what is a w8 form

A W-8 form is a series of forms used by foreign individuals and entities to certify their country of residence for tax purposes when receiving income in the United States. The W-8 forms are required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect accurate taxpayer information for reporting purposes and to document the beneficial owners foreign status for tax withholding and reporting. There are different variations of the W-8 form, such as W-8BEN for individuals and W-8BEN-E for entities, each serving a specific purpose in verifying non-US taxpayer status. These forms are valid for the year in which they are signed and for three full calendar years after that. It is important to consult with a tax advisor to ensure the correct form is selected based on the individual or entitys specific circumstances.