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Anchorage Digital collects and certifies your tax information using IRS Forms W-8 and W-9. Your answers determine which specific tax certification you complete (W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or W-8IMY). To learn more, review the IRS instructions.
Anchorage Digital does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

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Why we collect tax information

We’re required by US tax law to collect certain details to verify your tax status. This helps us report payments correctly to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and determine whether any tax withholding applies.Providing accurate information helps ensure your payments are processed smoothly and without unnecessary withholding.
The tax details you provide cover payments and income made to you or your organization that must be reported to the IRS, including:
  • Trading activity, proceeds, and cost basis
  • Cost basis data for deposits
  • Staking rewards
  • Airdrops
  • Stablecoin rewards (e.g., PYUSD, USDG, USDT)
US law requires you to confirm your taxpayer identification number and tax status. Certifying confirms that you (or your account) are the beneficial owner of the income or proceeds and establishes your tax status under US law, so Anchorage Digital can report payments correctly to the IRS and apply the correct withholding.
If your information is incomplete or incorrect, we may be required by the IRS to apply backup withholding to payments we make to you.Incorrect or missing information can also delay your payments until the issue is resolved. Providing accurate details ensures the form is complete and can be certified properly.

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Choosing your form and account type

You don’t pick the form directly. The questionnaire first asks whether you’re an individual and whether you’re a US person, then selects the right form:
  • US person → Form W-9
  • Non-US individual → Form W-8BEN
  • Non-US entity → Form W-8BEN-E
  • Non-US intermediary or flow-through entity → Form W-8IMY
You’ll also be asked which best represents your account type — Individual, Entity, or Intermediary — which shapes the questions that follow.
It means the individual identified on the form isn’t a US citizen, US resident alien, or domestic entity. This certification ensures that payments are treated under the rules for foreign persons, which affects withholding and reporting.
The form asks you to classify yourself under US tax rules so the correct form and certifications apply.If you’re a US filer:
  • Individual
  • Sole proprietor — Someone who owns an unincorporated business by themselves.
  • Limited liability company — A state-registered business structure. If you select this, you’ll then select the LLC’s classification: C corporation, S corporation, or partnership.
  • Single-member limited liability company — An SMLLC is an LLC with a single owner, and isn’t treated as separate from its owner for US tax purposes unless an election has been made.
  • C corporation — A standard, independent legal entity owned by shareholders.
  • S corporation — A special corporation passing profits directly to owners.
  • Partnership — An unincorporated business co-owned by two or more people.
  • Trust/estate — A legal arrangement holding assets for named beneficiaries.
  • Disregarded entity — An entity that isn’t separate from its owner for US tax purposes, unless an election has been made.
  • Other — Any other type of US entity not listed above. If you select this, describe your entity.
If you’re a non-US entity or intermediary:As an entity:
  • Corporation — A company organized as a corporation under local law.
  • Complex trust — A trust that may accumulate income, distribute to beneficiaries, or make charitable contributions.
  • Tax exempt organization — An organization exempt from tax under local law.
  • Private foundation — A non-governmental, non-profit organization funded and controlled privately.
  • International organization — A recognized multinational organization (e.g., United Nations, World Bank).
  • Central bank of issue — A foreign central bank that issues currency.
  • Foreign government controlled entity — A company owned or controlled by a foreign government.
  • Foreign government integral part — A department or agency that’s an integral part of a foreign government.
  • Estate — An arrangement managing assets of a deceased person.
  • Disregarded entity — An entity treated as part of its owner for tax purposes. If you select this, provide its name.
As an intermediary:
  • Qualified intermediary — A non-US financial institution or foreign branch with a formal withholding agreement with the IRS.
  • Nonqualified intermediary — A foreign financial institution or person acting as an intermediary without a QI agreement with the IRS.
  • Territory financial institution — A financial institution incorporated or organized under the laws of a US territory (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands).
  • US branch — A domestic office or branch operated within the United States by a foreign bank or foreign insurance company.
  • Withholding foreign partnership — A foreign partnership with a direct withholding agreement with the IRS.
  • Withholding foreign trust — A foreign trust with a direct withholding agreement with the IRS.
  • Nonwithholding foreign partnership — A foreign partnership without a withholding agreement with the IRS.
  • Nonwithholding foreign simple trust — A foreign trust required by its terms to distribute all of its annual income currently, and that lacks an IRS withholding agreement.
  • Nonwithholding foreign grantor trust — A foreign trust where the grantor retains control over the assets, and that lacks an IRS withholding agreement.
If you’re not sure whether your account qualifies, confirm this detail with your Legal or Finance team.

