Bank of America requesting SSN for non-resident alien - Form W-9 confusion

You're absolutely right to be cautious here. The W-9 form is specifically for US persons (citizens, resident aliens, etc.), and you should NOT fill this out if you're a non-resident alien. What you need instead is form W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner). The W-8BEN is specifically designed for non-US persons to certify their foreign status and claim treaty benefits if applicable. Bank of America is required by the IRS to have proper documentation for all account holders, which is why they're reaching out now - banks have been getting much stricter about tax documentation in recent years. Call Bank of America back and explain that you're a non-resident alien living permanently outside the US, and you need to complete a W-8BEN, not a W-9. You can reference your SSN on the W-8BEN form (there's a space for it), but you'll be properly identifying yourself as a non-US person.

Just went through something similar with my Chase account last year! I found this amazing service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out which form was appropriate for my situation as a former US student now living abroad. You can upload the W-9 form they sent you and it'll analyze whether it's the correct form for your situation. In my case, it confirmed I needed W-8BEN instead and explained exactly how to fill it out correctly to avoid future issues. The site also explained what parts of my SSN information I should include given my non-resident status, which was super helpful when dealing with the bank's confusion.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing this thread and it was incredibly helpful! My situation was similar - Canadian who worked in California for 2 years and still have a US bank account and some investments. The service identified that I needed both W-8BEN for my bank accounts AND W-8BEN-E for a small business investment I have. The document analysis saved me from making a serious mistake - I was about to submit a W-9 which would have classified all my income as US-sourced. It also highlighted that I qualified for reduced withholding rates based on the US-Canada tax treaty and showed me exactly where to note this on the forms. My bank accepted everything without question!

Hey there! I ran into this EXACT problem with Citibank last year. After multiple frustrating calls with them, I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which connected me directly to an IRS agent who explained the proper documentation for my situation. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent confirmed that as a non-resident alien with a past SSN, I needed to file form W-8BEN, NOT W-9, and that the bank was mistakenly requesting the wrong form. She explained that banks often default to requesting W-9s because most of their customers are US persons. Getting direct confirmation from the IRS gave me the confidence to push back on the bank's request and demand the correct form.

I take back what I said about Claimyr. After being frustrated with this thread, I decided to try it myself for an unrelated tax question that's been bothering me for months. I fully expected it to be a waste of money, but I was connected to an IRS representative within about 45 minutes (without having to stay on the phone myself). The agent was actually really helpful about my form requirements as a non-resident with US investments. She clarified that I needed to file W-8BEN for my brokerage accounts but also needed to file a 1040-NR for some specific US-sourced income I had last year. None of my previous calls to the IRS general line ever went through - I would hang up after 2+ hours on hold. This service actually delivered exactly what it promised.

One important thing to remember about your SSN - having one doesn't automatically make you a US person for tax purposes. Your tax residency status is what matters. If you're not a US citizen or green card holder, and you don't meet the substantial presence test (basically not spending significant time in the US), then you're considered a non-resident alien. Don't let the bank pressure you into filing a W-9 just because it's easier for them. Filing the wrong form could potentially flag your account in the IRS systems as being a US person who needs to file annual tax returns. Stick to your guns about needing a W-8BEN instead.

something to watch out for - i accidentally signed a W-9 for my US acct after moving back to australia and had a huge headache with the IRS sending me letters saying i needed to file tax returns!!! took almost a year to clear up. definitely use the W-8BEN like others have said. the banks rarely understand international tax stuff.

This is a really common issue that many former international students face! I went through something very similar with Wells Fargo a few years ago. The key thing to understand is that banks often don't have staff who are well-trained on the distinction between different tax forms for non-residents. When you call back, be very clear and persistent: "I am a non-resident alien living permanently outside the United States. I need to complete form W-8BEN, not W-9. The W-9 is only for US persons, which I am not." You might need to escalate to a supervisor or their international banking department. Also, keep in mind that once you submit the correct W-8BEN form, the bank will likely withhold 30% tax on any interest earned (unless your home country has a tax treaty with the US that reduces this rate). This is normal for non-resident accounts and much better than accidentally being classified as a US person for tax purposes. Don't let them pressure you into the wrong form just because it's easier for their system!

I've been dealing with a very similar situation with my TD Bank account after moving back to the UK. The confusion around W-9 vs W-8BEN is incredibly common, and banks often default to requesting W-9s because it's what they're most familiar with. Here's what worked for me: I called and specifically asked to speak with someone in their "international accounts" or "non-resident banking" department. Regular customer service reps often aren't trained on these distinctions. When I explained that I was a non-resident alien who needed to file W-8BEN instead of W-9, they knew exactly what I was talking about and sent me the correct form immediately. Also worth noting - make sure you have documentation of your current foreign address ready when you call. They'll need to verify your non-resident status, and having utility bills or bank statements from your home country can help speed up the process. The W-8BEN will properly classify you as a non-resident alien and allow you to claim any applicable tax treaty benefits between your home country and the US. Much better than accidentally being classified as a US person who needs to file annual returns!