EEasy Filing Hub

Tax & ID

Foreign Entity Status Certificate (Form W-8BEN-E)

Certify foreign entity status and claim tax treaty rates.

We'll guide you through it, step by step

  • ✓Simple questions in plain language — no legal jargon
  • ✓We fill in the official form and check for common mistakes
  • ✓Private — no document uploads

Free to start • No credit card • Official form

Not sure this is the right form? Take the free eligibility check

Estimated fee

No government fee

View official fee calculator ↗

Typical timeline

Submit before U.S. payment is issued

Category

Tax & ID

Who qualifies

Foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts, and organizations receiving U.S.-sourced income. Not for foreign individuals (use Form W-8BEN).

The step-by-step roadmap

  1. 1

    Identify Your Entity

    Enter your legal entity name, country of incorporation, and foreign tax identification number.

    Watch out: Ensure the legal name matches official company registry documents exactly.
    Common rejection reason: Mismatched business name or incorrect country of organization.
  2. 2

    Select Entity Classifications

    Determine your entity type under Chapter 3 and FATCA Chapter 4 tax classifications.

    Watch out: Selecting the incorrect FATCA classification is the most frequent reason forms are rejected.
    Common rejection reason: Conflicting classifications or missing required FATCA certification sections.
  3. 3

    Claim Tax Treaty Benefits

    State your tax treaty country, relevant treaty articles, and the reduced withholding tax rate.

    Watch out: You must meet Limitation on Benefits (LOB) provisions to qualify for reduced treaty withholding.
    Common rejection reason: Uncompleted LOB provisions or claiming treaty benefits without meeting eligibility rules.
  4. 4

    Sign and Deliver to Withholding Agent

    An authorized representative must sign and deliver the completed form directly to the payer.

    Watch out: Do not file this form with the IRS; submit it directly to your U.S. withholding agent.
    Common rejection reason: Signature by an unauthorized person or submitting an expired or outdated version.

Documents you'll need

  • Certificate of Incorporation or Formation

    Official company registration records showing legal name, structure, and home country.

    Note: Must match the legal entity name reported on line 1.

  • Foreign Tax Identification Number (FTIN)

    Official tax number issued to your business by your local government tax authority.

    Note: Mandatory unless your home country does not issue tax identification numbers.

  • U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

    Federal tax ID number issued by the IRS for foreign entities claiming specific treaty relief.

    Note: Only required for certain entity types or specific treaty positions.

Ready to start?

Run the free eligibility check first, then get your personalized roadmap and document checklist.

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Fees and timelines are as published by the relevant agency and may change — verify before filing. This guide is general information, not legal advice.