Form 8957 - Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Registration

Instructions for Form 8957

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

(August 2013)

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Registration
Section references are to the Internal Revenue
Code unless otherwise noted.

What's New
Delayed implementation date of
FATCA. Notice 2013-43 provides a
revised timeline and other guidance
regarding the implementation of FATCA
and an extension of the time for Qualified
Intermediaries, Withholding Foreign
Partnerships and Withholding Foreign
Trusts to renew expiring agreements. The
Notice may be found at www.irs.gov/fatca.
Instructions to Form 8957. Please read
the instructions to Form 8957, FATCA
Registration, thoroughly before you begin
to complete the registration form, as they
provide needed details on how to answer
each question on the Form. FIs should not
mail the paper form to the IRS service
center identified below before January 1,
2014. The IRS will not be in a position to
accept and process these forms before
that date.
Online Registration. Instead of using
the paper Form 8957 to submit your
FATCA registration, financial institutions
(FIs) are encouraged to register
electronically via the FATCA registration
website. The FATCA registration website
is a secure system that enables FIs to
register online from anywhere in the world
without the need to print, complete, and
mail paper forms. The website is projected
to be accessible to FIs on August 19,
2013, at the following address:
www.irs.gov/fatca.
For the period from the opening of the
FATCA registration website through
December 31, 2013, an FI will be able to
access its online account to modify or add
registration information, including its
appropriate registration status as such
status is established or modified, for
example, by the signing of an
intergovernmental agreement (IGA). Prior
to January 1, 2014, however, any
information entered into the system, even
if submitted as final by the website user,
will not be regarded as a final submission,
but will merely be stored until the
information is submitted as final on or after
January 1, 2014. Thus, FIs can use the
remainder of 2013 to become familiar with
the FATCA registration website, to input
preliminary information, and to refine that
information. On or after January 1, 2014,
each FI will be expected to finalize its
registration information by logging into its
online account on the FATCA registration
Aug 16, 2013

website, making any necessary additional
changes, and submitting the information
as final.
GIINs. As registrations are finalized and
approved in 2014, registering FIs will
receive a notice of registration acceptance
and will be issued a global intermediary
identification number (GIIN). The IRS will
electronically post the first IRS FFI List by
June 2, 2014, and will update the list on a
monthly basis thereafter. To ensure
inclusion in the June 2014 IRS FFI List, an
FI will need to finalize its registration by
April 25, 2014.

Future Developments

In the future, additional information about
the registration process may be posted at
www.irs.gov/fatca. For example, at the
appropriate time, information on how a
sponsoring entity can register a sponsored
financial institution will be available at this
web address.

General Instructions
Purpose of Form

Form 8957 is used by an FI to register
itself and its branches, if any, as a
participating foreign financial institution
(PFFI), a registered deemed-compliant
foreign financial institution (RDCFFI), a
limited foreign financial institution (Limited
FFI), a limited branch (Limited Branch), or
a sponsoring entity (Sponsoring Entity). It
is also used by an FI to renew its Qualified
Intermediary (QI), Withholding Foreign
Partnership (WP), or Withholding Foreign
Trust (WT) Agreement, if applicable. In
connection with its FATCA registration, an
FI (other than a Limited FFI, or Limited
Branch) or a U.S. financial institution
(USFI) acting as a Lead FI or Sponsoring
Entity will be issued a GIIN and will be
identified on the IRS FFI List. The first IRS
FFI List will be posted electronically by
June 2, 2014, and will be updated monthly
thereafter.

How To Register
Online registration. The FATCA
registration website is a secure
web-based system that enables FIs to
register electronically from anywhere in
the world without the need to print,
complete and mail paper forms. FIs are
encouraged to register online at
www.irs.gov/fatca.

Cat. No. 59561K

Paper registration. FIs should not mail
Form 8957 prior to January 1, 2014. The
IRS will not be in a position to accept and
process these forms before that date. FIs
that choose to register using the paper
form must mail Form 8957 and all required
attachments to:
Internal Revenue Service
FATCA, Stop 6099 AUSC
3651 South IH 35
Austin, Texas 78741
If an FI chooses to file a paper registration
form, the IRS will establish an online
FATCA account for the FI and provide the
FI with information on how to access the
online FATCA account to view, manage,
and edit its FATCA information.
Additionally, for FIs that register for PFFI
or RDCFFI status using the paper form,
once that registration has been approved,
a GIIN will be assigned and posted to the
FI’s online FATCA account. If the paper
FATCA registration form is incomplete, the
FI will be contacted by mail to provide
additional information necessary for the
IRS to process the registration form and
establish the FI’s online account.

