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Hello all. There are times when this whole indie publishing game drives me crazy! There’s so much to think about, contend with, organise, work out. I mean this industry never stops. It changes as quickly at technology, which means learning the tricks of this fluid trade to any useful level, seems almost impossible. How to format, where to publish, what price to set, where in the world to sell, to print or not to print, blah, blah, blah. And then there are things like tax – *Groan.* So, I though we all needed a place to rant, moan, bitch about our indie issues, from writing, accessing services, to publishing and negotiating the perilous landscape therein.
So, send me your rants, and twice a month (according to how many rants I receive) I will allow you a spell on my soap box, to rant away! I want one thing from your rant however, lead us to the best research you found on the net, about the subject you had (or have) issue with. Could be finding a great editor, and the pains beforehand. Could be issues with formatting and how you solved the issues. Whatever it is, bring it here and let us learn from (and giggle at) your misfortune. We can giggle quietly, you won’t even hear it 
Email me your rant – shahwharton at gmail dot com or use the contact form on the appropriate page above.
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Which brings me to my rant.
TAX issues for the non-US self-publisher
I researched the many avenues regarding who I needed to pay tax to, if I ever earned enough, and found the sea of useless misleading IRS at the end of the yellow brick road. You see, I am presently living in Dubai, but I’m British. I don’t need to pay tax in Dubai, although whether I end up selling any books here is anyones guess. I don’t live in UK, but there’s no tax issue pending there. Although I’m wondering whether I need to set up a self-employed? I doubt it just yet, but I will look into that in the future, if (no, when!) I earn enough.
The problems arise when, as you all know, the main source of income (this may change, like everything else) comes from the US. They charge 30% tax form earnings if you don’t register a tax code. So, I need a tax code! IF only I could just go online and get one. Scan or fax my passport details, file in a simple form, and bish-bosh – Tax code issue resolved! But not a chance.
I’m in a more difficult position than most non-US self-publishers; do I apply as a British citizen who lives in UK (where they have an agreement not to withhold 30% of my earnings) or as a British citizen who resides in Dubai (for which I can find NO information)?
For anyone who resides in Europe, I think you’ll find the following links perfectly suitable. For me… Bleh!
What are your thoughts, dear readers and fellow indies?
Some fabulous resources for people in less awkward positions:
The Easy Way To Get Your US Tax Back – Catherine Ryan Howard
Non-US Tax Self-Publisher? Tax issues don’t need to be taxing.
Would you lie to have a rant? Did you have an issue you have resolved? Would you like to make an appeal for help, or tell us where you got help? Whatever you need the soap box for, email me for a chance to climb on and rant!
About Shah Wharton
Hey Shah, Girl, I am with you on this one. I am Canadian and living in Canada, but the IRS still steals 30% of my income. To get the tax code copies of my passport aren’t good enough, the IRS wants the actual passport to be sent in. I did that and they still denied me. I have no idea why and I have no idea what to do next. I approached a tax lawyer, but as soon as I mentioned the American IRS he wanted nothing to do with it. The Canadian government is no help either.
I’m just looking at the 30% as the bribe I have to pay American officials for the privilege of doing business there.
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Shah,
I know another author that lives in Dubai who is an American I believe but at the moment I can’t remember her name. Put out a call for foreign authors living in Dubai on Facebook. I know she’s on that account. She’ll see it. I’ll make sure to repost it so it’s on my timeline. She might be able to help.
Heather
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I’m not yet in your position, Shah, but I can only imagine… Just trying to figure out how to pay my taxes as an independent contractor (which I had to do for a time at one job) was a hassle and a half). However, I do have to wonder why they denied you, Prudence. (Doesn’t anyone in Washington, D.C. remember that the only successful invasion of the US by a foreign government was made by Canada?