Completing a W-8BEN form (‘Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for US Tax Withholding and Reporting’) allows you to hold US shares within any account except a SIPP. It entitles you to a reduced tax rate in the US on your investments. If you haven't completed this form when you buy US shares for the first time, you'll be asked to do so.You can complete the W-8BEN form in the following ways:For most accounts, you can complete a W-8BEN form online.For a Junior account and Joint Dealing account, you'll need to complete our offline W-8BEN form. Before getting started, please read the W-8BEN form guidelines to help you complete it correctly.If you have a Bare Trust Dealing account or a Dealing account for a UK-registered pension scheme, you need to complete a different W-8BEN form. Please contact our Dealing Services team for more information by ringing 0345 54 32 600 or emailing dealingservices@ajbell.co.uk.Learn more about how to invest in US stocks from the UK.

What is a W-8BEN?

Completing a W-8BEN form (‘Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for US Tax Withholding and Reporting’) allows you to hold US shares within any account except a SIPP. It entitles you to a reduced tax rate in the US on your investments. If you haven't completed this form when you buy US shares for the first time, you'll be asked to do so.

You can complete the W-8BEN form in the following ways:

For most accounts, you can complete a W-8BEN form online.
For a Junior account and Joint Dealing account, you'll need to complete our offline W-8BEN form. Before getting started, please read the W-8BEN form guidelines to help you complete it correctly.
If you have a Bare Trust Dealing account or a Dealing account for a UK-registered pension scheme, you need to complete a different W-8BEN form. Please contact our Dealing Services team for more information by ringing 0345 54 32 600 or emailing dealingservices@ajbell.co.uk.

Learn more about how to invest in US stocks from the UK.

What is a W-8BEN?

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