Who Is Eligible
To Register

The following entities are eligible to
register (on behalf of themselves and their
branches) for the specific purposes
described below, as well as to obtain a
GIIN (unless the entity is a Limited FFI or
Limited Branch).
For an FFI, or foreign branch of an
FFI or USFI, that is treated as a
Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA — to
authorize one or more points of contact to
receive information related to registration
on the FI’s behalf.
For an FFI, or foreign branch of an
FFI that is treated as a Reporting FI
under a Model 2 IGA:
— To authorize one or more points of
contact to receive information related
to registration on the FI's behalf, and
— To confirm that it will comply with
the terms of an FFI Agreement, as
modified by the applicable Model 2
IGA.
For an FFI, or branch of an FFI, other
than one covered by an IGA:
— To enter into an FFI Agreement to
be treated as a PFFI,
— To agree to meet the requirements
to be treated as a RDCFFI, or

— To confirm that it will comply with
the terms applicable to a Limited FFI
or a Limited Branch.
For an FI seeking to act as a
Sponsoring Entity — to agree to perform
the due diligence, reporting and
withholding responsibilities on behalf of
one or more sponsored FFIs.
For an FI, including a foreign branch
of a USFI, currently acting as a QI, WP,
or WT — to renew its QI, WP, or WT
Agreement.
For a USFI wishing to act as a Lead
FI for purposes of registering its
Member FIs — to identify itself as such.
A foreign branch of a USFI located
in a Model 2 IGA jurisdiction does not
need to register unless such foreign
branch needs to renew its QI, WP, or WT
Agreement.

Before Completing
Form 8957

There are four parts to the FATCA
registration form. An FI will need to
complete only the relevant parts of the
form for the particular type of registration
requested.
Part 1 must be completed by all FIs to
provide basic identifying information.
Part 2 should be completed only by a
Lead FI and must be completed via the
FATCA registration website. A Lead FI will
identify in Part 2 each Member FI for
which it is acting as a Lead FI and that is
treated as a PFFI (including a Reporting FI
under a Model 2 IGA), RDCFFI (including
a Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA), or
Limited FFI. Additionally, for purposes of
registration, a Member FI may include a
foreign branch of a USFI that is registering
to obtain a GIIN or to renew its QI
Agreement.
Part 3 should be completed only by an
FI, including a foreign branch of a USFI,
currently acting as a QI, WP, or WT that
wishes to renew its respective agreement.
Note: Part 3 should be completed only by
an FI currently acting as a QI, WP, or WT
and currently using an issued Employer
Identification Number (EIN) to establish its
applicable status. An FI that would like to
apply to become a first-time QI, WP, or
WT cannot do so using the paper Form
8957 or the FATCA registration website.
Instead, the FI must complete Form 14345
in accordance with its instructions. It is
advisable, but not required, for an FI
applying for first-time QI, WP, or WT
status do so before it submits its FATCA
registration form. For more information
about QI, WP, or WT Agreements, go to
www.irs.gov/fatca.
Part 4 must be completed by all FIs and
requires an FI to certify that the
information provided in the FATCA

registration form is accurate and complete
and to agree or confirm that it will comply
with its FATCA obligations, if applicable, in
accordance with the status or statuses for
which it has registered itself or any of its
branches. An FI, including a Reporting FI
under a Model 1 or 2 IGA, that is
registering to renew its QI, WP, or WT
Agreement will be agreeing to the terms of
such renewed 2014 Model QI, WP, or WT
Agreements.
Reporting FIs under a Model 1 or 2
IGA: Most Reporting FIs under a Model 1
IGA are registering only to obtain a GIIN
and to authorize one or more POCs to
receive information related to FATCA
registration on behalf of the FI. Most
Reporting FIs under a Model 2 IGA are
registering only to obtain a GIIN, authorize
one or more POCs to receive information
related to FATCA registration on behalf of
the FI, and to confirm that they will comply
with the terms of an FFI Agreement as
modified by the applicable Model 2 IGA.
A Reporting FI operating one or more
branches not in an IGA jurisdiction is also
agreeing to the terms of an FFI Agreement
for any such branch, unless the branch is
treated as a Limited Branch. Additionally,
a Reporting FI requesting renewal of a QI,
WP or WT Agreement is agreeing to the
terms applicable to such renewed 2014
Model QI, WP, or WT Agreements.

Registration Definitions

For detailed information about definitions
that apply for purposes of FATCA
generally (Internal Revenue Code
sections 1471-1474), see Treas. Reg.
§1.1471-1. A Reporting FI under a Model
1 or 2 IGA should also refer to definitions
that may apply under that agreement or
apply pursuant to any applicable domestic
law pertaining to its FATCA obligations.
Solely for purposes of FATCA
registration, the following definitions are
provided to help guide FIs through the
process.

