Google Changed policy the day after I signed up..

[blasto333]

I am 17 years old and I asked google if there was an age limit before I signed up. They said I could sign up. Then I signed up and got approved. But a day later they changed there policy. I contacted google but they have not replied. Do you think I should just change the account name to my moms or dads?

Thanks,

Chris

[jbinbpt]

Hi Chris,
Welcome to Webmaster World.

Are you sure of the reason that gave for not allowing you into the program? While the Adsense TOS is broad, it also gives fairly specific reasons for not being included.

They also clearly state;

Please note that we may change our policies at any time, and per the Google AdSense Terms and Conditions, it is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with and adhere to the posted policies.

Revisit the TOS and see if their are any conflicts.

jb

[Lil_Red]

Minors cannot enter into legally binding contracts which is probably why Google states that you need to be of legal age to join.

[blasto333]

Well I got into the program before they changed the contract. I am just going to have my dad manage it. I am still in the program.

[Lil_Red]

You do know that your dad will have to report the money you make on google on his taxes and pay tax on it. If he doesn't, he could end up owing the IRS a lot of money in penalties.

[blasto333]

Yeah I know that. That why they will need TaxID soon.

[whizkiddo]

think about it this way...may be u forced G to change their policy ; moreso likely because of the inclusion of such a term and the fact that it happened immedaitely after you joined. though G may be having a policy change on the cards , that particular term may owe its origin to you ;)

just kiddin...i guess if u cant do anything about it you might as well enjoy it. hope your dad doesnt mind the extra work he will have to do during his tax returns. hope hes proud of u that u started earnin big $$$ :)

[lgn]

It is often easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.

Google has signed you up, so don't rock the boat.
In less than a year you will be 18 and will be within the TOS. I would consider yourself grandfathered and just made it under the wire.

You may want to get your own TAX ID and check with the IRS so that the income is taxed in your hands rather than your parents.

In Canada, dependents under 18 can earn income and be taxed on it. However the parent will lose
their child tax credit deduction if the dependent under 18 earns to much money. Im not sure how the IRS handles income with minors in the USA and child tax credits.

If you are going to earn alot of money from adsense, it may be worth while to setup a proper trust, and have your father manage the trust. This gets complicated and requires a lawyer.

[Lil_Red]

I don't believe Google grandfather's people or at least I can't find anywhere on the site that says a previous contract applies.

[blasto333]

If you guys find anything about the grandfather thing, let me know. Google replied and they said I could change the contact person to my mom. But I would rather have it under my name so it would be easier to cash the checks. Do you think I should ask google about the grandfather thing?

[cornwall]

I don't think they intend the TOS to confer grandfather rights

"Please note that we may change our policies at any time, and pursuant to our Terms and Conditions, it is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with and adhere to the policies posted here."

So when they do a change in TOS, as on 1st October, we individually had to assent to the new TOS

They would get themselves in a right mess if we all had different TOS depending on when we joined

[blasto333]

Do you think google will let me change the name under the account when I turn 18? (and tax ID also) I don't want my mom managing this forever.

Thanks,

Chris