FAQ
How do I change the payee on my account?
I am the beneficiary for a royalty participant that has passed away. How do I update this account?
Is it possible to get a more detailed explanation of costs charged on my statement?
How do I arrange for a courtesy copy to be sent to one of my representatives?
How do I change the name that appears on my statement?
Where is my royalty statement for last period?
Why wasn’t a payment included with my statement?
Why did my check include tax withholdings?
I never received/cashed my check. Can it be reissued?
If I am a foreign vendor, do I need a W8BEN?
If my 1099 (or other tax form) is incorrect, how do I fix it?
How can I find out if I am owed royalties?
Why is my account blocked for payment, being cross recouped, or include an unrecouped balance?
For purposes of updating our files, and to ensure that any future or outstanding statements and/or payments are sent out accordingly, we need the following documentation:
1. A notarized letter directing us where to send royalty statements and/or payments. Please include the full name of the payee, address and social security number. Be sure to put your old address as well as a new one – as we need to confirm you are the correct person to be paid. Address Change Request
2. Updated W-9 Tax Form signed by the PAYEE ONLY in order to verify the information matches what is in our system. W9 W8BEN
The above documentation is a company policy and protects our and our Royaltors' interests. Please be advised that we cannot release ANY royalty information without the above documentation and that all address and payee changes must be approved by our Business & Legal Affairs Department.
Please return the above documentation to Sony Music Entertainment, Attn: Account Maintenance, 210 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA, by fax at (201) 777-3047 or by email at royalty.statements@sonymusic.com.
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How do I change the payee on my account?
For the purpose of updating our files, and to ensure that any future or outstanding statements and/or payments are sent out accordingly, we need the following documentation:
1. A notarized letter from the ORIGINAL PAYEE directing us where to send royalty statements and/or payments. Please include the full name of the new payee, address and social security number. Be sure that both the old and new payee sign this form. Payee Change Request
2. Updated W-9 Tax Form signed by the NEW PAYEE. W9 W8BEN
The above documentation is a company policy and protects our and our Royaltors' interests. Please be advised that we cannot release ANY royalty information without the above documentation and that all address and payee changes must be approved by our Business & Legal Affairs Department.
Please return the above documentation to Sony Music Entertainment, Attn: Account Maintenance, 210 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA, by fax at (201) 777-3047 or by email at royalty.statements@sonymusic.com.
I am the beneficiary for a royalty participant that has passed away. How do I update this account?
For the purpose of updating our files, and to ensure that any future or outstanding statements and/or payments are sent out accordingly, we are further requesting the following documentation:
1. A notarized letter & written designation from the fiduciary concerned including full name, address and social security (or Federal Tax ID #: W-9) of the appropriate payee that directs us as to where to send these royalty statements and/or payments. To expedite, I have included a form that can be filled out. If there are multiple payees being designated, then a notarized letter from all payees must be sent with distribution of royalties detailed. Payee Change (due to death) W9
2. A recently certified copy of the letter testamentary (legal will) or letters of administration giving us details on who should be receiving these royalties.
3. A copy of the death certificate.
The above documentation is a company policy and protects our and our Royaltors' interests. Please be advised that we cannot release ANY royalty information without the above documentation and that all address and payee changes must be approved by our Business & Legal Affairs Department.
Please return the above documentation to Sony Music Entertainment, Attn: Account Maintenance, 210 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA, by fax at (201) 777-3047 or by email at royalty.statements@sonymusic.com.
Sony Music is dedicated to providing accurate accountings to our royalty participants and would be happy to explain any questions you have concerning your statements. Please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Statement Inquiry
4. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)
Is it possible to get a more detailed explanation of costs charged on my statement?
Yes. Please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3.
Please state as the subject issue: Cost Inquiry
4. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have
made a previous inquiry)
How do I arrange for a courtesy copy to be sent to one of my representatives?
This request does not require a specific form. However, we need a letter from the payee requesting that a courtesy copy statement be sent out on their behalf. Please include the vendor number and statement period you wish to be sent along with the necessary contact information for the proposed recipient. Please note that this request must come from the CURRENT PAYEE and we must be able to verify. Therefore email submissions are usually not sufficient and must be sent through the mail.
Please return to Sony Music Entertainment, Attn: Account Maintenance, 210 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA, by fax at (201) 777-3047 or by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com.
How do I change the name that appears on my statement?
