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

If you live outside the United States, you’ll need to submit a W-8 tax form before we can send your payments.
This form tells the IRS you’re a non-U.S. taxpayer and helps make sure you’re taxed correctly (or not at all, if your country has a tax treaty with the U.S.).

You can read more about the W-8 form on the IRS website.

Which W-8 form should I choose?

There are two types of W-8 forms:

• W-8BEN — for individual creators or sole proprietors

• W-8BEN-E — for businesses, corporations, or other entities

If you’re not sure which one applies to you, you can double-check with your tax advisor.

We can’t tell you which form or FATCA category to select.

What is FATCA status?

FATCA stands for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. This section mainly applies to foreign financial institutions (FFIs) that receive U.S. payments on behalf of other people or companies.

If you’re an individual creator or business receiving payments directly, this section usually doesn’t apply to you, just select the option that fits your situation.

If you’re unsure, it’s always safest to confirm with your tax advisor.

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

You’ll still need to complete a W-8 form to confirm your non-U.S. status.
If your country doesn’t have a tax treaty with the U.S., the system will prompt you to also sign a Certificate of No U.S. Activities before your payments can continue.

You can check whether your country has a tax treaty on the IRS tax treaty table.

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

The IRS requires international creators to renew their W-8 form every three years to stay payable.
Tipalti (our payment partner) will email you reminders when it’s time to renew.

How to update your W-8 form

You can easily update your W-8 right in your Raptive dashboard:

1. Go to Payments > Payment Info.

2. Click Next until you reach Page 3: Tax Forms.

3. Click on the To submit a new tax form, click here link

4. Fill out your form and click "Next" till you get to Page 4: Done. 

Once your form is submitted, you’re all set. Your payments will continue on schedule.

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

Do I need to register for VAT or include a VAT number?

No. Since Raptive is a U.S.-based business, we don’t have a VAT number and don’t collect or remit VAT on payments.

If your local accountant needs our business address, you can use:
Raptive
1411 Broadway, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10018 USA

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