I’m from the UK and recently had to get an EIN number or an ITIN number for work done in the USA so I could file W8BEN forms to be exempt from the 30% tax that the USA witholds from any earnings!! This can be for things like writing a book, selling models on Turbosquid or getting paid for your XBox Live Indie games by Microsoft!!
Anyway, I looked around and the process for getting an ITIN number seemed like a bit of a nightmare but the process for getting an EIN was a little more straightforward and much quicker (well so far) here’s the steps I took:-
1. Download SS4 from the IRS website:-
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
2. Download instructions on how to fill in SS4 from the IRS website:-
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iss4.pdf
3. Read the instructions carefully and fill in the SS4, it’s not as complex as it seems at first glance.
4. Phone the IRS on this number 001-215-516-6999 from the UK (001 is the US code) I also phoned at about 8-9pm in the UK!!
5. Go through the form with the nice person and they will issue you with a 9 digit EIN right there and then, WRITE IT DOWN, the paperwork should also arrive in a few weeks!! (will update you if it does)
6. Have a beer/coffee/tea/nap.
As far as I know thats it, Make copies of your SS4 and EIN paperwork to keep for your records and use the EIN to fill in the W8BEN to apply for tax exemption between the UK and USA. You still have to pay your taxes in the UK obviously!! 
W8BEN can be found here:-
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf
I hope this helps out someone out there and feel free to comment, ask questions or post your experiences/advice!!
Also it’s a very good idea to seek advice from your TAX advisor/Accountant/IRS/HMRC etc in your country, don’t take my word for any of this as I’m not qualified in anything…I just make games and draw monsters!!
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