The IRS released the final version of Form W-8BEN-E,
"Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States
Tax Withholding and Reporting (Entities)" on March 29. This
final version reflects revised documentation and reporting
requirements imposed under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA). The final version is eight pages and consists of 30 parts,
but the IRS has yet to release instructions for the form.
Pursuant to the FATCA regulations, a withholding agent may
continue to accept the prior version of the Form W-8BEN until
August 2014 (unless the IRS issues guidance that indicates
otherwise) and may continue to rely on a previously signed prior
version of the Form W-8BEN until its period of validity expires.
However, given that FATCA withholding begins on July 1, 2014, a
withholding agent may want to use the form beginning on July 1,
2014.