Even if you are using the same Tax ID number, any change to the name of the account that would affect payments is considered a payee change. For the purpose of updating our files, and to ensure that any future or outstanding statements and/or payments are sent out accordingly, we need the following documentation:
1. A notarized letter from the ORIGINAL PAYEE directing us where to send royalty statements and/or payments. Please include the full name of the new payee, address and social security number. Be sure that both the old and new payee sign this form. Payee Change Request
2. Updated W-9 Tax Form signed by the NEW PAYEE. W9 W8BEN
The above documentation is a company policy and protects our and our Royaltors' interests. Please be advised that we cannot release ANY royalty information without the above documentation and that all address and payee changes must be approved by our Business & Legal Affairs Department.
Please return the above documentation to Sony Music Entertainment, Attn: Account Maintenance, 210 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA, by fax at (201) 777-3047 or by email at royalty.statements@sonymusic.com.
Where is my royalty statement for last period?
Please refer to your contract regarding the frequency with which you should be receiving statements. Most statements are rendered twice a year and are received at the end of March and September. If you need a statement that was already sent, please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Statement Inquiry
4. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)
Please understand that we try to accommodate as much as possible inquiries regarding statements, whether received by email, fax, or over the phone. Please be advised that we can ONLY provide information to an individual or representative directly related to the account information on record. No exceptions can be made to this practice as it protects the rights of our Royaltors.
Why wasn’t a payment included with my statement?
There are many reasons why your account may not be payable. Please check the closing balance and make sure that it’s a (+) payable balance. If not, despite earnings, no payment is owed for this account. If so, payment may be held for either an account or vendor issue.
Account issue: This includes unrecoupment, cross-recoupment, no contract on file, legal issues, etc. For this hold to be removed, it may require some research and approval from a Royalty Administrator.
Vendor issue: This includes bad address, missing tax id, tax levy, or a temporary hold in order to resolve an issue such as reissuing old uncashed checks. This hold can be often removed by Sony receiving the proper documentation. Please send an email, submit a request, or call 201-777-3448 with your account number. If you know the change that is needed, please search our FAQs for the proper forms and submission process.
Why did my check include tax withholdings?
We a need a valid US Tax ID number on file in order to process a payment. Without a Tax ID, all payments may be subject to a tax withholding of 30%. The monies related to this tax withholding must be sent to the IRS. Please include a W9 whenever you submit an account change even if you believe we already have one on file. W9 W8BEN
I never received/cashed my check. Can it be reissued?
Please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry, please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Payment Inquiry
4. Check number and amount (if possible)
5. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)
Please allow 7-10 business days for the new check to be received. If the check was not received due to a bad address, incorrect payee, etc., then the account change must be resolved BEFORE we can begin the process of reissuing your payment.
We a need a valid US Tax ID number on file in order to process a payment. Without a Tax ID, all payments may be subject to a tax withholding of 30%. The monies related to this tax withholding must be sent to the IRS. Please include a W9 whenever you submit an account change even if you believe we already have one on file. W9
If I am a foreign vendor, do I need a W8BEN?
We a need a valid US Tax ID number on file in order to process a payment. Without a Tax ID, all payments may be subject to a tax withholding of 30%. For this reason we require a W8-BEN to be provided EVEN if you are not a US citizen. You MUST complete Line # 6 with a US Tax ID number. W8BEN
If you do not have a US Tax ID, please refer to the W7 form regarding obtaining one. W7
Depending on the treaty between the US and your country, if the services were not provided in the US, or additional factors apply, then a W8-BEN may not be necessary. Please contact us and we will do our best to assess the situation and determine what tax forms are needed.
If my 1099 (or other tax form) is incorrect, how do I fix it?
Please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Tax Related Inquiry
4. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)
How can I find out if I am owed royalties?
Link to http://www.sonymusic.com/footer/royaltors_search.html and enter your account information. Even if your search is unsuccessful, you may still be owed royalties or your account information may need updating.
Please send your inquiry by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Missing Royalties
4. If the above is not known, what artists/products may entitle you to royalties?
5. The issue ID number previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)
Why is my account blocked for payment, being cross recouped, or include an unrecouped balance?
Please send your inquiries by email to royalty.statements@sonymusic.com or call the Royalty Help Line at (201) 777-3448. In order to expedite an answer to your inquiry please be prepared with the following information:
1. Account Name and Number
2. Vendor Number
3. Please state as the subject issue: Statement Inquiry
4. Any issue ID previously provided by our Help Line (this applies if you have made a previous inquiry)