Fixing Errors on Your W-8BEN(E)

Important Notice
The following is for informational purposes only. We do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. You are responsible for your own compliance with U.S. tax laws. If you have questions after reviewing IRS guidance, please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting advisor before completing any U.S. tax form.

Which form do I need?

• If you are not a “United States Person”, you’ll complete:

  • W-8BEN → if you file taxes as an individual

  • W-8BEN-E → if you file taxes as a business

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

1. Invalid or Missing TIN

The most frequent error is an invalid or missing Tax Identification Number (TIN).

• A TIN (sometimes shown as FTIN in Trolley) is the number you use to file taxes in your country.

• Without a valid TIN, your form will not be approved.

What not to do

• Don’t enter a random number—Trolley verifies all TINs.

• Don’t check the box “I will not or am unable to provide a Tax Identification Number” unless you are certain it applies (see below).

Examples of TINs

• UK: NINO (individual) or UTR (business)

• Canada: SIN (individual) or BN (business)

👉 Check the OECD TIN guide for your country’s rules.

2. No TIN Issued in Your Country

Some countries:

• Do not issue TINs at all (e.g., United Arab Emirates)

• Do not issue them automatically (e.g., Serbia)

In these cases, check the box “I will not or am unable to provide a Tax Identification Number.”

3. Country/TIN Mismatch

Your TIN must match the country listed on your form.

Example:

• A British national living in Canada submits a Canadian address with a British TIN → will not be approved.

If your country and TIN don’t align, consult a local tax professional.

4. Other Common Errors

• U.S. Persons must always complete a W-9, not a W-8BEN(E), regardless of residency. (IRS definition of “U.S. Person”).

• Using the wrong form type:

  • Individual → W-8BEN

  • Business → W-8BEN-E

• Businesses misclassifying their entity type. Pay attention to dropdown selections:

  • Type of Entity (e.g., Corporation)

  • Beneficial owner derives the item(s) of income… (e.g., “Company that meets the ownership and base erosion test”)

Next Steps

• Double-check your details using the guidance above.

• If you are still unsure, please consult a tax professional in your country.