what the fuck is a W8 form?
 

its all in the subject

its for taxes mate

i'm not american tho...

Then you would use a W8

If you were american you would use a W9.

Hope that helps.

in 4 years i haven't had to fill out a W8 form. so whats the purpose of it?

Since you're in Canada and I'm assuming you're getting paid by a US sponsor, you might be required to sign a W8. I work for a brokerage firm and right after 9/11 our compliance department had us pull all files for non-US accounts, review them and contact the clients to make sure their address, phone numbers and what not were still accurate.


I'm not insinuating that this is the case but play it safe and contact the company who sent it to you and also your accountant/tax preparer. They might just tell you to throw it out but one phone call now could save you 20 later. :)

i don't have an accountant. i contacted the company who's site says i need to fill out the W8 form.

still doesn't answer my question as to what the purpose is? no other sponsor mentioned a W8 form before.

can't answer that but here's the actual form:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw8imy.pdf