W-8BEN Form
As an international investor or non-U.S. resident the W-8BEN form is an essential document for you. This page will guide you through the process of completing the W-8BEN form, helping you qualify for potential tax treaty benefits.
Login
- Open your browser and visit the Client Portal website
- Enter your username and your password
- Authenticate yourself via two-factor authentication
Navigate to the profile section
In the menu at the top right corner, select Welcome and then Settings.
In the Account Profile section, click Profile. In the Profile section, click on the blue ‘i’ icon.
Update your tax forms
After the pop-up window opens, click on Update Tax Forms on the bottom right.
Verify your personal information first. Continue by clicking on Continue and fill in/change information as necessary until the W-8BEN form appears.
In Part II, indicate the country in which you are liable for taxes.
At the bottom of Part III, sign the form by entering your name exactly as it appears.
Finally, click Continue at the bottom right of the page until you receive a confirmation “Your tax form update request has been submitted”.
Extra information
If, after reading this page, you would need help or advice in completing the W-8BEN form or on determining your specific situation, please refer to the IRS’ officially published instructions for the W-8BEN form and/or to your tax or legal adviser.
FAQ
The W-8BEN form is crucial for individuals receiving income from U.S. sources who are not U.S. citizens or residents. It establishes foreign status and allows you to claim tax treaty benefits, qualifying for reduced or exempted tax rates to avoid double taxation. Providing the form to relevant parties helps prevent excessive withholding of taxes on your U.S.-source income, ensuring a lower amount is withheld from your U.S. investments.
Tax treaty benefits refer to the provisions outlined in tax treaties between the United States and foreign countries. These benefits can include reduced or exempted tax rates on certain types of income, such as dividends, interest, or royalties.
You need to complete the W-8BEN form once, but it may require periodic updates or revisions based on changes in your circumstances. For example, if there are changes to your tax residency status or personal information, it is important to update the form accordingly.
Failure to submit the W-8BEN form may result in excessive tax withholding on your U.S.-source income. Without the form, the withholding agent or institution may be required to apply the default withholding rate, which could lead to higher taxes.
No, the W-8BEN form is a necessary document to establish your foreign status and claim tax treaty benefits. Without a valid and completed form, you will not be able to take advantage of these benefits.
While we provide guidelines and support for filling out the form, it is always advisable to consult a tax professional or advisor familiar with international tax laws. They can help ensure compliance with both your home country’s tax regulations and the United States’ requirements.
We would also like to refer to the IRS website (www.irs.gov), where you will find more detailed information around filling out a W-8BEN-E form. We strongly recommend you to consult this website, as the treaty with the US can be very complex.
Yes, if there are changes to your circumstances or the information provided on the form, you should update it accordingly. Follow the previous instructions to change your submitted form.
Disclaimer:
If, after reading this page, you would need help or advice in completing the W-8BEN form or on determining your specific situation, please refer to the IRS’ officially published instructions for the W-8BEN form and/or to your tax or legal adviser.