Potential customer requesting W8-BEN form before purchase

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1

Hi,

We recently got an interesting pre-purchase request. The potential customer wants a copy of our W8-BEN form (originally wanted the W9, but we are non US authors) for whatever reason. Is it safe to give a copy of it? Isn’t the W8 form confidential? Is this a normal procedure for US businesses?

Any advice is appreciated.

Best,
Ernest M.

2

I dont think this is a normal procedure that document is something between you and the IRS.

Have you asked them why?

3

Not yet, currently they only sent one email asking for W9, to which we replied we are non-us based business. Then they asked if we have a foreign tax number and a W8-BEN which we can send.

4

Well, foreign tax number i understand they need it, but the w8 i dont. But i am not an expert in this.
I hope any other can help with this.