Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2022 discussion

I have been invited to be an Amazon Vine reviewer. Apparently, they send you free stuff for you to use and review.

Does anyone do this? Is it a good deal? or a nuisance?

Not heard of it yet

me neither

Hi there, I understand that you'll be able to accept and decline products to review. I would opt in and try it out. It's invitation only, and only includes brands that have gone through their brand approval process. It's very likely that means you'll get items that are kind of pricey and just launching.

Pemberley wrote: "Hi there, I understand that you'll be able to accept and decline products to review. I would opt in and try it out. It's invitation only, and only includes brands that have gone through their brand..."

Thank you, Pemberley. I was concerned I would start just getting stuff that I would never use.
I think I will sign up for it.

Well ...
I started the sign-up and looked at a few items. When I returned to the screen, I got a notice that I had to give Amazon a Tax Form W-9 which gives them access to my income tax records, including interest income, investment info, etc.

It seems a lot to ask. I will give it more thought.
I might call my investment guy to get another opinion.

that seems invasive. I wonder if that is normal practice.

Why do they want that?

Katja, it’s because if she gets products worth more than a certain amount ($600, I think) there may be tax implications.

Sure but I don't understand why Amazon would need information about your other income sources or investments to document the value of the review items.

No, you’re correct about that. That’s just intrusive.

I would imagine those types of questions will be very general and will also include educational and household information. It's likely part of very broad statistics they provide to top brands as demographics. Socioeconomic status can be pretty important to advertisers. Anytime in advertising director buys anything ( radio, TV, online ads) they look at demographics.

A W-9 just provides your SSN so they can report income. As someone said above, for items above a certain price you'll need to pay income taxes on it. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-...

Normally a W-9 gives a payer tax information like you name address and ssn. Those are the info Amazon would need to fill
Out a 1099 ( if the accumulated value of your gifts are over $599 in a calendar year)
As a consultant I have had to give out W9s to clients and no one can use it to get your tax info. You fill out a very similar form (W4) that allows your employer to send you a w2.
It sounds like Amazon is asking for more than that I will definitely share the exact letter from Amazon with your attorney or accountant.

I've been doing the Amazon Vine program for more than two years and its just as they represented it to you. The tax details are required b/c they are a business and your product reviews might end up being for high priced or an accumulated amount that requires reporting to IRS at end of the year.

I don't review constantly just when I have time throughout the year and only for stuff I want or can use. I don't always get picked because they got enough reviews before I request, but I get picked most requests I make and the stuff shows up within a few days of the request. Its been a wonderful program.

Thanks, everyone for the input.

I began the registration, and my reviews now show the Vine Voice logo. I did not fill out the W-9 info when it was before me. I may look it up and finish the form. I did look at the items available for review and most seemed to be things I already own or probably would not use.