Fill and sign Form W-8BEN online
Certifies that you are not a US person and, where a tax treaty applies, claims a reduced rate of US tax withholding on payments to you.
Form W-8BEN at a glance
- Official name
- Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals)
- Issued by
- IRS
- Country
- United States
- Category
- Tax
- Language
- English
- Who uses it
- Non-US individuals, such as freelancers paid by US clients or platforms, and foreign account holders.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Not stated on the form. Whether an electronically signed W-8BEN is accepted is up to the withholding agent or payer, so check with them.
- Instructions
- Official IRS page
Form W-8BEN is how a non-US individual tells a US payer that they are a foreign person, and claims tax treaty benefits if they qualify. Freelancers paid by US clients and platforms are often asked for one. Open the official form from irs.gov in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page (nothing to download first), type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date in Part III, and download it. Your file stays in your browser and never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Form W-8BEN
Check that W-8BEN is the right form
W-8BEN is for individuals. Foreign companies use W-8BEN-E, US persons (including US citizens living abroad) use W-9, and income effectively connected with a US trade or business uses W-8ECI.
Complete Part I (lines 1 to 8)
Enter your name, country of citizenship, permanent residence address (not a P.O. box or in-care-of address), mailing address if different, US TIN if required, foreign tax identifying number (line 6a, or tick 6b if you are not legally required to have one), any reference number and your date of birth (MM-DD-YYYY).
Complete Part II if you claim treaty benefits
On line 9, name the country where you are resident for tax treaty purposes. Use line 10 only if your claim depends on conditions not covered by line 9 and Part III, for example a specific treaty article and rate.
Sign and date Part III
Tick the box confirming you have capacity to sign, add your signature and the date, and print your name. An agent signing for you must attach a power of attorney.
Give it to the payer, not the IRS
The form says: give this form to the withholding agent or payer, and do not send it to the IRS. Send it before you are paid so the correct withholding applies.
What you need before you start
- Your permanent residence address and date of birth.
- Your foreign tax identifying number from your country of residence, if the payer needs it.
- If you are claiming a reduced treaty rate: your treaty country and, for line 10, the treaty article and rate. The official instructions explain when line 10 applies.
Can I sign a W-8BEN electronically?
The form itself doesn't say. The IRS instructions for Form W-8BEN say an electronic signature must show that the form was electronically signed by a person authorised to do so, and that simply typing your name into the signature line is not an electronic signature. The requester instructions let a withholding agent accept an electronically signed form that meets those requirements, and rely on a form received by fax or scanned and emailed.
Whether your payer accepts a signed PDF is their decision, so check with them first.
How long is a W-8BEN valid?
Generally from the date you sign it until the last day of the third calendar year after that, unless your circumstances change. If information on the form becomes incorrect, for example you move to the US, the instructions say you must notify the payer within 30 days and give a new form.
Form W-8BEN: frequently asked questions
Who needs to fill out a W-8BEN?
Non-US individuals who receive US-source income, such as freelancers paid by US clients or platforms, when the payer asks for proof of foreign status. Foreign entities use W-8BEN-E instead.
Do I send the W-8BEN to the IRS?
No. The form says to give it to the withholding agent or payer and not to send it to the IRS.
Can I sign a W-8BEN electronically?
The IRS instructions allow an electronic signature that shows the form was electronically signed by an authorised person, but say a typed name alone is not enough. Whether a signed PDF is accepted is up to your payer, so ask them.
How long does a W-8BEN last?
Generally until the last day of the third calendar year after the year you sign it, unless a change in circumstances makes it incorrect sooner.
What is the difference between a W-8BEN and a W-9?
A W-9 is for US persons and gives the payer a US taxpayer ID. A W-8BEN is for non-US individuals and certifies foreign status. US citizens living abroad still use a W-9.
Is BunnyDoc affiliated with the IRS?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the IRS. We link to the official form on irs.gov.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with IRS. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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