Have you noticed Google AdSense asking you to submit Irish tax documentation to prove your UK tax residency? Recent AdSense changes now mean Google requires proof of tax residency to determine their withholding obligations in Ireland on payments made to content creators.
How do I prove my tax residency?
Unfortunately, it is not as straightforward as uploading a copy of your driving licence, passport, or even correspondence from HMRC—as I am sure many content creators have already tried to do.
Firstly, you should apply for a “Certificate of Residency for tax purposes” from HMRC to prove your tax residency. A certificate of residence letter which confirms that the taxpayer was a tax resident in the UK in a particular period. The form provides a way for a UK tax resident individual to prove to a foreign tax authority that they are a tax resident in the UK.
This process can take up to three weeks. After that, HMRC will post the certificate to you or your agent, should you prefer.
Okay… I have received my Certificate of Residency… Now what?
Finally, once you have received your Certificate of Residency, you can upload it to your AdSense account. This will allow you to remove any requests or errors on your AdSense account.
This will also ensure no tax is incorrectly withheld on your AdSense income. In addition, the UK has a double taxation treaty with Ireland, meaning content creators should not face any Irish tax on their AdSense earnings.
If this process feels confusing or overwhelming, all is not lost! As always, the team at Starbox is here to help, so please get in touch. You can also speak with your regular contact on the team, and we will be delighted to assist you further.