Getting a US Taxpayer Identification Number

[EntropiK]

This topic seems to be shrouded in mystery and confusion! Not even the MU or their accountants could give us anything approaching a coherent answer on the process. We're a composition partnership and our catalogue is now with a vast number of libraries, many of which are based in the USA. We have also been accepted by some fairly exclusive US libraries who we will not be able to do business with until we have submitted our W8BEN form, which requires us getting a Taxpayer Identification Number or TIN. It's downright puzzling that as many US libraries don't require a W8BEN as do.

Any of you UK composers out there who have completed this process, we'd really appreciate some info on the following:

1. Do we have to take our completed W-7 forms to the US Embassy in person? I've read and heard conflicting information about this: some say the form has to be notorised with the applicant present and others say you can simply post the form along with all supporting documents (including passports). I'm always nervous about sending my passport anywhere - special delivery is reliable enough but I've had the Home Office "mislay" my passport before, and I'd prefer not to have a repeat of that saga.

2. If we do have to go to the embassy in person, does it have to be in London or can we get it done at the Edinburgh Embassy? Edinburgh would definitely be our preference but the website is not at all clear as to whether they deal with tax issues there.

Any advice on completing this tedious but necessary process would be very much appreciated!

[Musicformedia]

I'm in the same boat aswell - just got accepted to Audiosocket.com and I could not be arsed going to the whole way to Dublin to get a form signed.

I'll keep you updated with what I do, not sure if I'll get a chance/could be bothered to do it or not