How are withholding taxes determined on dividends?

Dividends paid on U.S. stocks will be subject to withholding taxes for non-residents. A completed W8 form will allow for a reduced tax rate if a treaty exists between the United States and the holder's country of taxation; however a valid W8 only allows for a reduction in the tax rate not an elimination of the tax entirely…

Overview:

Virtually all countries apply withholding taxes when local companies seek to distribute dividends to externally based shareholders (whether those shareholders are corporate or not). The rate at which we are obligated to withhold for a given payment depends largely upon whether there is a tax treaty in place between the US and the country of residence of the dividend recipient…

Depending on which entity of Interactive Brokers your account is opened with, and your country of legal residence, IBKR might act as a withholding agent and apply the applicable treaty rates, or the tax might be applied by our clearing agent or depository prior to receipt. The clearing agent executes withholding on payments from issuers before it is received by Interactive Brokers. Interactive Brokers then delivers the funds to the respective parties. Withholding is often executed based on the nature of the entity holding the shares…

Foreign stocks listed for trading in Japan which issue dividends will have the cash dividend allocation subject to an increased withholding tax rate. The tax will vary based on the domicile of the stock issuing the dividend; however in general the withholding rate will be the highest withholding rate applicable and will not incorporate a reduction based on prevailing tax treaties…