Agency Advice (East West Literary)

Jeremy Ross

And that’s why I love seeing artists like Dan Santat name same size as the Author.

Hopefully you don’t have to win a Caldecott to have your name on the cover the same size as the authors.

This is great book by the way!

Melanie Ortins

UPDATE: I've been emailing with them and talked to Deborah on the phone yesterday. Seems like it's going to work out!

Just a quick question for anyone who knows contract/tax stuff: At the end of the contract, it asks for my Social Security Number or Federal Tax ID, since the money would be going through the agent in California. However, I'm based in Canada and don't have this info. For any illustrators getting work outside of their own county, do you know if I have to pay US taxes? Canadian taxes? Both? What info do I need to provide for my agent?

I followed up with her but since I'm waiting for a reply, I thought I'd ask in the forum and see if anyone knows.

Melanie Ortins

After some googling, it seems I would just have to pay Canadian income tax as normal and declare any foreign income in Canadian dollars. But if anyone knows any other business/legal things related to working in other countries, please let me know!

NessIllustration

@Melanie-Ortins I ran into the exact same situation with my agent! I'm in Canada and my agent is based in New York. You only need to pay Canadian taxes. As your agent, they will need you to fill a W8-BEN form. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf
They need this so they can tell the US government they are not going to keep taxes from your payments because you're already paying them in Canada. The US has arrangements with several countries including Canada so that people don't end up being taxed twice. In the form they will ask you the precise line of the agreement with Canada that says you don't have to pay taxes in the US. You can find this online with a quick Google.I'm surprised your agent did not send you this form. They may have momentarily forgotten your are not in the US. Remind them you don't have a US social security number and that you will fill a W8-BEN for them.

NessIllustration

@Melanie-Ortins Congrats by the way, I'm very happy for you that this is working out! It's a amazing new chapter in your career!

Melanie Ortins

@NessIllustration Thanks! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where this goes

Thanks for the info too, that's very helpful! The agent just sent me the contract yesterday so I was going over that and by default it asked for SSN at the bottom. I followed up with her to ask about that as well as another point in the contract so I'm waiting to hear back. I know she represents other artists outside of the US so I'm sure she'll send me that form and stuff after I sign on!

Coley

@Melanie-Ortins so happy for you!!! happy dance!

Melanie Ortins

@Coley Thanks!

@Melanie-Ortins Yay!!! Congrats!!!!

Melanie Ortins

@carolinebautista Thanks!