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Backup withholding and exemptions for US filers

Backup withholding is a 24% withholding on certain payments that the IRS may require if a taxpayer fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or has otherwise underreported. By certifying that you’re not subject to backup withholding, you confirm that the IRS hasn’t notified you that withholding should apply.
The exempt payee code applies if you’re a US payee exempt from backup withholding. Exempt payees include:
  1. An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2).
  2. The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
  3. A state, the District of Columbia, a US commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
  4. A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.
  5. A corporation.
  6. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a US commonwealth or territory.
  7. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
  8. A real estate investment trust.
  9. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
  10. A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
  11. A financial institution as defined under section 581.
  12. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
  13. A trust exempt from tax under section 664, or described in section 4947.
If you’re not sure whether your account qualifies, confirm this detail with your Legal or Finance team.
This field applies if you’re claiming exemption from FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) reporting. FATCA exemption codes include:
  • A — An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37).
  • B — The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
  • C — A state, the District of Columbia, a US commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
  • D — A corporation whose stock is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).
  • E — A corporation that’s a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).
  • F — A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state.
  • G — A real estate investment trust.
  • H — A regulated investment company as defined in section 851, or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
  • I — A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a).
  • J — A bank as defined in section 581.
  • K — A broker.
  • L — A trust exempt from tax under section 664, or described in section 4947(a)(1).
  • M — A tax-exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan.

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FATCA classification for non-US filers

