Amazon - revised operating agreement & international affiliates/associates

20 replies
Received an email from Amazon today saying a revised operating agreement goes into effect May 15th.

The new agreement apparently contains the text:

"By participating in the Program, you agree that you will perform all services under the Operating Agreement within the United States. If, for any reason, you cannot comply with this requirement, you must notify us using this link for an exception."

The link is of course not active.

Have contacted them (we are in the UK)
#affiliates or associates #agreement #amazon #international #operating #revised
  • Profile picture of the author collinslad
    I'm in the UK & have asked for clarification - I'm hoping it's just a case of getting permission via the link.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stevie C
    Originally Posted by SunilTanna View Post

    Received an email from Amazon today saying a revised operating agreement goes into effect May 15th.

    The new agreement apparently contains the text:

    "By participating in the Program, you agree that you will perform all services under the Operating Agreement within the United States. If, for any reason, you cannot comply with this requirement, you must notify us using this link for an exception."

    The link is of course not active.

    Have contacted them (we are in the UK)
    Would be interested in hearing the outcome, cheers Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author tomako
    "perform all services" "within the United States"

    I'm very interested. Are they kicking out non-us citizens and who lives out of the United States?
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  • Profile picture of the author Khal
    I just sent them an email for some clarification.
    Will wait and see what they say.
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  • Profile picture of the author squidface
    Banned
    man....i know a few business owners that rely 100% on Amazon. How they sleep at night i have no idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author careybaird
    I am interested to hear the clarification on this.. it is potentially a strange move by Amazon.

    Note that it is under the "Enrollment" section of the agreement, so might only apply to new Amazon Associates members.
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  • Profile picture of the author cooler1
    On the official Amazon forum, they're saying that non-US Amazon affiliates need to fill out a tax form. This is confusing, as taxes are done with the HMRC for those of us who live in the UK for instance.
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    • Profile picture of the author SunilTanna
      Originally Posted by cooler1 View Post

      On the official Amazon forum, they're saying that non-US Amazon affiliates need to fill out a tax form. This is confusing, as taxes are done with the HMRC for those of us who live in the UK for instance.
      It may be that they want you to fill out a W-8BEN. I've had to do that for lots of other US-based affiliate programs. It's not hard - it's only a page long.

      This tells the IRS (the US tax service) that you are outside the US.

      In the case of reciprocal tax countries (like the UK), you then are not subject to any withholding, otherwise you might be.

      Of course this is all speculation, barring any clarification from Amazon, and I'm not a tax advisor, nor attorney, nor otherwise knowledgeable about the US tax system.
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      • Profile picture of the author Stevie C
        Originally Posted by SunilTanna View Post

        It may be that they want you to fill out a W-8BEN. I've had to do that for lots of other US-based affiliate programs. It's not hard - it's only a page long.

        This tells the IRS (the US tax service) that you are outside the US.

        In the case of reciprocal tax countries (like the UK), you then are not subject to any withholding, otherwise you might be.

        Of course this is all speculation, barring any clarification from Amazon, and I'm not a tax advisor, nor attorney, nor otherwise knowledgeable about the US tax system.
        I actually completed one of these or something similar for Amazon a while back.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    Very interesting... I read the notice this morning and was interested to see what it entailed hmmm...

    Are they draconian enough to boot all non-USA residents? Maybe they'll have a DIFFERENT wing of the affiliate program for international affiliates?

    Keep us posted...
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    • Profile picture of the author Selena85
      I'm a bit worried as well, since I'm from South America. I hope it's just a tax thing. I sent them an email asking for clarification; let's see what they reply.

      I'm also searching for options for other affiliates programs I could use, just in case. I never hurts to have a plan B.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
    Even if they are requiring people to work within the US, everything is not lost as they specify that you can get an exception.

    Update:

    You can contact Amazon through Amazon Associates Support in real-time, and I did just that. I asked them about the US-thing change and they said that most associates located outside of the US can continue performing the services they refer to in the Operating Agreement change.

    They also said that it's important to reply to an email they send me before. I didn't receive it, so the chat assistant was kind enough to paste it into the conversation we had. The email basically asks you if you live in the US or not.

    I cannot vouch for other countries, but Romania seems to be safe, so I'm assuming the UK is good to go, too.
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  • Profile picture of the author collinslad
    I've had a reply from Amazon. Non-US associates can still take part. They ask are you in the US while participating in their programme.

    If you are, then you need to answer what percentage of time you were in the US while participating in the programme each year since 2010.

    If you're outside the US you have to let them know but don't have to answer the question on percentages.

    The return email address has "tax" in it so I assume it may be something to do with US tax.

    Sent from my iPhone
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    • Profile picture of the author tomako
      Originally Posted by collinslad View Post

      I've had a reply from Amazon. Non-US associates can still take part. They ask are you in the US while participating in their programme.

      If you are, then you need to answer what percentage of time you were in the US while participating in the programme each year since 2010.

      If you're outside the US you have to let them know but don't have to answer the question on percentages.

      The return email address has "tax" in it so I assume it may be something to do with US tax.

      Sent from my iPhone
      Thanks for sharing this. I remember that I filled such a form a couple months ago.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlwaysAwa
    This must have to do with the law i believe.

    Update: It have to do with tax declaration. I just have a chat with one of the support staff. Very friendly person.

    Have to wait till 15 May for the email. Some were send earlier.
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  • Profile picture of the author hinhthoi
    I don't think they require us to work within US. Amazon developed firmly because of a quite big contributions from affiliates
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    • Profile picture of the author Linder
      I have received a response from Amazon on this matter. It does seem to be a tax matter. Filled out the form they sent me (only 2 questions):

      If you recently provided this information in response to an email request from us, there is no need for you to submit the information again.

      If you have multiple Associate accounts (store ID 's), please provide one statement only, applicable to all of your related accounts (store ID's).

      1. Are you located outside of the United States when conducting business with the Amazon Associate Program? (Place an 'X' in the appropriate box)
      ( )YES  ( )NO

      2. If no, please answer the question below. (If yes, please stop here and send your response via e-mail)

      For each of the following calendar years, please indicate the approximate percentage of time during each year that you were physically located inside the United States when your services for Amazon Associates were performed.

      Percentage of time located inside the United States performing services for Amazon Associates:
      2010:
      2011:
      2012:
      2013:
      2014:
      As part of your ongoing participation in the Amazon Associates program, you must inform us in writing if the location of your services changes. Amazon will consider your response to this email as your affirmation of where your services are performed until you provide us with written notification of any change.

      If you have any further questions, please contact us at tax-docs@amazon.com.

      Hope this helps some here.
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  • Profile picture of the author hinhthoi
    So, does it mean that international affiliates do not need to do anything regarding this new change in their operating agreement?
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    • Profile picture of the author Linder
      Originally Posted by hinhthoi View Post

      So, does it mean that international affiliates do not need to do anything regarding this new change in their operating agreement?
      Amazon requested that I fill out that form and email it to their tax department. That is all they wanted/needed from me for now.
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  • Profile picture of the author mano war
    So how it would end up? do i need to email them or just wait for their email? i got the general term update already.
    I knew they would do it at some point, cuz it was a way for US residents to skip Tax by telling they are outside of US.
    Not sure hows it going to be now.
    if anyone got any more info or updates please share
    Thanks
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