What is a W-8BEN form?

The Form W-8BEN is a Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. It is used to report financial information to the Internal Revenue Service for persons who are not U.S. Citizens and have income subject to withholding.

Form W-8BEN informs the IRS that a foreign person is claiming a reduced, or zero, withholding as the owner of income from a foreign country where there is an income tax treaty with the United States. This form is also used to claim exemption for income not subject to withholding for non-U.S. Citizens, such as interest on bank deposits, broker proceeds, gambling gains and amounts earned on dividends, rents or royalties from foreign sources.