Tax on dividends from american held shares?

[flobadob]

I've got a few shares that trade on the American stock market. When I log onto the website for the broker there is a form that mentions taxes for US and non-US in relation to dividend payments. I've never filled it in and so far I am receiving the dividends. However, could I be paying too much tax and is it necessary to fill it in. I think the form is called W8 or something along those lines.

[dancecaller]

I'd like to know that, too. I had Cadbury's share before the Dr Pepper split and Kraft takeover.
I'm sure we filled in the forms but we still pay withholding tax.

[twix123]

Under the UK/US Double Taxation Treaty, your liability to pay UK Tax on any US dividend received will be partially offset by the amount of US Withholding Tax deducted from the dividend at source. The following link will lead to details of the relevant Treaty:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/si/double.htm

I think that you may be entitled to complete form W8-BEN, up to question 9a, although without seeing the instructions, I cannot advise what, if anything, you need to enter for question 10.