I'm fairly certain most people outside of the US never even heard of that form at all, as most people don't work with/in US companies, nor deal with the US government at all.

W-8BEN has nothing to do about dealing with US companies or government.

If you open investment account to buy any US stock, index funds or a some other US-based financial instruments you have to fill W-8BEN. Otherwise you might be charged 30% tax on your investment income by IRS.

So even if you open brokerage account in UK, EU, India, Russia or any other country you'll surely know about this form.

> W-8BEN has nothing to do about dealing with US companies or government.

> If you open investment account to buy any US stock, index funds or a some other US-based financial instruments you have to fill W-8BEN

You seem to directly contradict yourself. Dealing with any US-based financial instrument obviously has to do with dealing with something US related.

In contrast, if I only invest in any non-US financial instruments, I don't have to deal with W-8BEN.