Fill out W-8BEN-E (Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding - Entities) online
Form W-8BEN-E is used by foreign entities (corporations, partnerships, trusts, etc.) to certify their foreign status for U.S. tax withholding purposes, claim tax treaty benefits, and provide their FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) classification.
How to fill out W-8BEN-E (Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding - Entities)
Enter entity identification (Part I)
Provide the entity name, country of incorporation, FATCA classification, permanent residence address, and tax identification numbers (foreign TIN and U.S. TIN if applicable).
Claim tax treaty benefits (Part III)
If the entity qualifies for treaty benefits, enter the country of residence, the treaty article, the withholding rate, and the type of income. Certify the limitation on benefits (LOB) provision that applies.
Complete the applicable FATCA section
Based on the FATCA classification selected in Part I, complete the corresponding Part (IV through XXVIII). Each classification has specific certification requirements.
Sign and submit
An authorized representative of the entity must sign the certification in Part XXX. Provide the completed form to the U.S. withholding agent.
About W-8BEN-E (Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding - Entities)
Who needs this form
Foreign entities that receive U.S.-source income subject to withholding. This includes foreign corporations receiving dividends, foreign vendors providing services to U.S. companies, and foreign financial institutions subject to FATCA reporting.
Where to submit
Provide to the U.S. withholding agent (the entity making the payment). Do not send directly to the IRS. The withholding agent retains the form 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
- Selecting the wrong FATCA status classification (Part I, Line 5)
- Not completing the required Part (Parts IV through XXVIII) based on the FATCA classification selected
- Using Form W-8BEN (for individuals) instead of W-8BEN-E for an entity
- Not providing the entity GIIN (Global Intermediary Identification Number) when required under FATCA
Frequently asked questions
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How long is Form W-8BEN-E valid?
Form W-8BEN-E is generally valid for 3 calendar years from the date of signing, expiring on December 31 of the third year. However, if any information on the form changes, you must submit a new form within 30 days of the change. Some FATCA classifications may have different validity periods.
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