Compliance FI
A Compliance FI means a PFFI, Reporting
FI under a Model 1 or 2 IGA, or USFI that
agrees to establish and maintain a
consolidated compliance program and to
perform a consolidated periodic review on
behalf of one or more Member FIs that are
part of its EAG (the compliance group). A
Compliance FI must meet the
requirements to register as a Lead FI, and
as part of that registration, it must identify
each Member FI that is included in its
compliance group. A Compliance FI must
also have the authority to terminate the
FATCA status of each Member FI within
its compliance group.

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Exempt Beneficial Owner
Exempt Beneficial Owner means an entity
described in Treas. Reg. §1.1471-6 as: (1)
a foreign government, a political
subdivision of a foreign government, or a
wholly owned agency or instrumentality of
any one or more of the foregoing; (2) an
international organization or a wholly
owned agency or instrumentality thereof;
(3) a foreign central bank of issue; (4) a
government of a U.S. Territory; (5) a
treaty-qualified retirement fund; (6) a
broad participation retirement fund; (7) a
narrow participation retirement fund; (8) a
fund formed pursuant to a plan similar to a
section 401(a) plan; (9) an investment
vehicle used exclusively for retirement
funds; (10) a pension fund of an exempt
beneficial owner; or (11) an entity wholly
owned by exempt beneficial owners. The
term “exempt beneficial owner” also
includes any entity treated as an exempt
beneficial owner pursuant to a Model 1 or
2 IGA.

Expanded Affiliated Group
of FFIs (EAG)
An Expanded Affiliated Group of FFIs
(EAG) means one or more chains of
includible corporations connected through
stock ownership with a common parent
corporation which is an includible
corporation, but only if the common parent
owns directly stock in at least one of the
other includible corporations totaling more
than 50 percent of the total voting power of
the stock of such corporation, and with a
value equal to more than 50 percent of the
total value of the stock of such
corporation, and if stock meeting these
vote and value requirements in each of the
includible corporations (except the
common parent) is owned directly by one
or more of the other includible
corporations. A partnership or any entity
other than a corporation shall be treated
as a member of EAG if such entity is
controlled (within the meaning of section
954(d)(3), without regard to whether such
entity is foreign or domestic) by members
of such EAG (including any entity treated
as a member of such EAG by reason of
this sentence).

FATCA ID
Each registering FI will be provided a
FATCA ID that will be used for purposes of
establishing and accessing the FI’s online
FATCA account. For all FIs other than
Member FIs, the FATCA ID is a randomly
generated six-character alphanumeric
string. For Member FIs, the FATCA ID will
be comprised of 12 characters: the first 6
characters will be the Lead FI’s FATCA ID,
followed by a period, and the last 5
characters will be alphanumeric and
assigned sequentially to each Member.

The FATCA ID is not the same as the
GIIN. The GIIN will be issued to an FI
(other than a Limited FFI or Limited
Branch), after the FI’s FATCA registration
is submitted and approved.

Financial Institution (FI)
Financial Institution (FI) means an
institution that is a depository institution,
custodial institution, investment entity, or
insurance company (or holding company
of an insurance company) that issues
cash value insurance or annuity contracts.

Foreign Financial Institution (FFI)
A Foreign Financial Institution (FFI) means
a Financial Institution that is not located in
the United States and includes: (1) an FFI
treated as a Reporting FI under a Model 1
IGA, including foreign branches of a USFI
or U.S. Territory FI, (2) an FFI treated as a
Reporting FI under a Model 2 IGA and (3)
a foreign branch of a USFI or a U.S.
Territory FI that has in effect a QI
Agreement.

GIIN
GIIN means a global intermediary
identification number assigned to a PFFI
or RDCFFI. A separate GIIN will be issued
to the FI to identify each jurisdiction,
including the jurisdiction of an FI's
residence, in which the FI maintains a
branch not treated as a Limited Branch.
It is anticipated that the IRS FFI List will
be updated on a monthly basis to add or
remove FIs (or their branches). The GIIN
may be used by an FI to identify itself to
withholding agents and tax administrators
for FATCA reporting. GIINs are
alphanumeric, comprised of 19 characters
with the following format:
XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXX. A detailed
breakdown that includes the information
on each set of characters in the GIIN can
be found in Appendix B – GIIN
Composition Table of the FATCA
Registration online user guide available at
www.irs.gov/fatca.

