DR Mpe said:
XanaduRanch - ever heard of the expression "things changes"... before it was very easy now it is not. If you are tired (subjects discussed to death), why spend your time by answering?
I answer because I do not want to see people taking as fact misinformation or opinions spread by folks who 'think' something to be the case. By the way 'you're welcome'. Second it's sort of my job. See the name tag at left.
Things have not changed. We opened a new account in that way no more than a month ago.
The law is the same. No SSN or TIN is required by the US Government. Many banks mistakenly believe they can not open an account without one. The TIN/SSN is collected so that they can show the government should it ask that they can withhold interest payments until taxes are paid on the interest. What most don't bother to look at, because most depositors are American taxable entities, is that those numbers are specifically NOT required as long as the file on your account contains proof that you are NOT required to pay taxes as in the case of a non-US resident who's account funds are not generated in the U.S.
Got it?
You decide who you want to listen to, and good luck with that. Some here on the board have an agenda of bashing the U.S. claiming things that just aren't true in order to steer depositors to other countries for whatever silly little reason. Many here like I, and Robert, and others though have been there and done that in opening non-resident U.S. accounts and don't need to 'guess' about how it works.
If you're smart you'll pay attention.
Tom (aka XR)
P.S.
It's a W8-BEN, and you can get a copy
here.