The W-8BEN Form is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America with the purpose of allowing non-US persons to benefit from a reduced rate of taxation on dividends and coupons paid by US companies. If you wish to invest in US securities, you will have to provide us with a duly signed W-8BEN form. The W-8BEN form is valid for three calendar years after the year in which it was signed and submitted to IRS. A new form must be submitted when the existing one expires or if there is a change in circumstances making any information on the form incorrect.