If you are a graphic designer, template creator, or digital artist in Pakistan, selling your work on Canva or Envato (ThemeForest, GraphicRiver, Elements) is an incredible way to earn in US dollars. However, there is one major roadblock that stops many Pakistani freelancers from getting paid: the tax form submission.
If you don’t submit your tax forms, these platforms are legally required to withhold up to 30% of your total US-sourced earnings as backup withholding tax.
This simple, human-friendly guide will walk you through exactly how to submit your tax forms from Pakistan so you can keep more of your hard-earned money.
Why Do Canva and Envato Ask for Tax Forms?
Both Canva and Envato are international companies tied to strict tax laws (Envato operates under a US parent entity, and Canva follows strict global and Australian tax laws).
Because you are earning digital royalties from global buyers, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and international tax authorities require these platforms to know who they are paying.
If you don’t submit the form: They assume you might be a US taxpayer hiding income, so they penalize you by taking a default 30% tax deduction.
If you submit the form: You prove you are a non-US resident running your business from Pakistan.
The Good News: The Pak-US Tax Treaty
Pakistan has a tax treaty with the United States. By filling out the correct tax form—specifically the W-8BEN form—you can claim the benefits of this treaty. This can significantly lower your withholding tax rate on sales made to US customers, ensuring you take home a much larger share of your payout.
Step-by-Step: How to Submit Your Tax Form from Pakistan
Since you are a Pakistani resident and not a US citizen, you will be filling out a Form W-8BEN (for individuals) or Form W-8BEN-E (if you register as a formal company).
Here is exactly how to do it on both platforms:
1. For Envato Authors
Envato has updated its portal so that all tax details are managed seamlessly through your Envato Author Tax Information Hub.
Step 1: Log into your Envato Author account and go to the Tax Information page.
Step 2: Click on Complete a Tax Form.
Step 3: Choose “I am not a US person” and select “An Individual” (unless you are registered as a private limited company in Pakistan).
Step 4: Fill in your personal details (Name, Pakistan Address). Ensure your address matches your bank account or CNIC exactly.
Step 5 (Crucial Step): Look for the field called Foreign Tax Identifying Number (Foreign TIN). Enter your 13-digit Pakistani CNIC number here. If you are an active taxpayer registered with the FBR, you can use your NTN (National Tax Number), but your CNIC works perfectly as your individual TIN.
Step 6: Claim Treaty Benefits. Select Pakistan from the dropdown menu to claim the lower treaty tax rate.
Step 7: Sign electronically by typing your full legal name, check the certification boxes, and hit Submit. For more details, you can consult the official Envato non-US W-8 Tax Requirements.
2. For Canva Contributors
If you sell templates, photos, or elements directly through the Canva Creator program:
Step 1: Head over to your Canva Creator Hub and look for Settings or Payout Details.
Step 2: Locate the Tax Information or Tax Form tab.
Step 3: Select the W-8BEN form for non-US individuals.
Step 4: Input your legal name, permanent Pakistani address, and your CNIC/NTN in the Foreign TIN field.
Step 5: Review the information to ensure there are no spelling errors, electronically sign it, and submit. For a deeper look at payments, read the official guide on Setting up payments for Canva Creators.
Important Tips for Pakistani Creators
⚠️ Keep Your Details Matching: The name and address on your tax form must completely match the name on your Envato/Canva profile and your payout method (like Payoneer or your local bank account). Any mismatch can cause your form to be rejected.
What if you don’t have an NTN? You do not need a formal FBR business registration to submit this form to Canva or Envato. Your CNIC number acts as your individual Foreign TIN.
Deadlines Matter: Always fill this out the moment you set up your account. Envato applies withholding taxes directly at the point of your monthly payouts, meaning a missing or expired tax form will result in instant deductions that cannot be refunded later.
Summary Takeaway
Submitting your tax forms from Pakistan isn’t about paying taxes to the US or Australia, it’s simply proving that you are a Pakistani freelancer working from home. Taking 10 minutes to accurately fill out your W-8BEN with your CNIC protects your digital revenue and ensures your online design business stays highly profitable.
