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Illegal or Not?
 

Hi

I need to create multiple stealth Amazon associates accounts - however Amazon requests a name & social security number for tax purposes. I know I can create multiple LLCs and get a unique EIN for each one, however it is tedious process. And more importantly, it will cost me several hundred dollars per LLC.

My question is - is it illegal if I claim I'm from outside the US when I sign up for Amazon associates so they do not ask me for my SSN / EIN ?

Of course, I will be paying taxes on these funds I just don't want Amazon to link the accounts.

Is it illegal ? Can I get in trouble from the IRS?


Thanks

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

If you claim that you are from outside US, you need everything from outside - IP, address, phone, ID, other docs. If you are able to provide them with such details, go ahead.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

IP, address and phone is no problem. What other docs do you mean? And how do you know they collect this for ALL international affiliates?

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

If you claim to be Pedro Gonzales from Mexico, they may ask you to send in proofs, like utility bills and ID, so they can verify your identity. They may ask for it at any time. So, being stealth requires some "creativity" at certain points. They actually ask for an ID every their member, if it starts to sell high risk items, or if the account turnover is too high.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

This is for Amazon associates - not to sell on Amazon. I never heard them asking ID from associates..

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Depending on what country you claim you are from, you may need an ITIN.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Missed about associates. Cant say anything about them, sorry.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

........Anyone?

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Follow jeffweico's advice and experiment a bit - you might be able to teach the forum new things agag2

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

How can I experiment with potentially illegal stuff? Experimenting is fine but not in this case..

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

If you are concerned about legalities then you need to seek legal advise (and perhaps an accountant advise as well in this case)

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Well I thought someone might know on the forum

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Have you considered what amazon will do if they discover you are making a claim that is unture?

Make your stealth accounts correctly to reduce problems.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Just set up companies outside the US, then there is no legal issue. Bank accounts can be in the US in the offshore companies name.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

whether its illegal or not is another thing
but for those saying amazon will verify the details if you tick another country.i can confirm they wont send any followups for any verifications

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Thanks! This is a step in the right direction.. Which country are you from?

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Check alim's flag.

You will find it is from Canada.

:canada:

:welcome;

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

its canada

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Do they ask Canadians for any tax info? For example, do they ask you for a Canadian tax ID? Does the whole tax interview exist?

Thanks

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

when you start the tax interview for amazon and if your country is Canada,you simply tick that youre not a us resident and theyll give you 4 questions to tick and once you do and they determine that youre non us resident for tax purposes theyll just take your canadian or whichever country it is,its details.

by details i mean legal address and stuff not ein or SIN number for canada or anything those are not asked

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

ALL countries has tax matters to deal with: what stops your just making use of USA tax needs?

Explain if you could, please.

Re: Illegal or Not?
 

Sorry not sure if I understand.. Do you mean signing up as US resident and use my tax info?

As I pointed out in original post, I need to have multiple stealth affiliate accounts and they would be linked instantly like this...