What is a W-8BEN form and why do I need one?

Completing a W-8BEN form is mandatory if you wish to trade US shares as per the regulatory requirements set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Provided you aren’t a US tax payer, this allows us to ensure you receive reduced withholding tax rates on dividends.

The required form and steps differ for each account type and citizenship as shown below:

Individual account holders (Australian residents)

If you’re not a corporate client, joint account holder, a US citizen or resident of the US, you can simply complete your W-8BEN form online as follows:

Using a desktop or mobile device, go to IG.com and log in to My IG
Click on the ‘settings’ tab on desktop, or the ‘menu’ button on mobile
Select ‘trading US shares’
Complete the online form
Once completed successfully, your form status will change accordingly

Desktop:

Mobile:

Joint account holders (Australian residents)

In order to trade US stocks, each account holder needs to submit a physically signed W-8BEN form. Both account holders need to be primarily tax residents in the same country for the account to receive that country’s treaty rate of withholding tax on income.

Please print out, sign, and return a scanned copy to newaccounts.au@ig.com for processing. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

W-8BEN form(pdf)

For more information or assistance with filling out the form, you can visit the IRS’ website.

Corporate account holders (Australian entities)

In order to trade US stocks using a corporate or trust account, a W-8BEN-E form is required.

Print out, sign, and return a scanned copy to clientlifecycle.ao@ig.com for processing. Please note electronic signatures are not accepted.

W-8BEN-E form(pdf)

For more information or assistance with filling out your form, you can visit the IRS’ website.

For US citizens

In order to trade US stocks, a US citizen is required to complete a W-9 form. Note, IG only allows US citizens to buy US-incorporated stock as a CFD. We cannot offer US-incorporated stock to US citizens via share trading accounts.

Please print out, sign, and return a scanned copy to clientlifecycle.ao@ig.com for processing. Eelectronic signatures will not be accepted.

W-9 form(pdf)