GoFuckYourself.com - Adult Webmaster Forum - View Single Post

paffie · 06-17-2013, 05:13 AM

Hi Guys,

I already posted a thread like this in the Q and A section, but i got the tip to move it to this section in order to get an answer...

My problem: After receiving over $2000 from adult friend finder (penthouse) over the past couple of years, i was asked to fill a w8/BEN-form in order to keep receiving money from them.

I filled the form, according to the guidelines i found for google adwords. My w8/BEN was declined because i didn't fill in an ITIN-number...
Now, after reading a lot of info on w8/BEN and ITIN numbers, i'm not even sure i have to fill a w8/BEN, let alone that i should fill in an itin-number (it's even marked as "optional" on the form itself).
Next to this, i'm very reluctant to apply for an itin-number because it's expensive (i have to hire an acceptance agent or have the risk of having my application denied, i have to pay for a passport since a belgian identity card does not contain my address,...) AND, more importantly, i'm being an adult webmaster as a hobby...
I'm a married individual, i have a kid, i have a regular job,... I don't want to be identified as a porn webmaster... Not by the belgian tax authorities, not by the officials in the village,... Also, since i'm doing this as a hobby, I never registered a company or anything... This job on the side is just to have some spending money when i go to the pub with some friends and i'm afraid that registering an ITIN will put me on the tax administrations radar pretty fast...

I repeatedly tryd to reason with my rep, told her everything i said in this post, and contacted several other AFF team members, but non of them would listen to anything i had to say. It's basically: do exactly what our lawyer told us, or you won't get payed...

Since these problems, AFF haven't payed me a dime (they currently owe me over $1000)... Similar companies don't ask for a w8/BEN, and the few that do keep 30% of my income to pay taxes, and leave me be....

A couple of days ago, they shoot me an email saying they'll close my account on the 12th of june, forfeit the $1000 AND make me pay a fine for their troubles

Now, this seems totally out of line... Other companies hold 30% of the income to pay taxes if you don't submit a W8/BEN... AFF takes all your money, keeps it themselves, and fines you???
Even the act of paying a fine seems totally ridiculous, since they already "fine" me $1k when they forfeit my money...

Does anybody have any advice? In my opinion, it's already to late to apply for an ITIN now...
it takes:

at least 1 week to get a passport
at least a couple of days to get the passport notarized
a couple of days to get form W-7 and fill it
a couple of days to get a letter from penthouse stating that they'll pay me (apperantly it's needed to get an itin)
at least 4 to 6 weeks to get an itin
a couple of days to fill form w8/BEN

Any advice would be welcome, or is there a penthouse/FFN rep that is willing to work with an affiliate on this forum?

06-17-2013, 05:13 AM
paffie Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 116	ITIN problem/ AFF rep? Hi Guys, I already posted a thread like this in the Q and A section, but i got the tip to move it to this section in order to get an answer... My problem: After receiving over $2000 from adult friend finder (penthouse) over the past couple of years, i was asked to fill a w8/BEN-form in order to keep receiving money from them. I filled the form, according to the guidelines i found for google adwords. My w8/BEN was declined because i didn't fill in an ITIN-number... Now, after reading a lot of info on w8/BEN and ITIN numbers, i'm not even sure i have to fill a w8/BEN, let alone that i should fill in an itin-number (it's even marked as "optional" on the form itself). Next to this, i'm very reluctant to apply for an itin-number because it's expensive (i have to hire an acceptance agent or have the risk of having my application denied, i have to pay for a passport since a belgian identity card does not contain my address,...) AND, more importantly, i'm being an adult webmaster as a hobby... I'm a married individual, i have a kid, i have a regular job,... I don't want to be identified as a porn webmaster... Not by the belgian tax authorities, not by the officials in the village,... Also, since i'm doing this as a hobby, I never registered a company or anything... This job on the side is just to have some spending money when i go to the pub with some friends and i'm afraid that registering an ITIN will put me on the tax administrations radar pretty fast... I repeatedly tryd to reason with my rep, told her everything i said in this post, and contacted several other AFF team members, but non of them would listen to anything i had to say. It's basically: do exactly what our lawyer told us, or you won't get payed... Since these problems, AFF haven't payed me a dime (they currently owe me over $1000)... Similar companies don't ask for a w8/BEN, and the few that do keep 30% of my income to pay taxes, and leave me be.... A couple of days ago, they shoot me an email saying they'll close my account on the 12th of june, forfeit the $1000 AND make me pay a fine for their troubles Now, this seems totally out of line... Other companies hold 30% of the income to pay taxes if you don't submit a W8/BEN... AFF takes all your money, keeps it themselves, and fines you??? Even the act of paying a fine seems totally ridiculous, since they already "fine" me $1k when they forfeit my money... Does anybody have any advice? In my opinion, it's already to late to apply for an ITIN now... it takes: at least 1 week to get a passport at least a couple of days to get the passport notarized a couple of days to get form W-7 and fill it a couple of days to get a letter from penthouse stating that they'll pay me (apperantly it's needed to get an itin) at least 4 to 6 weeks to get an itin a couple of days to fill form w8/BEN Any advice would be welcome, or is there a penthouse/FFN rep that is willing to work with an affiliate on this forum?