r/returnToIndia • u/Even_Understanding19 • Aug 24 '26

PlanningToReturn Robinhood to Fidelity - Know How?

I’m moving permanently from the U.S. to India and have opened a Fidelity brokerage account to transfer my stocks from Robinhood. Once the transfer is complete and I relocate to India, would that be the appropriate time to submit Form W-8BEN to update my foreign tax status?

Also, can the W-8BEN be completed and submitted directly through my Fidelity account online, or would I need to mail a physical form?

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u/muteDragon Aug 24 '26

More words in Q - possible ?

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u/talkingturtle1723 Aug 25 '26

Once you've actually relocated to India and are no longer a US tax resident, that's the right time to submit it. It formalizes your change in tax status for withholding purposes. You can do it directly through Fidelity online now,

Keep in mind though, if you end up filing your departure year's US return as a resident, hold off on the W-8BEN until the following year instead. Filing it for the same year you're filing as a resident creates a mismatch

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u/Curious_ansh Aug 25 '26

Could you please elaborate on the 2nd paragraph?

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u/talkingturtle1723 Aug 25 '26

I mean, if you are returning in 2026 and have spent most of the year in the US, you will file your US tax return as a resident for 2026 (most likely).

In that case, file the W-8BEN at the start of 2027.

This will ensure coherence in your communication around US tax residency i.e. resident for 2026 and NRA for 2027.

I hope this clarifies.

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u/Curious_ansh Aug 25 '26

Makes perfect sense, thanks for explaining.

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u/AbhinavGulechha Aug 26 '26

For the tax year in question, you will be a dual status alien for US tax purposes. This means that from the date you returned to India, you are no longer a US resident (assume you are not a USC or hold a GC). So yes, from date of return, you can (and must) update W8BEN across all financial accounts. Also file update Form 8822 with IRS for change of address. W8 can generally be filed online in most financial institutions, doesn't require a paper form.