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Investing in the United States (US)

If you want to invest in US stocks and shares you will be required to complete a W-8BEN form before you can begin trading. This will ensure the correct tax relief is applied on income paid from US stocks and shares.

We require all ISA and Investment Dealing Account customers who wish to trade in the US to complete the form and post back to us to ensure we have a wet signature to keep for our records. This is a compulsory process to be able to trade in the US. If you are a SIPP customer Alliance Trust Savings will complete a W-8BEN form on your behalf.

Risk warning

Tax rules may change in the future and taxation will depend on personal circumstances.

What is a W-8BEN form?

By completing this form, a non US person can claim exemption from paying tax on dividends and interest from shares traded in the US. The application approval process may take up to four working days.

Once signed, a W-8BEN form is valid for three calendar years after the year in which it is signed. A new form must be submitted when the existing one expires. Alliance Trust Savings will contact you prior to your expiry date to complete a new form.

To trade in US stock and shares with us, you must be a non-US person.

If you are a US person we will be unable to deal with your trade.

How do I complete a W-8BEN form?

We have created an example W-8BEN to help you get started.

W-8BEN Guide

Complete the following sections only:

The form has been automatically completed for you and you will just need to complete the sections which have been highlighted below. This will include your National Insurance number and your signature.

Part I

Line 1: Enter your full name if an individual.
Line 3: Tick one box only, ‘individual’ for individual accounts.
Line 4: Enter your permanent residence, i.e. your tax address. Do not enter the name of a financial institution, a post office box or an address used solely for mailing purposes.
Line 7: Enter your National Insurance number.

Part II

Line 9a: Enter your country of residence for tax purposes, i.e. United Kingdom.

Part IV

Sign and date the form yourself, leaving the ‘Capacity in which acting’ blank.

For further guidance on completing the W-8BEN form, please click here.

Once you have completed and signed the form and the Alliance Trust Savings registration form, please send it back to us at the address below and once we receive the form (which may take up to four days to process) you will be informed when you can invest US stocks and shares. One of our Client Services team will give you a courtesy call, or email to inform you, your account has been activated.

Alliance Trust Savings Limited
PO Box 164
8 West Marketgait
Dundee
DD1 9YP

If you have any queries please contact our Client Services team on 01382 573737 or email contact@alliancetrust.co.uk

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