[twofish]

Thank you, I'll join that group

[idraw]

@Sara_H 

Hi Sara, really great tip.

Before we all get overexcited,I got curious,just now  googled international zazzlers united, humph,,,it is non US only, they might want to refine the “international” part of the title.  Feeling left out, shunned, hurt, sad and, I’ll be okay, I will get over it, (Roseanne Roseannadanna) “nevermind”, just sayin……big LOL

.🤔😂✌️

And Sara, still a really great tip!. (Exclusions apply, still chuckling)

[Sara_H]

Haha. Thanks - Yes the group is for non US -sorry about that. Have a cookie 🍪

[idraw]

thanks for the cookie! Seriously tho it was super cool that you knew about the group and were able to help twofish. Knowledge is power.

[twofish]

Tried to join and explained that I'm in the process of setting up my store. Got a dm back from an admin saying reapply one store set up.  Now in the quandary of setting up the store without completing the W8 so I can join the fb group to find the answer to the w8 question 🤷‍♀️

[Sara_H]

Sorry about that. I'm not an admin over there just a member. I would start designing and getting your store set up! No time like the present. Good luck! @twofish 

[twofish]

All good, as you so no time like the present so I've gone ahead and set up the store (beats doing the housework like I should have done this morning!)

[idraw]

@twofish 
You said "got a dm back from an admin saying reapply one store set up."

I went to the z help files,<https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/222706728-W-8-Forms>skimmed them regarding the form, some suggestions:

How about setting your store to hidden or private <https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/220432247-Setting-Stores-and-Products-to-Private-Hidden> even tho you are still working on it. Logically, as long as you have your account, shop name, store banner at top, etc. and a section with a couple of products, that should count as your shop being set up.
Nowhere did I read in the articles, that you had to complete/submit/get an approved W8 form "before" you open or finish your shop. Unless it messed with my brain and I missed that part. I could be wrong about this tho, check with z.
But definitely if you don't have your form approved and are waiting on it, and you are able to sell and expect to get paid, z will hold up any payments.
Follow my thinking, you could send the FB Z admin the link to your private or hidden shop,that should satisfy them and allow you to join, let's hope.

Also the link to the tax treaty:
<https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/australia-tax-treaty-documents>
Hope this helps, even a little.
W8-Ben is a headache. US tax forms are a headache too.

[twofish]

Thank you @idraw for taking the time to look into this, I'm really grateful

[Pádraig]

Hi @twofish,

Thanks for your post. I reached out via email to assist you with the W-8BEN form.

Pádraig 🙂

[twofish]

thank you so much

[Pádraig]

You're most welcome 🙂

[waterart]

You need to fill out all the sections, the one that trips everyone up is section 2. For Australia the article and paragraph is 12(2), and a withholding rate of 5%, got the info from https://eezycontributors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040283911-What-is-the-Withholding-Rate-For...

type of royalties - Copyright royalties, additional conditions why beneficial owner meets the conditions, write something like Beneficial owner is a resident of Australia earning copyright royalties for artistic works and subject to tax under US/Australia tax treaty terms of 5% withholding rate for art related copyright royalties.

In section 1 the foreign ID number would be your Australian number you use when you file your taxes. Hope that helps, let us know how you do.

[twofish]

Thanks everyone for the time you have taken to help, what a wonderful community of creators. I've taken the plunge and set up my store with a selection of our designs