rhea_salehoo wrote:Hi Sebastian,
A sales tax ID is equivalent to VAT ID in Scotland. You're actually not required to get a US sales tax ID as you are not a US-resident. The same with SSN. In general, you cannot apply for a US SSN not unless you have a permit to work in the US from the Department of Homeland Security.
You can apply for a VAT ID locally on Scotland's government website here: Link hidden: Login to view - this serves the same purpose as a sales tax ID and should US suppliers require you of one, you can present them your VAT ID.
Having a sales tax ID means you're obligated to collect sales tax from local buyers for every sale that you make. By local, I mean buyers from Scotland. This will then be remitted to your local government later for government funded facilities such as national parks, or public libraries. For this reason you are not required to collect sales tax from US-buyers as you are living in Scotland thus, not required to have a US sales tax ID.
Hope this information helps.