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robbrown robbrown
 

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M$1.30  Funded By Mahalo ? |  October 27, 2009 02:13 PM

Does the W8-BEN form exist in languages other than English?

I can't find them, but due to the very nature of the form, one would think that the U.S. Government has translated them.
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ssmacd ssmacd
 
 October 28, 2009 12:45 AM
While the forms may not be provided by the IRS in other than English, the IRS specifically permits businesses to develop their own versions of the forms, as long as the correct information is gathered. The IRS rules specifically discuss translations: "You may develop and use a substitute form that is in a foreign language, provided that the substitute form also provides the English version of the statements and information otherwise required to be included on the substitute form."

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8.pdf
Source(s):
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8.pdf

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robbrown robbrown
 
October 28, 2009 12:51 AM
Hu... that's interesting. That might be really handy. I wonder if the IRS accepts the collection of this information completely online rather than using a form?

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ssmacd ssmacd
 
October 28, 2009 12:59 AM
The IRS has approved certain electronic W-8 systems-- but its up to companies to purchase them.

http://www.cticompliance.com/assets/pdf/CTI_Electronic_W-8.pdf

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wdawe wdawe
 
October 27, 2009 07:11 PM
Shawb has versions translated to Chinese and Spanish at http://www.schwab-global.com/public/schwab-gcb-en/what_we_offer/accounts_features/download_to_your_pc.html#W8 but I think they are for Shwab customers only.

Why would you expect the IRS to provide services and forms to foreigners in a language other than English?

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goldy goldy
 
October 28, 2009 12:15 AM
I would assume schwab would translate them back into english if the IRS requested the forms.

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philipy philipy
 
October 27, 2009 08:29 PM
It would seem not.

I used Google, specified results in French only and searched for "W8-BEN".

No official US sites were found, only mentions in places like this Canandian site, written in French...

http://www.tdwaterhouse.ca/fr/discountbrokerage/forms/forms.jsp?id=515874

.. which links to the English language form with the note "en anglais seulement". I guess if French speaking brokers can't find a form in French for their clients, such forms don't exist!

You'd think a country with the wealth and global connections of the US could run to translating a few docs aimed at foreigners, but apparenty not.

C'est la vie, mon ami! La vie Américaine. :)

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