Frequently Asked questions

Why should I register with SoundExchange?

SoundExchange is the sole organization that collects digital performance royalties for sound recordings in the United States. So, one of the main reasons you should register is to collect any and all of these royalties that are due to you. You might already have royalties waiting for you, and even if you don’t, it’s important to get your account set up in advance so that when you do have royalties available, everything is already in place for you to get paid.

SoundExchange pays royalties directly to music creators, offering monthly payments at one of the lowest administrative rates in the music industry (between 4-6%) and paying out most royalties within 45 days of receipt. Even better, you can opt in to monthly direct deposits to ensure that you get the money you deserve each month directly to your bank account—no more waiting around on paper checks.

Best of all? Registering with SoundExchange is free and easy to do using our online registration.

Can I still register if I’m not from the US?

Yes. But there are some tax differences:

We require a W-8BEN tax form from all non-U.S. registrants. 30% withholding is applied to all non-U.S. payees unless they submit a completed W-8BEN form. If their country is eligible and they provide a tax ID on their W8-BEN form, they could be eligible for reduced withholding.

We also offer international direct deposit to Canada, the United Kingdom, Eurozone countries, and more (only in local currency). Direct deposit payments are made monthly for accounts with $100 or more accrued and quarterly for accounts with at least $10 accrued. Check payments are made quarterly to accounts with a balance of $100 or more.

You can update your tax and payment information through SoundExchange Direct by clicking here.

Can I Get Paid Directly to My Bank Account?

Yes! If you have a checking account in any of the countries listed below, SoundExchange can pay you, in your local currency, via direct deposit. If you would like to register for direct deposits, please let us know! You can update your payment method through SoundExchange Direct by clicking here. Registering for direct deposits allows an account to be paid monthly if it accrues at least $100, or quarterly if it accrues at least $10. SoundExchange also supports payment to Cash App (for SoundExchange registrants taxed as U.S. individuals) and Zelle (for SoundExchange registrants taxed as a U.S. individual or company) accounts.

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece

Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands

New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States

Do I need a digital royalty broker to be paid?

No. SoundExchange is the sole organization designated by the U.S. Library of Congress to collect and distribute digital performance royalties for sound recordings.

Recently, a handful of independent entities attempting to operate as brokers have begun to emerge, soliciting fees from creators (i.e., $19.99 per month) in return for providing what they consider an estimate of royalties a creator may be owed by SoundExchange.

Brokers such as these are not authorized SoundExchange partners or affiliates, and SoundExchange does not work with brokers or third-party vendors in this capacity. Therefore, we cannot comment on their methodology or offer insight into the accuracy of the information they distribute.

To learn more, click here.

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