Lead FI
A Lead FI means a USFI, FFI or a
Compliance FI that will carry out FATCA
registration for each of its Member FIs that
is a PFFI, RDCFFI, or Limited FFI. A Lead
FI is not required to act as a Lead FI for all
Member FIs within an EAG. Thus, an EAG
may include more than one Lead FI that
will carry out FATCA registration for a
group of its Member FIs. A Lead FI will be
provided the rights to manage the online
account for its Member FIs. If a Lead FI
submits a paper Form 8957, the IRS will
create an online FATCA account for the
Lead FI and will provide the Lead FI with
information on how to access its FATCA

account, including a FATCA ID and
temporary access code. The Lead FI will
then need to carry out FATCA registration
for each of its Member FIs via the FATCA
registration website. Note: An FFI seeking
to act as a Lead FI cannot have Limited FI
status in its country of residence.

Limited Branch
A Limited Branch means a branch that,
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it
is located, is unable to: (1) report, close, or
transfer its U.S. accounts to a USFI, to a
branch of the FFI that will report the U.S.
account, to a PFFI, or to a Reporting FI
under a Model 1 IGA, or (2) withhold,
block, or close an account held by a
recalcitrant account holder or
nonparticipating FFI or otherwise transfer
the account to a USFI, to a branch of the
FFI that will report the account to the IRS,
to a PFFI, or to a Reporting FI under a
Model 1 IGA. A Limited Branch also
includes a related branch under a Model 1
or 2 IGA that is treated as a
nonparticipating FFI branch because it
operates in a jurisdiction that prevents
such branch from fulfilling the
requirements of a PFFI or
deemed-compliant FFI.

Limited FFI
A Limited FFI means an FFI that, due to
local law restrictions, cannot comply with
the terms of an FFI Agreement, or
otherwise be treated as a PFFI or
RDCFFI, and that is agreeing to satisfy
certain obligations for its treatment as a
Limited FFI.

Member FI
A Member FI means an FFI that is
registering as a member of an EAG that is
not acting as a Lead FI and that is
registering as a PFFI, RDCFFI, or Limited
FI. For purposes of registration, a Member
FI may also include a foreign branch of a
USFI that is treated as a Reporting FI
under a Model 1 IGA, or that is renewing
its QI Agreement. A Member FI will need
to obtain its FATCA ID from its Lead FI
and provide the number on the paper
FATCA registration form. The FATCA ID is
used to identify the Member FI for
purposes of registration and is not the
same number as the GIIN. A GIIN is
issued to FIs, other than Limited FFIs or
Limited Branches, after the FATCA
registration is submitted and approved.

Model 1 IGA
A Model 1 IGA means an agreement
between the United States or the Treasury
Department and a foreign government or
one or more foreign agencies to
implement FATCA through reporting by
financial institutions to such foreign
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government or agency thereof, followed
by automatic exchange of the reported
information with the IRS. For a list of
jurisdictions treated as having an IGA in
effect, see “List of Jurisdictions” available
at www.irs.gov/fatca.

Model 2 IGA
A Model 2 IGA means an agreement or
arrangement between the United States or
the Treasury Department and a foreign
government or one or more foreign
agencies to implement FATCA through
reporting by financial institutions directly to
the IRS in accordance with the
requirements of an FFI Agreement,
supplemented by the exchange of
information between such foreign
government or agency thereof and the
IRS. For a list of jurisdictions treated as
having an IGA in effect, see “List of
Jurisdictions” available at www.irs.gov/
fatca.

Nonreporting FI
A Nonreporting FI means an entity that is
established in a jurisdiction that has in
effect a Model 1 or 2 IGA and that is
treated as a nonreporting FI in Annex II of
the applicable Model 1 or 2 IGA or that is
otherwise treated as a deemed-compliant
FFI or an exempt beneficial owner under
Treas. Reg. §1.1471-5 or §1.1471-6.

Participating FFI (PFFI)
A participating FFI (PFFI) means an FFI
that: (1) is registering to agree to enter into
an FFI Agreement, (2) is treated as a
Reporting FI under a Model 2 IGA and that
is certifying that it will comply with the
terms of an FFI Agreement, as modified by
the terms of the applicable Model 2 IGA,
or (3) is a foreign branch of a USFI that
has in effect a QI Agreement and that is
also agreeing to the terms of an FFI
Agreement, unless such branch is treated
as a Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA
(see RDCFFI definition).

Point of Contact (POC)
A Point of Contact (POC) is an individual
authorized by the FI (see Line 1 of Form
8957) to receive FATCA-related
information regarding the FI and to take
other FATCA-related actions on behalf of
the FI.

Private Arrangement
Intermediary (PAI)
A private arrangement intermediary (PAI)
contract is a contractual arrangement
between a QI and a PAI that is a RDCFFI
or certified deemed-compliant FFI under
which the PAI generally agrees to perform
all of the obligations of the QI with respect
to the accounts maintained directly by the

PAI. For the requirements of a PAI
contract, see the renewed 2014 Model QI
Agreement available at www.irs.gov/fatca.

