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> If you wanted to send Apple a fax, use one of the half dozen apps to take a picture and send it as a fax. Wtf? It's the 21st century, why do I need to use fa

> If you wanted to send Apple a fax, use one of the half dozen apps to take a picture and send it as a fax. Wtf? It's the 21st century, why do I need to use fax to communicate with a leading tech company? > In the U.S. and probably other countries, Apple has to send you and the government documentation of the money you made on the App Store My government expressly warns citizens not to send anyone unredacted copies of your national identification documents, and it is illegal for companies to ask for this unless they have a very good reason to do so (very good reasons include being your employer or bank).

pwinnski 9y ago
If you are selling an app in the App Store, then Apple is your employer. That lines up with the GP's point that Apple is required to send both you and your government documentation of your income via the App Store.
- Tijdreiziger 9y ago
  Then Apple is your distributor, not your employer.
  - scarface74 9y ago
    The IRS requires Apple to send them and you a form 1099K - What does my Form 1099-K report to me? A Form 1099-K includes the gross amount of all reportable payment transactions. You will receive a Form 1099-K from each payment settlement entity from which you received payments in settlement of reportable payment transactions. A reportable payment transaction is defined as a payment card transaction or a third party network transaction. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-1099-k https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-1099-k I’m sure other countries require something similar. Either way, they need either Your SSN or your TIN to report it.
    - Tijdreiziger 9y ago
      Yes, because you still need to pay income tax over money you earn, whether an employer paid you or you are independently doing business transactions (i.e. you are self-employed). The page you linked even says "It is important that your business books and records reflect your business income, including any amounts that may be reported on Form 1099-K." Another way to think about it: If Apple were your employer, you'd have to fill out a timesheet and they'd have to pay you at least minimum wage. That's not the case; if your app sells 0 copies, Apple will pay you exactly nothing, regardless of how many hours you spent making the app.

pwinnski 9y ago

If you are selling an app in the App Store, then Apple is your employer. That lines up with the GP's point that Apple is required to send both you and your government documentation of your income via the App Store.

Tijdreiziger 9y ago
Then Apple is your distributor, not your employer.
- scarface74 9y ago
  The IRS requires Apple to send them and you a form 1099K - What does my Form 1099-K report to me? A Form 1099-K includes the gross amount of all reportable payment transactions. You will receive a Form 1099-K from each payment settlement entity from which you received payments in settlement of reportable payment transactions. A reportable payment transaction is defined as a payment card transaction or a third party network transaction. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-1099-k https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-1099-k I’m sure other countries require something similar. Either way, they need either Your SSN or your TIN to report it.
  - Tijdreiziger 9y ago
    Yes, because you still need to pay income tax over money you earn, whether an employer paid you or you are independently doing business transactions (i.e. you are self-employed). The page you linked even says "It is important that your business books and records reflect your business income, including any amounts that may be reported on Form 1099-K." Another way to think about it: If Apple were your employer, you'd have to fill out a timesheet and they'd have to pay you at least minimum wage. That's not the case; if your app sells 0 copies, Apple will pay you exactly nothing, regardless of how many hours you spent making the app.