Royalty Information for foreign authors

United States Tax laws require the university to withhold thirty percent of any payment to foreign individuals. Foreign individuals, who live in countries that have a tax treaty with the United States, can apply for an exemption from this requirement. To do so you must fill out and sign a W-8BEN, formally known as a Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. Harvard also requires you to complete the Foreign National Information Form (FNIF). These documents should be mailed to:

    Harvard University Press
    Royalties Department
    79 Garden Street
    Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 USA

    Tel: 617-496-1250
If you are claiming benefits under an income tax treaty, the W-8BEN requires you to provide a U.S. taxpayer identification number (see instructions for Part I, Line 6. of the W-8BEN). A U.S. taxpayer identification number is a Social Security Number (SSN) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

If you do not have a SSN and are eligible to get one (see eligibility requirements), you may apply on Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. If you apply for the SSN please call 1-800-772-1213 for instructions on where to mail the completed form.

If you do not have a SSN and are not eligible to get one, you should apply for an ITIN using Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Upon Completion, the W-7 should be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service at the following address:

    Internal Revenue Service
    ITIN Operation
    P.O. Box 149342
    Austin, TX 78714-9342

Please do not send the SSN or ITIN application forms to Harvard University Press.

Please note: your Tax Identification Number from your own country is not acceptable for claiming exemption from withholding from your U.S. Royalty Income.

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