Entity that will perform the due diligence,
withholding, and reporting obligations on
its behalf.

Qualified Intermediary (QI)

Sponsoring Entity

A Qualified Intermediary (QI) means an
FFI (or foreign branch of a USFI) that has
entered into a qualified intermediary
withholding agreement (QI Agreement)
with the IRS.

A Sponsoring Entity means an entity that
will perform the due diligence, withholding,
and reporting obligations of one or more
sponsored investment entities or
controlled foreign corporations
(Sponsored FFIs).

Registered Deemed
Compliant FFI (RDCFFI)
A Registered Deemed Compliant FFI
(RDCFFI) means: (1) an FFI that is
registering to confirm that it meets the
requirements to be treated as a local FFI,
nonreporting FI member of a PFFI group,
qualified collective investment vehicle,
restricted fund, qualified credit card issuer,
or sponsored investment entity or
controlled foreign corporation (see Treas.
Reg. §1.1471-5(f)(1)(i) for more
information about these categories), (2) a
Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA and that
is registering to obtain a GIIN, or (3) an FFI
that is treated as a Nonreporting FI under
a Model 1 or 2 IGA and that is registering
pursuant to the applicable Model 1 or 2
IGA.

Reporting FI
A Reporting FI means an FI that is treated
as a Reporting FI under the terms of a
Model 1 or Model 2 IGA that is in effect.
The term Reporting FI also includes a
foreign branch of a USFI that is treated as
a Reporting FI under the terms of a Model
1 IGA that is in effect. A foreign branch of
a USFI treated as a Reporting FI under the
terms of a Model 2 IGA is not required to
submit a FATCA registration form to
obtain a GIIN, unless it is renewing a QI
Agreement.

Responsible Party
A Responsible Party means the individual
responsible for the performance of the FI
under the terms of a QI, WP, or WT
Agreement.

Single FI
A Single FI means an FI that does not
have any Member FIs and that is
registering for PFFI or RDCFFI status for
itself or one or more of its branches. A
Single FI may also include a foreign
branch of a USFI treated as a Reporting FI
under a Model 1 IGA or that has in effect a
QI Agreement.

Sponsored FFI
A sponsored FFI means an investment
entity or an FFI that is a controlled foreign
corporation (CFC) having a Sponsoring

United States
United States means the United States of
America, including the States thereof, but
does not include the U.S. Territories. Any
reference to a “State” of the United States
includes the District of Columbia.

U.S. Financial Institutions (USFI)
A U.S. Financial Institution (USFI) means
an FI that is a resident of the United
States.

U.S. Territory
U.S. Territory means American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, Guam, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S.
Virgin Islands.

Withholding Foreign
Partnership (WP)
A Withholding Foreign Partnership (WP)
means a foreign partnership that has
entered into a withholding foreign
partnership agreement (WP Agreement)
with the IRS.

Withholding Foreign Trust (WT)
A Withholding Foreign Trust (WT) means
a foreign trust that has entered into a
withholding foreign trust agreement (WT
Agreement) with the IRS.

Special Rules
Lead FI and Member FIs of an EAG. In
general, all FFIs, other than exempt
beneficial owners or certified
deemed-compliant FFIs, that are part of
the same EAG must be registered. For
purposes of registration, an EAG may
have more than one Lead FI and may
organize itself for purposes of registration
into subgroups under different Lead FIs.
For example, an EAG of 10 FFIs may
decide to select two different Lead FIs,
Lead FI 1 and Lead FI 2. Lead FI 1 can
carry out FATCA registration on behalf of
four of its Member FIs and Lead FI 2 can
carry out FACTA registration on behalf of
four of its other Member FIs. All 10 FFIs
within the same EAG will be registered,

