W-8 tax form for international creators: what you need to know

If you’re a non-U.S. individual or entity receiving payments from Raptive, you’ll generally need to submit a W-8 tax form before we can pay you. This documents your non-U.S. tax status and helps determine any applicable U.S. tax withholding.

The form you need depends on your tax status, not simply where you live. For example, U.S. citizens living outside the United States generally complete a W-9 instead.

Which W-8 form should I choose?

The two most common W-8 forms for creators are:

• W-8BEN: Generally used by non-U.S. individuals, including sole proprietors.
• W-8BEN-E: Generally used by non-U.S. entities, such as corporations.

Some ownership structures or tax circumstances require a different form. If you’re unsure which form applies, check with your tax advisor.

We can help you find the form in your payment profile, but we can’t choose a form or tax classification for you.

What is FATCA status?

FATCA stands for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

If you’re completing a W-8BEN-E, you may be asked to select a FATCA status. This section mainly applies to foreign financial institutions (FFIs) that receive U.S. payments on behalf of other people or companies.

If you’re unsure which classification applies to your business, consult your tax advisor before submitting the form.

What if my country doesn’t have a tax treaty with the U.S.?

You’ll still need to provide the appropriate tax form to document your non-U.S. status.

A tax treaty may allow eligible taxpayers to claim reduced U.S. withholding or an exemption, but living in a treaty country doesn’t automatically establish eligibility.

You can review the IRS tax treaty information and ask your tax advisor which provisions, if any, apply to you.

During the payment-profile setup, you may also be prompted to complete a Certificate of No U.S. Activities. If prompted, review the certification carefully and complete it only if the statements accurately describe your circumstances.

How often do I need to update my W-8 form?

W-8BEN and W-8BEN-E forms only remain valid from the date you sign through December 31 of the third calendar year after signing.

For example, a form signed on July 31, 2023, generally expires on December 31, 2026.

Tipalti, our payment partner, will email you reminders before your form expires.

If your circumstances change and information on your form becomes incorrect, you may need to submit a new form sooner. Check with your tax advisor about any changes affecting your tax status or treaty eligibility.

Do I need to submit a new form if my information hasn’t changed?

Yes. Even if all your information is still correct, you’ll need to complete and submit a new W-8 form before your current one expires. Simply reviewing your existing form doesn’t renew it.

Follow the steps below to submit your new form. If your current form expires before you renew it, we won’t be able to process further payments until you submit a new one.

How do I update my W-8 form?

You can submit a new form through your Raptive dashboard:

1. Go to Payments > Payment Info.
2. Select Next until you reach Page 3: Tax Forms.
3. Select the “To submit a new tax form, click here” link.
4. Complete and submit your form, then continue until you reach Page 4: Done.

Submit your new form before the expiration date in your reminder to help avoid payment interruptions.

If your form has already expired and you’re waiting for a payment, contact Support after submitting your new form so we can check its status and confirm the next steps.

Here's a screenshot of the link you'll select in your dashboard under Payments > Payment Info > Tax Forms:

Does Raptive have a VAT number?

Raptive is a U.S.-based business. We don’t have a VAT number and don’t collect or remit VAT on creator payments.

If your local accountant needs our business address, you can use:

Raptive
1411 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, NY 10018 USA

For questions about your own VAT registration or reporting requirements, please check with your local accountant or tax advisor.

Need help?

If you have questions about which form to use or how to fill it out, we recommend checking with your tax advisor. You can also review the IRS instructions for Form W-8BEN and Form W-8BEN-E.

You can send us a message if you’re unsure where to find the form in your dashboard.