How to Complete Your IRS Form W-8BEN
A short, plain-language guide
The W-8BEN is a U.S. tax form, and we are required to keep one on file for every non-U.S. contractor before your first payment. It is simple, takes a few minutes, and does not mean you owe U.S. taxes.
In fact it tells the U.S. government the opposite: that you are not a U.S. person, so no U.S. taxes are taken from your pay. You remain responsible only for your own taxes in the Philippines.
Get the official form
Download the current form directly from the IRS. We cannot give you a modified version, because the IRS only accepts their official copy.
Search for "IRS Form W-8BEN" or go to the IRS website (irs.gov) and find Form W-8BEN, titled "Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting." Download the PDF.
Make sure it is the W-8BEN for individuals, not the W-8BEN-E, which is for companies.
Fill in Part I (about you)
- Line 1, Name: Your full legal name.
- Line 2, Country of citizenship: Philippines.
- Line 3, Permanent residence address: Your home address in the Philippines. Do not use a P.O. box or a "care of" address.
- Line 4, Mailing address: Only if different from Line 3. Otherwise leave it blank.
- Line 5, U.S. taxpayer ID (SSN or ITIN): Leave blank. You do not have one and do not need one.
- Line 6, Foreign tax identifying number: Your Philippine TIN.
- Line 7: Leave blank.
- Line 8, Date of birth: Use the format MM-DD-YYYY.
Part II (tax treaty)
You can leave Part II blank. It is for claiming reduced U.S. tax under a treaty on certain income types, which does not apply to your contractor pay. Skip it unless an accountant specifically tells you otherwise.
Part III (sign and date)
- Sign your name.
- Print your name.
- Enter the date.
- Where it asks about capacity, you are signing for yourself, so leave it blank or write "Self."
By signing, you certify that the information is correct and that you are not a U.S. person. That is all it does.
Send it to us, not to the IRS
Do not mail this to the IRS. You give the completed form to Abliven by uploading it with your other onboarding documents.
Quick answers
- Does this mean I pay U.S. taxes?
- No. It confirms you are not a U.S. person, so no U.S. taxes are withheld. You handle your own Philippine taxes.
- Do I need a U.S. Social Security Number?
- No. Leave that line blank and use your Philippine TIN on Line 6.
- Does it expire?
- Generally it stays valid for the year you sign plus the next three calendar years, unless your information changes. We may ask you to refresh it later.
- What if I make a mistake?
- Just fill out a fresh copy. Do not cross out or correct the old one.
This guide is general information to help you complete a U.S. government form and is not tax or legal advice. For personal tax questions, consult a qualified accountant.