Internal Revenue Service ยท United States
Form W-8BEN: Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals)
Used by a non-US individual to certify their foreign status to a US withholding agent and, under a tax treaty, claim a reduced rate of withholding.
What Form W-8BEN is for
W-8BEN certifies to a United States withholding agent or payer that you are not a US person and that you are the beneficial owner of income they are about to pay you. Where a tax treaty applies, it is also how you claim a reduced rate of withholding. You give it to the payer, not to the IRS.
Who uses it
- A non-resident individual receiving income from a US payer
- Someone claiming a treaty rate on that income
- Anyone a withholding agent has asked to certify foreign status
What the form asks you for
- Your name, country of citizenship and permanent residence address
- A US or foreign taxpayer identification number
- The treaty country and article, if you are claiming a reduced rate
- A signature from the beneficial owner or an authorised agent
When it is the wrong form
- Form W-8BEN-E if you are an entity rather than an individual.
- Form W-9 if you are a US citizen or other US person, including a resident alien.
- Form W-8ECI if the income is effectively connected with a US trade or business.
Fill Form W-8BEN online
Open the official PDF in ScanMyDocz, complete its form fields in your browser, add a signature or a date if the form needs one, and download the finished copy. What you type stays in your browser.
Questions about Form W-8BEN
Is Form W-8BEN the right form?
Not always. Use Form W-8BEN-E if you are an entity rather than an individual; Form W-9 if you are a US citizen or other US person, including a resident alien; Form W-8ECI if the income is effectively connected with a US trade or business.
Is this the current version of Form W-8BEN?
This page describes the October 2021 version, checked against the IRS on 2026-09-07. Tax forms change, so confirm the latest version with the IRS before you rely on it.
Can I fill Form W-8BEN in ScanMyDocz?
Yes. Choose Fill online to complete its fields in your browser, then download the finished PDF. What you type stays in your browser.
Does ScanMyDocz give tax advice?
No. ScanMyDocz is a document editing and form-filling tool, not a tax advisor. Verify the completed form and current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Related forms
- W-8BEN-E Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Entities)
- W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
- W-4 Employee's Withholding Certificate
- 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- 1099-NEC Nonemployee Compensation
- 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Information
ScanMyDocz provides document editing and form-filling tools. It does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Verify the completed form and the current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.