Your FATCA entity type identifies your organization under the FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) rules. It helps determine whether and how we report payments to the IRS. FATCA entity types include:
  • Exempt beneficial owners — Entities generally exempt from FATCA, including foreign governments, central banks, and certain retirement funds or international organizations.
  • Foreign financial institutions (FFIs) — Non-US entities that hold financial accounts or act as financial intermediaries, such as banks, investment funds, or custodians.
  • Non-financial foreign entities (NFFEs) — Non-US entities that aren’t financial institutions, typically operating businesses engaged in trade, manufacturing, or services.
  • Other statuses — Accounts that aren’t considered financial accounts for FATCA purposes, and don’t fall into the FFI, NFFE, or exempt categories.
If you’re unsure how your organization is classified, confirm this detail with your Legal or Finance team.
FATCA status describes your account’s reporting obligations under FATCA. The options available depend on the FATCA entity type you selected.If your account is an exempt beneficial owner:
  • Entity wholly owned by exempt beneficial owners — Owned entirely by governments, international organizations, or exempt retirement funds.
  • Exempt retirement plan — A pension or retirement plan exempt from FATCA reporting.
  • Foreign government / US possession / central bank of issue — Accounts owned by governments, central banks, or US territories.
  • International organization — A recognized multinational organization (e.g., United Nations, World Bank).
If your account is a foreign financial institution (FFI):
  • Certified deemed-compliant investment advisers/managers — Investment managers that meet specific FATCA compliance criteria.
  • Certified deemed-compliant limited-life debt investment entity — Investment entities with limited-life debt structures that qualify for special FATCA status.
  • Certified deemed-compliant local bank — Local banks that meet FATCA compliance requirements.
  • Certified deemed-compliant low-value accounts — Financial institutions managing only small accounts that qualify for simplified FATCA treatment.
  • Certified deemed-compliant sponsored, closely held investment vehicle — Investment vehicles sponsored by another entity that qualifies as deemed-compliant.
  • Excepted inter-affiliate — FFI accounts among related entities that meet FATCA exceptions.
  • Non-participating — FFIs that don’t comply with FATCA.
  • Non-reporting IGA — FFIs that don’t report under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).
  • Owner-documented — FFIs that rely on documentation of account holders for FATCA compliance.
  • Participating — FFIs actively complying with FATCA reporting requirements.
  • Registered deemed-compliant (other than model 1) — Other FFIs meeting deemed-compliant criteria and registered with the IRS.
  • Reporting model 1 — FFIs reporting under FATCA Model 1 IGA agreements.
  • Reporting model 2 — FFIs reporting under FATCA Model 2 IGA agreements.
  • Restricted distributor — FFIs distributing financial products under certain FATCA restrictions.
  • Sponsored (without GIIN) — FFIs sponsored by another entity but without a Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN).
  • Territory financial institution — FFIs based in US territories.
If your account is a non-financial foreign entity (NFFE):
  • 501(c) organization — Non-US equivalent of a US tax-exempt nonprofit.
  • Active — An NFFE actively conducting business (not primarily earning passive income).
  • Direct reporting — An NFFE reporting directly to the IRS for FATCA purposes.
  • Excepted nonfinancial entity in liquidation or bankruptcy — NFFEs in liquidation or bankruptcy that qualify for FATCA exceptions.
  • Excepted nonfinancial group entity — Part of a nonfinancial group meeting FATCA exceptions.
  • Excepted nonfinancial start-up company — Newly formed NFFEs qualifying for FATCA exceptions.
  • Excepted territory — NFFEs in US territories qualifying for FATCA exceptions.
  • Nonprofit organization — NFFEs that operate as nonprofits under local law.
  • Passive — NFFEs earning primarily passive income (e.g., dividends, interest).
  • Publicly traded or affiliate of a publicly traded corporation — NFFEs traded on public markets or controlled by a publicly traded company.
  • Sponsored direct reporting — NFFEs reporting through a sponsoring entity.
If you’re unsure how your account is classified, confirm this detail with your Legal or Finance team.
A GIIN (Global Intermediary Identification Number) is a unique number the IRS assigns to financial institutions that register under FATCA. You’ll need it if your organization is a foreign financial institution (FFI) required to report under FATCA.A GIIN is only valid for:
  • Participating FFIs
  • Reporting Model 1 FFIs
  • Reporting Model 2 FFIs
  • Registered deemed-compliant FFIs (other than Model 1)
You can find your GIIN on the IRS FATCA FFI list, in your organization’s FATCA registration documents, or by contacting your Legal or Finance team. If your account isn’t one of these FFIs, you won’t have a GIIN.

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Treaty benefits and keeping your form current

If your country has an income tax treaty with the US, you may be able to claim a reduced withholding rate. The form asks whether you’re eligible, then collects:
  • Treaty country
  • Type of income — Business profits, royalties (other copyright), or independent personal services
  • Withholding rate and treaty article/paragraph
  • Limitation on benefits (LOB) provision — e.g., government; tax-exempt pension trust or fund; publicly traded corporation; company meeting the ownership and base-erosion test; and others
If you’re not claiming a treaty benefit, you can proceed without making a claim.
By submitting, you agree to submit a new form within 30 days if any certification becomes incorrect, and, where applicable, to notify us of a change in circumstances affecting your tax residency.A submitted form can also stop being reliable and require resubmission. Common reasons include US indicia on a W-8 (a US address, US place of birth, or US phone number), a US permanent address on a W-8, a PO box or care-of address used as a permanent address, an expired W-8 (its reliability lapses at the end of the third calendar year after signing), or a change in circumstances.
  • Tax center — Supply cost basis information, manage tax documents, and certify tax information
  • Reporting — View statements and download balance and transaction reports

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