If you’re selling through TikTok Shop in the United States, submitting your tax information is essential before you can start receiving payouts.
What tax form should I complete?
- TikTok requires US-based sellers to fill out IRS Form W-9.
- Non-US sellers (selling to US customers or receiving income from US-based activity) must complete Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E.
How to submit your tax information
- Sign in to your TikTok Shop Seller Center.
- If you haven’t provided tax details yet, you’ll see a prominent banner at the top of your dashboard prompting you to Complete Tax Verification or Verify Tax Information.
- If you don’t see the banner, navigate to My Account → Account Settings → Tax Information.
- Click Submit New Form or Edit.
- Fill out the required form.
- Review your entries carefully; ensure your name and tax ID match exactly what is on your legal documents.
- Submit your tax form and certify the information electronically.
- The status will typically show as Pending until TikTok completes the review, which usually takes up to a few business days.
What happens after submission
- TikTok acts as the merchant of record (MOR), meaning they’re responsible for processing payments and handling sales tax compliance on your behalf. You won’t need to manage state or sales taxes manually.
- Sellers who exceed $5,000 in payouts within a calendar year may receive Form 1099-K from TikTok for IRS reporting.
- Inaccurate or missing tax information could delay payouts or trigger backup withholding, so be sure everything is entered correctly.
Tips for smooth tax setup
- Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your SSN or EIN documentation; no nicknames or abbreviations.
- Enter your full physical address (no P.O. boxes).
- If you’re a registered business (e.g., LLC), make sure you’re using the legal entity name and EIN, not a DBA or trade name.
- When markets require international tax forms (non-US sellers completing W‑8BEN), provide official documentation such as a passport number or a foreign tax ID.