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even though they are registered under two
different Lead FIs.
Consolidated Compliance Program: If
an EAG has in place a consolidated
compliance program, as described in
Treas. Reg. §1.1471-4(f)(2)(ii), then
Member FIs that elect to participate in the
same consolidated compliance program
should be registered as Member FIs by
the Lead FI that is acting as the
Compliance FI for the compliance group.
Model 1 IGA (Select Registered
Deemed Compliant). FIs that are treated
as Reporting FIs under a Model 1 IGA
(see the list of jurisdictions treated as
having an IGA in effect at www.irs.gov/
fatca) should register as RDCFFIs.
A Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA will
be able to register and obtain a GIIN prior
to July 1, 2014, and may generally find it
convenient to do so. Nonetheless, such an
FI is not required to provide a GIIN to
withholding agents prior to January 1,
2015, and therefore has time beyond July
1, 2104, to register to obtain a GIIN. In
addition, a Reporting FI under a Model 1
IGA must register prior to July 1, 2014, (1)
if it maintains one or more branches (other
than a Limited Branch or U.S. branch) in
jurisdiction(s) that are not covered by a
Model 1 IGA, (2) if it is renewing its QI,
WP, or WT Agreement, or (3) if it intends
to be a Lead FI for Member FIs that are
not established in, and operating
exclusively in, other Model 1 IGA
jurisdictions.
Model 2 IGA (Select PFFI). FIs that are
treated as Reporting FIs under a Model 2
IGA (see the list of jurisdictions treated as
having an IGA in effect at www.irs.gov/
fatca) should register as PFFIs.
FFIs that are also Sponsoring Entities.
An FFI that will also act as a Sponsoring
Entity for one or more Sponsored Entities
is required to submit a second registration
form to act as a Sponsoring Entity. The
Sponsoring Entity will receive a separate
Sponsoring Entity GIIN and should only
use that GIIN when it is fulfilling its
obligations as a Sponsoring Entity.
Sponsored FFIs. An FFI that is a
Sponsored FFI will be registered by its
Sponsoring Entity. Details about how a
Sponsoring Entity may register a
Sponsored FFI will be posted online at
www.irs.gov/fatca.
USFIs treated as Lead FIs. A USFI that
is registering as the Lead FI on behalf of
its Member FFIs will register as a Lead FI
and be issued a GIIN.

Specific Instructions
Part 1: Financial
Institution Registration

Line 1
Check the box applicable to your FI status
as described below. Only one box may be
checked.
A Single FI is an FI that has no
Member FIs, and that is registering for
PFFI or RDCFFI status for itself or one or
more of its branches. A Single FI may also
include a foreign branch of a USFI that is
treated as a Reporting FI under a Model 1
IGA or that is renewing a QI Agreement.
A Lead FI means a USFI, FFI, or
Compliance FI that will carry out FATCA
registration for each of its Member FIs that
is a PFFI, RDCFFI, or Limited FFI. A Lead
FI is not required to act as a Lead FI for all
Member FIs within an EAG. Thus, an EAG
may include more than one Lead FI that
will carry out FATCA registration for a
group of Member FIs. A Lead FI will be
provided the rights to manage the online
account for its Member FIs. If a Lead FI
submits a paper Form 8957, the IRS will
create an online FATCA account for the
Lead FI and provide the Lead FI with
information on how to access its FATCA
account, including a FATCA ID and
temporary access code. The Lead FI will
then need to carry out FATCA registration
for each of its Member FIs via the FATCA
registration website. Note: An FFI seeking
to act as a Lead FI cannot have Limited
FFI status in its country of residence.
A Member FI will need to obtain its
FATCA ID from its Lead FI and provide the
number on the registration form. The
FATCA ID is used to identify the Member
FI for purposes of registration and is not
the same number as the GIIN. A GIIN is
issued to FIs, other than Limited FFIs or
Limited Branches, after the FATCA
registration is submitted and approved.
A Sponsoring Entity is an entity that
will perform the due diligence, withholding,
and reporting obligations of one or more
Sponsored FFIs.

Line 2
Enter the legal name of the FI. The legal
name is the name the FI uses in official
incorporation or organization documents,
or the name otherwise recognized by the
residence country government as the FI's
official name. Typically, the legal name is
the name used by the FI in legal
documents.

Line 3
Enter the FI’s country of residence for tax
purposes. The country of residence
means the jurisdiction in which the FI is
treated as a resident for income tax
purposes (for example, the place of
incorporation or place of principal

management and control). If the FI is a
dual resident, identify one of the countries
where it is a tax resident in this line and
identify the second country of tax
residence in Line 9a by treating the
second tax residence country as a branch
jurisdiction.
Partnerships and other flow-through
entities. For a partnership or other
flow-through entity, the FI’s country of
residence means the jurisdiction under the
laws of which the entity is organized or
established or, if not organized or
established under the laws of any
jurisdiction, the jurisdiction where it
maintains its principal office.

