📤 You're done! The requester handles it from here.
They'll keep your W-8BEN on file and use the information when withholding taxes on payments to you and reporting to the IRS (usually on Form 1042-S).

📨 How to submit it
However the requester asked for it — upload to their portal, email it back, or hand them a paper copy. If you're emailing, consider password-protecting the file since it contains sensitive information.

📁 Keep a copy for yourself.
Take a photo or save a copy. It's helpful to remember what you entered if questions come up later — and you'll need to renew in about three years.

🔄 Information changes? Submit a new W-8BEN.
If your name, address, citizenship, tax residence, or any other information changes, notify the withholding agent within 30 days and provide an updated W-8BEN.

⚠️ Changes that require a new form:
→ You move to a different country
→ You move to the United States (and might now be a U.S. person)
→ You become a U.S. citizen or resident alien
→ Your name changes
→ You no longer qualify for the treaty benefits you claimed

📬 What to expect:
At the end of the year (usually by March 15), the payer may send you a Form 1042-S showing:
→ How much U.S. source income you received
→ How much tax was withheld
→ The tax rate that was applied

Keep this form — you may need it to claim a foreign tax credit in your home country or to file a U.S. tax return if required.

✅ That's it — you're all set!
Next time someone asks for a W-8BEN, you'll know exactly what to do.

The 1042-S shows your U.S. income and the tax withheld. You may need it to: (1) claim a foreign tax credit on your home country tax return (to avoid double taxation), or (2) file a U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR) if required. Keep it with your tax records. Contact the withholding agent first — they may be able to issue a corrected 1042-S. If too much tax was withheld, you can file a U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR) to claim a refund. Maybe. If the correct amount of tax was withheld based on your W-8BEN, you generally don't need to file a U.S. return for that income alone. But if you have other U.S. source income, if you're claiming a refund, or if you're engaged in a U.S. trade or business, you may need to file Form 1040-NR. Consult a tax professional if you're unsure. Several possibilities: (1) Your W-8BEN wasn't received or processed in time, (2) there was an error on your form, (3) your country doesn't have a treaty with the U.S., or (4) the type of income isn't covered by the treaty. Contact the withholding agent to understand what happened. If you're entitled to a lower rate, you may be able to file for a refund. The withholding agent will start withholding at the 30% rate until you submit a new, valid W-8BEN. Your account may also be restricted. Most brokerages will send you reminders before your form expires, so watch for those emails!

W-8BEN Form

After You Submit

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