Google withheld 30% of my earnings for years

Didn't know about W-8BEN form

[SweetPotato]

So today by damn chance i found out there's a form to fill for non US residents "W-8BEN".
If you don't fill it, Google will withhold 30% of your earnings.
So for years I didn't fill this form.
I wonder if the money is for them to keep, or would they refund it to me? (i guess not)

I assumed something this vital would merit a BIG RED warning banner at the top of the Adsense page but nah.
I bet there are thousands of accounts who are paying taxes twice as me and nobody warns them.

[Jori]

I don't know where you're based, but in European Union, that is not the case. We receive our payments from Google, based at Dublin, within the EU.

[ember]

I would think Google is paying the withheld money to the IRS and that you would be getting some kind of notice/form/documentation stating that every year.

[SweetPotato]

I think Google is obligated by IRS to do this.
And this form is for non US residents to avoid being taxed twice in countries that have a treaty.
[support.google.com...]

It is possible they go paperless.

You can see your status in AdSense:
Payments > under Settings click Manage Settings > under United States tax info click the pencil icon > Manage tax info

[robzilla]

As noted, it's unlikely that revenue has been withheld, but you do need to supply the necessary tax information to avoid it in the future, should there be any reason for Google or the IRS to suspect you need to pay US taxes.

In the process of providing your tax information, you can sign what's called an "Affidavit of Unchanged Status". In the event that revenue has erroneously been withheld in the past for taxing purposes, this will allow for that money to be returned to you. More likely you won't receive a dime because nothing has been withheld :-)

Some of it depends on your country of residence/incorporation, so you may want to consult with a local tax advisor to get things right.