Line 4
Check the box applicable to your FATCA
classification in your country of tax
residence. Only one box may be checked.
A Sponsoring Entity, a USFI registering
as Lead FI, a U.S. Territory FI or a USFI
with a foreign branch that is renewing its
QI Agreement or that is treated as a
Reporting FI under a Model 1 IGA must
select “None of the Above.”
Note: FIs with branches in multiple jurisdictions. An FI (other than a
Sponsoring Entity, USFI, or foreign branch
of a USFI) that maintains branch
operations in multiple jurisdictions should
answer this question by treating the
operations within its country of tax
residence as if it were a branch (home
office) and then classify whether such
home office is participating, registered
deemed compliant, or limited. In Line 9a of
the registration form, the FI should identify
the jurisdictions where it maintains
branches outside of its country of tax
residence and which, if any, of its
branches will be treated as Limited
Branches.
Example. Bank A, an FI, is a resident
of Country X. In addition to banking
activities that it conducts within Country X,
Bank A also conducts banking activities
through its branches in Countries Y and Z.
Under Country X laws, Bank A cannot
satisfy the obligations that would allow its
operations within Country X (home office)
to be effectively a PFFI or RDCFFI.
However, Bank A’s branches in Countries
Y and Z would be able to comply with the
obligations imposed on a PFFI or RDCFFI.
For purposes of registering itself and
obtaining a GIIN for its branch operations
in Countries Y and Z, Bank A should
select that it is classified as a Limited FFI
in its country of tax residence.

Line 5
Enter the mailing address of the FI. The
address provided will be used to send all
mail correspondence related to the FI's
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FATCA registration, FATCA account, and
any other related matters.

Line 6
Check the appropriate box to indicate that
the FI is a party to a QI, WP, or WT
Agreement with the IRS and provide the
EIN that was issued to the FI for use in
identifying itself when acting in its capacity
as a QI, WP, or WT.
Check “Not Applicable” if the FI is not a
party to a QI, WP, or WT Agreement with
the IRS.
Sponsoring entities. A Sponsoring
Entity must check “Not Applicable.”

Line 7
Check “Yes” if the FI maintains a branch
outside its country of tax residence. A
branch is a unit, business, or office of an
FI that is treated as a branch under the
regulatory regime of a country or is
otherwise regulated under the laws of a
country as separate from other offices,
units, or branches of the FI. FIs should
treat all offices or business units within any
one jurisdiction as a single branch.
Sponsoring entities. If you are
applying as a Sponsoring Entity, you do
not need to answer questions about your
branches and should check “No.”

Line 8
Check “Yes” if the FI is either a U.S.
resident or maintains a branch within the
United States, and provide the EIN of the
FI or U.S. branch, as appropriate.

Line 9a
Separately identify each jurisdiction where
the FI maintains a branch outside of the
United States, including if the FI maintains
a branch in a U.S. Territory, and provide
the information requested in Lines 9(b)
and 9(c). Use additional sheets to furnish
the required information for each separate
jurisdiction in which the FI maintains a
branch.

Line 9b
Indicate whether each branch listed is a
Limited Branch.

Line 9c
Check “Yes” if the branch operates under
an attachment to the FI's QI agreement
and intends to renew its status as such.
Check “No” if the branch operates
under an attachment to the FI's QI
agreement and does not intend to renew
its status as such.

Check “Not Applicable” if the branch is
not part of an FI that is a QI.
Note: On the FATCA registration form, a
QI can delete branches previously listed in
its QI Agreement that will no longer act as
a QI, but it cannot add branches. If the QI
wishes to add branches that were not
included in its prior QI Agreement, it must
complete Form 14345 in accordance with
the instructions therein.

Line 10
Provide the name, title, address and
contact information of the Responsible
Officer (RO) of the FI. For purposes of
line 10, RO means the person authorized
under applicable local law to establish the
statuses of the FI's home office and
branches as indicated on the registration
form. The individual identified as the RO
on this line 10 will be the only individual
who will receive emails from the IRS
related to the FI's FATCA account.
Note: If an FI is a Lead FI, the FI’s RO will
automatically be treated as a POC for the
FI and any Member FI. As a result, the RO
for a Lead FI may receive correspondence
related to its Member FI’s FATCA
information.
The address provided should be the
business address of the RO. The business
address is defined as the address where
the RO maintains his or her principal
office.

Line 11a
Check “Yes” and complete Line 11b, if the
FI wants to appoint one or more POCs,
other than the RO identified in Line 10. A
POC is an individual authorized to receive
from the IRS FATCA-related information
regarding the FI and to take other
FATCA-related actions on behalf of the
FI .
Check “No” if the FI wants the IRS to
send correspondence only to the RO
identified in Line 10.
By listing one or more POCs in
Line 11b and checking the “Yes” box in
Line 11a, the individual identified in the
checkbox on Line 11b is providing the IRS
with written authorization to release the
FI’s FATCA information to the POC.

Line 11a, the authorizing individual
identified at the end of line 11b (to the right
of the checkbox) is providing the IRS with
written authorization to release the FI’s
FATCA information to the POC. Once the
authorization is granted, it is effective until
revoked by either the POC or by an
authorizing individual of the FI.

