BlackBerry Tax Form Information

A couple of weeks ago I posted about being confused about Tax Form requirements for App World. I had emailed customersupport@blackberrycommerce.rim.com. They sent a quick reply the same day saying they'd look into it, and ten days later I got my answer. Here's what I've learned -- I'm posting it here in the hopes of helping others like me that are confused.

As a Canadian selling into the US, it only potentially makes sense getting a US tax identification number if your apps involve subscription fees to your customers. If your apps are a one-time cost to your customer, then "the vendor would not be subject to withholding". My interpretation of this is that the US withholding tax referred to by RIM only applies to subscription revenue, so for the vast majority of devs, there is no US tax subtracted from sales, and there is no need to send forms to the IRS to get a US tax identification number. (and thus, no need to get anything notarized)

This simplies the process to simply filling out the W-8BEN form, scanning it, and uploading it to RIM via the Vendor Portal.

Also to note is that the "foreign tax identification number" (field 7) on the form refers to the SIN (social insurance number) for Canadians.

Hope that helps. I've recommended to RIM that they should clarify their requirements to devs with information such as the above so that it's not a big mystery for everyone.