What Is IRS Form W-8BEN?
In one line: W-8BEN is how a non-US individual certifies they’re foreign when receiving certain US-source income.
You’ll see it when a US payer or platform (or their payment processor) needs tax paperwork before paying you. Examples: Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, AdSense, marketplaces, US clients.
What W-8BEN Does
- Confirms you are not a US person (for tax purposes)
- Helps the payer apply the correct withholding logic
- May support treaty-related handling (if applicable to your situation)
What W-8BEN Does NOT Do
- It is not a tax return
- It does not calculate your taxes
- It does not grant a visa, work permit, or authorization
WARNING: If filled incorrectly or inconsistently, platforms may delay payouts or apply default withholding. (We don’t give advice or guarantees — we check for obvious issues.)
Why Platforms Ask For It
- Compliance: they need documentation on file before paying you
- Risk control: mismatches trigger reviews, holds, or rejections
- Consistency: name/address/status must “line up” across systems
Common Confusion Points
- Using a nickname vs. legal name (platform account vs. passport name)
- Address formatting differences (permanent vs. mailing)
- Leaving required fields blank because they “seem optional”
- Signing/dating incorrectly (invalid certification)
- Treaty sections: people over-claim or under-complete them
Want the practical version? Read Avoid common mistakes or jump straight to Request Review.