Part 2: Information on
Member FIs of an EAG

Check “No” if the QI/WP/WT has not
changed its legal name since the date of
its most recent QI/WP/WT Agreement.

Line 14
Enter the name, business title, and contact
information for the FFI’s responsible party
as identified in the FFI’s most recent
QI/WP/WT Agreement.

This part need not be completed by an FI
that is a Member FI, Single FI, or
Sponsoring Entity.

Check “Yes” if the responsible party is
the same individual listed as the FFI’s RO
in Line 10.

Line 12

Check “No” if the responsible party
differs from the individual listed as the
FFI’s RO in Line 10.

A Lead FI will be required to provide
identifying information about its Member
FIs via the FATCA registration website.
The grid in Part 2 is provided to help the
Lead FI collect Member FI information that
it will need to complete the online version
of Part 2 of the FATCA registration form.
Do not mail identifying information for
Member FIs to the IRS on the paper
FATCA registration form. If a Lead FI
submits a paper Form 8957, after the form
is processed by the IRS, the Lead FI will
receive a FATCA ID and temporary
access code to access its online account
and to complete Part 2 of the FATCA
registration form for each of its Member
FIs. In order to complete Part 2, the Lead
FI will need to know the Member FI’s legal
name, jurisdiction of tax residence, and
member type. A Lead FI that is registering
a Member FI that is a USFI with foreign
branches should select “None of the
Above” for such entity.
For more information on how to
complete information for a Member FI via
the FATCA registration website, see the
online user guide available at
www.irs.gov/fatca.

Part 3: Renewal of
Existing Agreements
for QIs, WPs, or WTs

Part 3 should only be completed by a
Single FI, Lead FI or Member FI that has in
effect a QI, WP, or WT Agreement and
that wishes to renew its agreement. FIs
that want to apply to become a first-time
QI, WP, or WT should visit the IRS website
at www.irs.gov/fatca for more information
on how to apply.

Line 11b

Line 13

For purposes of Line 11b, the term “RO”
means an individual who is authorized
under local law to consent on behalf of the
FI (“an authorizing individual”) to the
disclosure of tax information to third
parties. This individual may be the same
as the individual identified as the RO in
Line 10. By listing one or more POCs in
Line 11b and checking the “Yes” box in

Check “Yes” if the QI/WP/WT has
changed its legal name since the date of
its most recent QI/WP/WT Agreement. If
“Yes,” also provide the new legal business
name of the QI/WP/WT and the reason for
the name change (i.e., merger, liquidation,
or rebranding).

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Line 15
Enter the legal name and address of the
PAI. The legal name is the name the PAI
uses in official incorporation or
organization documents, or the name
otherwise recognized by the government
as the entity's official name.
The address of the PAI is the address
where the PAI maintains its principal
office.
Leave this line blank if there are no PAI
contracts.

Part 4: Signature

The individual signing the registration form
on behalf of the FI should check the box,
enter his or her name in the space
provided, and then sign on the signature
line at the bottom. The form will not be
processed if the name of the individual or
the signature is missing.
For purposes of Part 4, the term “RO”
means the individual with authority under
local law to submit the information
provided on behalf of the FI. In the case of
FIs or FI branches not governed by a
Model 1 IGA, this individual must also
have authority under local law to certify
that the FI meets the requirements
applicable to the FI status or statuses
identified on the registration form. The RO
identified in Part 4 need not be the same
individual identified as the RO in Line 10
or Line 11b.
By signing the registration form the
individual certifies that to the best of his or
her knowledge, the information provided is
accurate and complete and that the FI
meets the requirements applicable to the
status identified on the registration form.
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice We
ask for the information on this form to carry
out the Internal Revenue laws of the
United States. You are required to give us
the information. We need it to ensure that
you are complying with these laws and to

allow us to figure and collect the right
amount of tax.
You are not required to provide the
information requested on a form that is
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
unless the form displays a valid OMB
control number. Books or records relating
to a form or its instructions must be
retained as long as their contents may
become material in the administration of
any Internal Revenue law. Generally, tax
returns and return information are
confidential, as required by section 6103.

The time needed to complete and file
this form will vary depending on individual
circumstances. The estimated average
time is:
Recordkeeping . . . . . . .

7 hr. 24 min.

Learning about the law
or the form . . . . . . . . . .

18 min.

Preparing and sending
the form to the IRS . . . .

25 min.

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If you have comments concerning the
accuracy of these time estimates or
suggestions for making this form simpler,
we would be happy to hear from you. You
can send your comments to the Internal
Revenue Service, Tax Forms and
Publications Division, 1111 Constitution
Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC
20224. Do not send the registration form
to this office. Instead, see How To
Register, earlier.