How to comply with TikTok US TIN requirement for Creator Fund eligibility?

You're facing a common issue with the TikTok Creator Fund program. The TIN requirement is there because TikTok needs to comply with IRS requirements - any platform paying creators needs to report those earnings to the tax authorities. Since you're under 18, you have a few legitimate options. First, you could have a parent or guardian set up a custodial business account with their TIN (SSN or EIN). They would technically be the responsible party for tax purposes, but you could still operate the TikTok account. Another option is waiting until you turn 18, at which point you can apply for your own TIN. If that's soon, it might be your simplest route. What I wouldn't recommend is trying to use someone else's TIN or create a business entity with false information. TikTok and the IRS take verification seriously, and misrepresenting your identity could lead to account termination or even legal issues down the road.

I had a similar issue when trying to monetize my content across various platforms. I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me understand all the requirements for content creator tax compliance. It walks you through exactly what you need based on your specific situation. For your case, it explained that minors can indeed earn income, but as the expert mentioned, you'll need a responsible adult with a TIN. The site helped me understand how to properly document everything so both platforms and the IRS are satisfied. It even helped me figure out which forms I'd need to file later. The best part was uploading TikTok's terms and getting a plain-English explanation of what they actually mean tax-wise. Saved me hours of confusing research!

Just wanted to follow up after checking out taxr.ai - it was actually super helpful! I uploaded TikTok's Creator Fund terms and the tool broke down exactly what I needed as a Canadian creator monetizing to US audiences. It explained that I need a W-8BEN form rather than a US TIN, which TikTok accepts for international creators. The instructions were crystal clear, and it even generated a checklist of steps for my specific situation. What surprised me was how it explained the tax treaty implications between US and Canada that I had no idea about. Definitely saved me from making mistakes that could have caused problems later. Thanks for recommending it!

After dealing with the exact same TIN verification headache with TikTok, I eventually turned to Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get direct help from the IRS. I initially tried calling the IRS myself to ask about TIN options for minors, but kept hitting endless hold times or disconnections. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes (you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). The agent explained that as a minor, I could either use a parent's information or apply for my own ITIN if I didn't qualify for a SSN. The IRS clarification made it much easier to proceed with TikTok's verification process. Before speaking with an actual agent, I was getting all sorts of conflicting advice online.

I have to eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my missing tax transcript (which I needed for a mortgage application). The service actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back in about 30 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. She was able to help me request my transcript to be mailed immediately rather than waiting 6-8 weeks through the normal online request. For the original poster, talking directly to the IRS about your TIN situation as a minor would definitely clear things up. They explained options I never found anywhere online. Worth every penny for the time saved and stress avoided.

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar situation last year (though I was 18, just didn't have a TIN yet). I went the route of creating an LLC through a formation service, and it was a relatively smooth process. I set it up in Wyoming because of the privacy laws there, got an EIN for the LLC, and used that for TikTok's verification. The whole thing cost about $300 including state filing fees, but it gave me a proper business structure from the start. The advantage is that now I have an actual business entity for all my social media activities, which makes deducting expenses much cleaner. Just another option to consider if the custodial account doesn't work out!

Has anyone considered using a fiscal sponsor instead? When I was 16 and making money from YouTube, I worked with a fiscal sponsor organization that essentially acted as my business entity. They had their own TIN, handled the tax reporting, and then paid me as a contractor. The benefit was that I didn't need to set up any business structures or use my parents' information. The downside is they took about 7-10% of my earnings as their fee. But for someone just starting out, it might be easier than the LLC route.

I went through a similar situation when I was 16 and needed to monetize my YouTube channel. What worked for me was having my dad set up a simple sole proprietorship using his SSN. It's actually the most straightforward approach for minors. Here's what we did: My dad reported the income on Schedule C of his tax return as a sole proprietor, with me listed as an employee/contractor. TikTok accepted his SSN for verification, and we kept detailed records of all income and expenses related to my content creation. The key is making sure your parent understands they'll be responsible for paying taxes on the income (though you can obviously contribute to those payments from your earnings). We also opened a separate bank account just for the content income to keep everything organized. This approach avoided the complexity and costs of setting up an LLC while still being completely legitimate. Plus, it gave me good experience with business record-keeping that helped when I eventually started my own company at 18.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation but from a slightly different angle - I'm 17 and my parents are divorced. My mom is supportive of my TikTok content but doesn't have great credit/financial history, while my dad has better finances but isn't really involved in my social media stuff. From what I'm reading, it sounds like either parent could technically help with the TIN verification using their SSN, right? I'm wondering if it matters which parent I choose from a practical standpoint, or if TikTok cares about the specific relationship as long as there's a valid TIN and proper documentation. Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects things like financial aid for college? I'm worried that having substantial social media income reported under a parent's SSN might impact my FAFSA eligibility next year.

Great advice from everyone here! I just want to add one important point that might save you some headaches down the road - make sure to keep detailed records of ALL your content creation expenses from day one, regardless of which TIN route you choose. This includes things like equipment purchases, software subscriptions, phone bills (if you use your phone for content), even a portion of your internet bill. When tax time comes around, these business deductions can significantly reduce the tax burden on your TikTok earnings. I learned this lesson the hard way when I started making money from my content at 16. My mom and I used her SSN for platform verification, but we didn't track expenses properly in the first year. We ended up paying way more in taxes than we needed to because we couldn't prove legitimate business expenses. Now I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything, and it's made a huge difference. The IRS allows content creators to deduct reasonable business expenses, but you need documentation to back it up. Start this habit early and your future self (and parent handling the taxes) will thank you!

This is such a comprehensive discussion! I'm currently helping my nephew (who's 16) navigate a similar TIN situation for his gaming content across multiple platforms, not just TikTok. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that different platforms sometimes have slightly different requirements for TIN verification. For example, YouTube's Partner Program, Twitch's Affiliate Program, and TikTok's Creator Fund all require tax information, but they may accept it in different formats or have different thresholds. If you're planning to monetize across multiple platforms (which most successful creators do), it's worth understanding these differences upfront. Some platforms are more flexible with custodial arrangements, while others are stricter about whose name the account is registered under. Also, since you mentioned investing so much time in growing your account - don't forget that even if you can't join the Creator Fund immediately, there are other monetization options that might not have the same TIN requirements, like brand partnerships or selling merchandise. These could help you start earning while you sort out the formal tax documentation. The custodial account approach that others suggested really is the most straightforward path though. Just make sure whichever parent helps you is prepared for the tax implications and comfortable managing that side of things!

I'm really glad to see such a thorough discussion about navigating TIN requirements as a minor creator! As someone who's dealt with various tax situations in the content creation space, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help. First, whichever route you choose (custodial account, LLC with parent involvement, etc.), make sure to set up a separate business bank account from day one. Even if it's under your parent's name, having dedicated business banking makes everything cleaner for tax reporting and helps establish legitimacy with platforms. Second, consider getting familiar with quarterly estimated tax payments early. Once your TikTok income gets substantial, the IRS expects taxes to be paid throughout the year, not just at year-end. Your parent (if they're handling the TIN) will need to understand this to avoid penalties. Finally, document everything about your content creation process - time spent, expenses, income sources, etc. This creates a clear paper trail showing this is legitimate business activity, which helps if you ever face questions from platforms or tax authorities. The custodial approach really is the most straightforward path for your situation. Just make sure both you and your parent understand the ongoing responsibilities, not just the initial setup. Good luck with your Creator Fund application!