W-8BEN Withholding Tax Calculator
Without a valid W-8BEN, US payers withhold tax at the default 30% statutory rate. File the right form and your country’s tax treaty can cut that dramatically. See what a missing — or expired — form really costs you.
How the calculator works
- Choose your country of residence and the type of US-source income (dividends, interest, or royalties).
- Enter your annual US-source income in US dollars.
- The calculator compares the default 30% statutory withholding against your country’s tax-treaty rate, and shows how much more of your income you keep with a valid W-8BEN.
What a W-8BEN changes
A W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting) tells a US payer that you are a non-resident alien and lets you claim a reduced rate under an applicable US income tax treaty. Without it — or once an older form has lapsed — the payer must default to the 30% rate on US-source income.
Examples of treaty rates
- United Kingdom: 0% on dividends, interest, and royalties.
- Germany: 15% on dividends; 0% on interest and royalties.
- Australia: 15% on dividends, 10% on interest, 5% on royalties.
- Hong Kong: no US tax treaty — the default 30% rate applies.
Rates shown are typical statutory rates for educational estimates and can vary by ownership percentage and income type. Always confirm the precise treaty article for your situation.
Never let a form lapse again
TaxFlow tracks every W-8BEN you file and reminds you before it expires — so you never slip back to the 30% default.
This calculator provides a general educational estimate and is not tax advice; consult a qualified tax professional for your situation.