Do I really need to add my Tax ID Number to Seller Information?

[Former_Member]

I've been having trouble finding out why a buyer outside the US would need the seller's tax ID number, which countries require it, and how it will be used. I would prefer not to make it public so it would be helpful to understand why it would be beneficial.

Thanks for the input!
-Ashley

[janeeroberti]

I have never heard of that. If they want your state retail tax id number, that wouldn't be necessary for interstate, let alone international commerce. And if they want you income tax id number, ie your social security number, that smells fishy.

If its a wholesale order, you, the seller would need id to prove the tax-exemptness of the buyer. But again, internationally?

[GoTo]

I've not had a customer request it & I have been shipping internationally several times a month for years--you have?

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the responses. I haven't gotten any requests from buyers but it's actually part of Etsy's recommendations: https://www.etsy.com/help/article/171

"Seller Information: If you are a seller in the European Union or if you are selling to, or specifically targeting, customers in the European Union you may need to include the following information in the Seller Information section. This may not be a requirement for sellers in the United States and other non-European Union countries:

▪ Your name
▪ The physical address from which you run your shop
▪ An email address that buyers can use to contact you
▪ Where applicable, your tax identification number"

Etsy leaves it open as to whether you need it but I wanted some confirmation. Based on what you are both saying, I won't include that information until I hear from Etsy about it.

[janeeroberti]

yeah, wherever is "where applicable".....

[GoTo]

Oh that--you don't need to fill that out unless your local authorities require that disclosure from businesses in your area. That it was put in place for folks in the EU, I don't know of another region that requires specific public disclosure like that in a shop.