Why are withholding taxes on certain U.S. dividends higher than others?

US tax law requires the withholding of tax for non-US persons (non-resident aliens) at a rate of 30% on payments of US source stock dividends, short-term capital gain distributions and substitute payments in lieu. You may be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding if there is a treaty in effect between your country of tax residence and the US, and we are able to associate the payment with a valid Form W-8. Refer to…

U.S. persons holding securities issued by entities that are domiciled outside of the U.S., but which invest within the U.S. should pay particular attention to our tax withholding obligation in the event of a distribution by the issuer. These entities, which may include Canadian unit trusts, REITS, limited partnerships or other common shares, often distribute dividends and/or interest based on both the U.S. and non-U.S. sourced income. While U.S. persons reporting a valid taxpayer ID number on their Form W-9 are generally exempt from backup withholding on U.S. sourced income, the nature of the custodial arrangement for these particular securities is such that U.S persons may be subject to a withholding tax calculated at a fixed rate of 30% on that portion of the distribution associated with the US-sourced income. This is in addition to any withholding required to be applied to the non-U.S. sourced portion of the distribution as required by the relevant foreign taxing body…

In certain circumstances Federal income tax is required to be withheld on an IRA distribution at a rate of 10% if an election is not made at the time of your IRA distribution. You may elect to have no tax or a different amount withheld. If you roll over your employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan assets to an IRA account with us, the distribution may be subject to a mandatory withholding rate of 20%. Any amount not rolled over is subject to tax, and if you are under 59½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply. You must roll the entire distribution over, including the amount withheld, within 60 days for the rollover to be tax-free. Income tax is not withheld on a direct rollover…

In certain circumstances Federal income tax is required to be withheld on an IRA distribution at a rate of 10% if an election is not made at the time of your IRA distribution. You may elect to have no tax or a different amount withheld. If you roll over your employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan assets to an IRA account with us, the distribution may be subject to a mandatory withholding rate of 20%. Any amount not rolled over is subject to tax, and if you are under 59½, an additional 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply. You must roll the entire distribution over, including the amount withheld, within 60 days for the rollover to be tax-free. Income tax is not withheld on a direct rollover…