US vs Europe.
Hey my sweet readers, how ya'll feeling today? :) <3
I might need to ask you guys for an advice on my small issue of living in Europe. :p
Denied by the USA.
Since my preference is to make sure the online biz runs smoothly and legally, I have learned that you need an ITIN number so the commissions can be paid to you.
Shortly after the research, I've sent an application to the USA and requested my ITIN.
It took them over 4 weeks to reply, and their reply was: "We have denied your application, please send us your real passport instead of a copy".
There's no way I'm sending my real documents to America, so I officially cannot earn any revenue from my website (unless the person, who buys the items, is also from Europe).
PLAN B! ...PLAN Z!
My only plan B at the moment is to make my site fully Europe-centered instead of global.
I'm not really sure how to do it properly, it got me off track and I haven't worked on my site for the whole month since that reply from the USA...
...(in the same month I got fired from my job - it went bankrupt, with no more income - I had to cancel an important surgery, and I'm barely holding the roof above my head, so it's like - all at once).
I've searched WA blogs, for people from Europe, for mentors, and I must say, there's not many, and they never reply (nor they get along very well haha).
Stucky Stuck :O
I, honestly have no clue what to do now, feeling a bit lost.
I'll keep doing research and see how can I make this all work.
Worst case scenario, I'll have to leave WA (since it's obviously US centered, for the biggest part) and join an European affiliate community...but I think it can still work via WA... just don't know how yet. :p
Whew, thanks for reading my rumbling guys haha, I'll try to post more when I can - gotta find a real job asap for now!
Not giving up yet!
Big hugs! I appreciate you!
Angie. =^.^=
Recent Comments
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Look beyond Europe and the USA, Angie. There must surely be plenty of affiliate programmes originating in the Anglosphere - Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc, as well as Asia.
Have you enquired if you can get your ITIN number via your local US Embassy or Consulate?
Rich
Angie, the commission can be paid anywhere depend on which affiliate, drop ship or whatever you have. Some are ruled only for the US and some are ruled only for Europe. The tax you pay in Europe for money earned in your country of resident. Are you American then you have you need one if you are not American Passport holder you declare tax in your country?
Who needs an ITIN?
IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty needs an ITIN.
Other examples of individuals who need ITINs include:
• A nonresident alien required to file a U.S. tax return
• A U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return
• A dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien
• A dependent or spouse of a nonresident alien visa holder
yes, I have read this info before. I am not an American. And the tax in my country is already set properly for my online biz and real life job, so that is all settled.
When it comes to amazon, shareasale and other affiliate sites, they demand itin even if I'm not an American and do not live in the US (no relation to the US in any way), saying that I will not get any commissions without itin.
It's just very confusing. But thanks for your reply :)
Angie, I am sure there is a mistake when you set it up as normally you do not need this, I was an Amazon member for nearly 4 years and never needed an ITIN .I got paid by check. Other sites I get paid through Pay Pal or Stripe.
Serious? Then it's all good, has been good from the start. I'll just join different affiliate programs then. thank you so much, I'm relieved.
Yes just stay away from the programs that may require the ITIN is my advice...There are many where this is not needed. I have a SSN, but do know it can be hard to work with the government(s) out there...
Also in our case (we operate out of DE and TH), many of the companies we are working with wanted to have a registered company with tax -id etc. before they would proceed.
As you know that can get complicated and involve a lot of headache and money...Depending on the country, rules are wildly different. Thailand is MUCH looser than Germany in this regard...
Best of luck!
Dave : )
Well I live in Lithuania but my business is in my laptop which can go anywhere and I consider the world as my audience. I am doing this purely as a hobby but have earned about 7500 Euros so far but if it starts to get serious only then would I consider registering but then again registering for what I really do not know.
Paul
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There must be something in the ether today Angie. I just came from another great lady named Ange who is leaving WA due to financial reasons.
Beg borrow or steal but please don't go. I love your foxy kitty demeanor and interesting posts.
You might see if you can find a trusted courier to bring the documents to the US for verification!
bwahaha, i'm not going ^^ just gonna try plan B's, C's D's to make it work XD