Why do the want your TAX ID Number?

[jaadgy akanni]

I was about to order a piece of gear from a European company and I found it weird that they would ask for my tax id number. Is that normal? I've never been asked until now. I certainly don't remember having to give it to red.com. Anyone?

 

[William Albertini]

Do not give it to any entity offshore...

 

[Andy White]

I'm in the UK... for business to business, it's common to use your LTD company reg number and your VAT number.

But if you're talking about your personal tax code, that sounds odd.

 

[jaadgy akanni]

The company I'm referring to is Edelkrone, whose products I'm very interested in, but when I was registering to their website, the TAX ID thing gave me pause. BTW, they also ask you for your birthday.

 

[Brandon J.F.]

Typically it's for Europeans to get out of paying VAT. Select US as a country and the field goes away. DNI / NIF / NIE are acronyms for Spanish identification numbers so likely it's only necessary if you are Spain.

 

[Rob Gardner]

I just bought a book from the Finnish Glass Museum and they wanted my "National Number" in order to fill the order. I gave them my social security number and that seemed fine to them. I think that's just they those Euro-guys roll...

 

[William Albertini]

I just bought a book from the Finnish Glass Museum and they wanted my "National Number" in order to fill the order. I gave them my social security number and that seemed fine to them. I think that's just they those Euro-guys roll...

You should not give out your social security number to non US companies, there is no reason for them to have it and they can not use it for any legitimate purpose. Check with your local Social Security office if you think I am incorrect. In fact even in the US you should be very wary about giving out this information

 

[Christian Munoz D]

In Chile you must use your SSN or EIN for any business transaction.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

I was about to order a piece of gear from a European company and I found it weird that they would ask for my tax id number. Is that normal? I've never been asked until now. I certainly don't remember having to give it to red.com. Anyone?

Jaadgy, it's only about VAT!

In Europe the VAT registration number is asked for the reason that if you live in europe, you don't have to pay the VAT if you buy from another european country.
RED Europe does the same thing.

If you don't have one, don't enter one. That should be fine. Since you have it sent to the US this might be different anyway, but usually you can get the VAT refunded.
So if you can provide the number ahead of time, you might not get charged for it. If there is such a thing as a US VAT registration, you could use it and see if that saves you the VAT.

EDIT: I'm sure the TAX ID wording is just a translation error and should translate to VAT registration.

 

[Jaakko Rinne]

Isn't Edelkrone a Turkish company? So not European. But like the others said, in the EU in B2B transactions the buyer usually supplies their VAT-number so the seller won't charge VAT for the transaction.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Jaako, yup they are situated in turkey. didn't think about that. I'm still sure it's about the VAT only. If I'm not mistaken you can reclaim VAT on all international trades as well. So that just might be the reason. Easiest way to find out why they ask for it: ask 'em

 

[Jaakko Rinne]

I just bought a book from the Finnish Glass Museum and they wanted my "National Number" in order to fill the order. I gave them my social security number and that seemed fine to them. I think that's just they those Euro-guys roll...

Going OT, but if you made a transaction over 50€ with a debit or credit card they need to mark in your social security number. It protects the seller in case of a stolen credit card and if someone with a stolen credit card gives their own SSN, like they would have to in a face-to-face transaction, because they'd be asked for photo i.d., you'd also know who made the illicit purchase. Or at the very least that's the idea. It's common practice in Finland for all credit/debit card purchases, except for ones that go through a service like Verified by Visa.