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Form W-8 BEN

  1. Country USA
  2. Language English
  3. Activity Taxes
  4. Department Internal Revenue Service
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Form W-8 BEN

Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Entities)

Rev. October 2021

[Form W-8BEN (Rev. October 2021)] This tax form is for individuals to provide identification and certification of foreign status for United States tax withholding and reporting. Part I requires the beneficial owner's identification, country of citizenship, permanent residence address, mailing address, U.S. taxpayer identification number, and foreign tax identifying number. Part II allows the beneficial owner to claim tax treaty benefits. Part III is a certification under penalties of perjury. The form must be given to the withholding agent or payer and not sent to the IRS.

Instructions

FAQ
  • What is my filing status?

    You can choose Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household based on your personal circumstances.

  • What is the purpose of Form W-8BEN?

    Form W-8BEN is used by foreign individuals to certify that they are not subject to U.S. income tax withholding on certain types of income, such as scholarship or fellowship income.

  • If I qualify for a treaty exemption, do I need to complete Form W-8BEN?

    Yes, if you qualify for an exception under the first protocol of the U.S.-China tax treaty and want to claim exemption from tax on your scholarship or fellowship income, you would still need to complete Form W-8BEN.

  • What should I do with my completed Form W-8BEN?

    Give it to your withholding agent, who will use the information to reduce or eliminate income tax withholding on your income.

  • How do I sign and date Form W-8BEN?

    You must sign and date Form W-8BEN. The beneficial owner or account holder may incur liability for the penalties provided for an erroneous, false, or fraudulent form.

  • Do I need to file a tax return?

    It depends on your income and filing status.

  • What is the estimated burden for business taxpayers filing Form W-8BEN?

    The estimated burden for business taxpayers filing Form W-8BEN is approved under OMB control number 1545-0123.

  • What is the Paperwork Reduction Act?

    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires federal agencies to get approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before they can collect information from the public. It aims to reduce paperwork burden on the public.

  • What is backup withholding?

    Backup withholding is a requirement that a payer withhold a certain percentage of payments made to a nonresident alien individual or foreign entity if they haven't provided their correct taxpayer identification number or certified their exemption status.

  • What is a W-9 form and why do I need it?

    A W-9 form is used by individuals to provide their name and address to a business for tax reporting purposes. You may need to complete a W-9 if you are paid in cash or if your income isn't reported on a W-2 form.

  • How do I know what forms to file?

    You should consult with a tax professional, refer to the IRS website, or use tax software to determine which forms you need to file.

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ABOUT

Tax forms

Form W-8 BEN is one of Tax forms that are documents used to report information about an individual's or business's income, deductions, and tax liability to the relevant tax authority. These forms are necessary to comply with tax laws and fulfill tax obligations. Tax forms vary depending on the country and the specific tax requirements in place. Here are some common types of tax forms:

Individual Tax Forms: These forms are used by individual taxpayers to report their personal income and claim deductions, credits, and exemptions. Examples include the 1040 form in the United States or the Self-Assessment Tax Return form in the United Kingdom.

Business Tax Forms: Business tax forms are used by companies, partnerships, or self-employed individuals to report their business income, expenses, and other tax-related information. Examples include the Schedule C form (Profit or Loss from Business) in the United States or the CT600 form (Company Tax Return) in the United Kingdom.

Payroll Tax Forms: These forms are used by employers to report the wages, salaries, and taxes withheld from their employees' paychecks. Examples include the W-2 form in the United States or the P60 form in the United Kingdom.

Sales Tax Forms: Sales tax forms are used by businesses to report and remit sales tax collected on taxable goods or services. The specific sales tax forms vary by jurisdiction.

Value Added Tax (VAT) Forms: VAT forms are used in countries that impose a value-added tax to report and remit VAT collected on sales and claim VAT credits for purchases. Examples include the VAT return forms used in many countries.

Estimated Tax Forms: Estimated tax forms are used to report and pay estimated taxes on income that is not subject to withholding, such as self-employment income or investment income.

These are just a few examples of the numerous tax forms that may exist. The specific forms required depend on the tax laws and regulations in your country or jurisdiction. It is important to consult the tax authority's guidelines or seek professional advice to determine which forms are applicable to your situation.

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