Sharing this as I've just discovered in case people don't know

On computershare you can submit the W-8BEN form where they have prepopulated the information for you. You just need to print, sign and email it back.

Makes it easier for those wanting to invest in US domiciled ETFs like VTS or VEU

Link below:

https://au.digital.computershare.com/InvestorServices/Produce/Wizard/1e38ceb0-3590-4c14-b132-88d6ee1b11d2/?WizardMode=1

I’m seeing multiple posts a day asking about creating a Computershare account and completing W8-BEN information for Canadians. This seems to be the most efficient process to set up an account to gain access & control over your newly registered shares. This system can gain you full access to your CS account within 2-3 days of receiving your first piece of mail from CS.

In an effort to have a more clear and concise guide for those with questions I’m creating this post as a basic guideline through my own experience.

There is no longer any need to send any mail to CS to set up your account or complete the W8-BEN

-Stage 1: You have contacted your brokerage and initiated the DRS transfer. Once your shares have been sent to CS they will mail you your account information and W8-BEN paperwork.

You do NOT need to mail the W8-BEN back to CS to gain access to your account. This form can be completed online in 2 mins once your account is fully verified.

-Stage 2: You receive your first piece of mail from CS and now can set up your account using the supplied account information. After this is completed you will require a verification code in order to gain access into your newly created account. In the past this was mailed to you (and still can be). However if you CALL CS and provide your credit card info for about 30$ Canadian you can request the verification code be expedited through email. Mine code was emailed to me in less than 24 hours.

I also received my code by mail within 3 business days of my call. My assumption is when you request the expedited code they can/will send it both ways

-Stage 3: Once your code has been received you can now gain full access to your newly created account. From here you can complete your W8-BEN info using your Canadian SIN#.

-Stage 4: Crank a few beers and relax knowing that your shares are safe and you have full access to your CS account without having to watch your mailbox or remember how to fill out a return address on a letter.

Cheers ! Hope this guide can help those who are still considering DRS.

I have been entering W-8BEN form online at Computershare gives error / does not work.I have tried many times for last few days, gives something like http 500 error and the message of" Your page has timed out. Please re-enter your search request.We regret that this service is temporarily unavailable. We appreciate your patience and shall attempt to restore service as soon as possible. Please try again later."

Any ape successful in entering the tax form online ?

EDIT: Got message from friendly ape u/HugeStonkSimon with the simple solution !
Go to Profile-User Preferences and set the Regional Settings to your country and bingo all works.
But beware non US apes, do not enter Wise (or another US bank info) into your profile, as that will delay/stop/problem in the validation of the W-8BEN / tax stuff.

That's it, just letting anyone concerned about how to renew it and was worried about navigating the Computershare site, no need, they mail it to us so we don't forget :) but you can also just go to the Tax details section of your Profile and update it now and then no need to post, it took 30 seconds. My status went from Expiring in December to Certified. Anyway, hope this helps some regards also not sure on if this is stickied anywhere but it's the how to do from GMEMate https://www.reddit.com/r/GMEmate/comments/t92igq/irs_instructions_for_completing_w8ben/

I’ve looked everywhere on the app, in my emails, and through my mail and I can’t seem to find any statements yet. I just started to buy Walmart stock like 2-3 months ago so is that why I don’t have a statement yet? Someone please help I need to give one to my landlord😅

Found this in the official document help.

"Expiration of Form W-8BEN. Generally, a Form W-8BEN will remain in effect for purposes of establishing foreign status for a period starting on the date the form is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year, unless a change in circumstances makes any information on the form incorrect. For example, a Form W-8BEN signed on September 30, 2015, remains valid through December 31, 2018."

So on that basis if you signed the form in 2021 it expires 31/12/24, so I'm good for another 6 months.

Whilst searching for the info above I came across this on the fidelity.co.uk site (I'm not with fidelity, I have small portion of shares with Halifax and the rest in Computershare)...

"If your W-8BEN form becomes invalid we will have to sell any US shares you hold and deposit the proceeds as cash in your account."

That scared the life out of me and I will certainly be keeping an eye out towards the end of the year