Fill out W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) online
Form W-8BEN is used by foreign individuals to certify their foreign status for U.S. tax withholding purposes and to claim treaty benefits that may reduce or eliminate withholding on U.S.-source income such as interest, dividends, rents, and royalties.
How to fill out W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding)
Enter your identification
Provide your legal name, country of citizenship, permanent residence address, and mailing address (if different). Enter your foreign tax identification number and, if you have one, your U.S. taxpayer identification number (SSN or ITIN).
Claim tax treaty benefits (Part II)
If your country has a tax treaty with the U.S., enter the country, the specific treaty article, the withholding rate under the treaty, and the type of income. This can reduce the standard 30% withholding rate.
Certify your status
Read the certification statements carefully. You are certifying under penalties of perjury that you are not a U.S. person and that the income is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.
Sign, date, and submit to withholding agent
Sign and date the form and provide it to the entity paying you. The form is generally valid for 3 calendar years from the date of signing, after which you must provide a new form.
About W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding)
Who needs this form
Non-U.S. individuals (nonresident aliens) who receive U.S.-source income subject to withholding. Common scenarios include foreign investors receiving dividends from U.S. stocks, foreign freelancers working for U.S. companies, and non-U.S. individuals receiving interest from U.S. bank accounts.
Where to submit
Provide to the U.S. withholding agent (the entity paying you), such as a bank, brokerage, employer, or client. Do not send this form directly to the IRS. The withholding agent retains it for their records.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- U.S. citizens or residents filing this form (they should use W-9 instead)
- Not claiming an available tax treaty benefit, resulting in unnecessary 30% withholding
- Leaving the foreign tax identification number blank (required in most cases since 2017)
- Not renewing the form before it expires (generally valid for 3 years from the date signed)
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What is the difference between Form W-8BEN and Form W-8BEN-E?
Form W-8BEN is for foreign individuals (natural persons). Form W-8BEN-E is for foreign entities (corporations, partnerships, trusts, etc.). If you are an individual, use W-8BEN. If you are filing on behalf of a foreign business or organization, use W-8BEN-E.
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