Useful forms
The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
Account opening
New to Bestinvest? You can choose from a range of investment accounts. Whether it's a Stocks & Shares ISA, Personal Pension (SIPP) or General Investment Account, you can open it online.
Already have a Bestinvest account? You can add an account by simply logging into your account, selecting your profile and then 'Open an account'. As we already have information from you when you first opened an account, adding additional accounts is quick and easy.
There are a handful of accounts that require some paperwork which we've listed below.
To open a Joint Investment account please complete and return the Fund and Share application form.
- You will need to complete Section 2 of the application for each joint holder.
- Send your completed forms to us by email or post.
Fund and Share application form (PDF)
What happens next?
- Once we've received your completed form we will set up the account online
- If you're new to Bestinvest, we will send you an email with instructions on how to set up your login details and access your account online
Existing companies or other corporate entities registered in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands can open an Investment account with Bestinvest.
How to open a Corporate Investment account
- Send us a message using our contact form with the details of the company or corporate entity you are looking to open the account for
- We'll then send you the relevant forms to fill in
- Once you've completed and returned the forms we'll set up your account online
We'll reach out to you if we need any other information for your application.
Existing charities set up and registered in the United Kingdom can open an Investment account with Bestinvest.
How to open a Charity Investment account
- Send us a message using our contact form with the details of the charity you are looking to open the account for
- We'll then send you the relevant forms to fill in
- Once you've completed and returned the forms we'll set up your account online
We'll reach out to you if we need any other information for your application.
A bare trust is a simple legal arrangement that allocates money or assets or a share of them to one or more people, usually children.
How to open a Bare Trust with Bestinvest
- Send us a message using our contact form with the details of the type of trust you want to open
- We'll then send you the relevant forms to fill in
- Once you've completed and returned the forms we'll set up your account online
We'll reach out to you if we need any other information for your application.
A discretionary trust allows the people appointed to manage the trust – the trustees – to decide how the assets are distributed to people within the nominated categories or classes – the potential beneficiaries.
How to open a Discretionary Trust with Bestinvest
- Send us a message using our contact form with the details of the type of trust you want to open
- We'll then send you the relevant forms to fill in
- Once you've completed and returned the forms we'll set up your account online
We'll reach out to you if we need any other information for your application.
A SSAS pension is an occupational pension that allows employers more control over where and how money is invested.
How to open a SSAS with Bestinvest
- Send us a message using our contact form with the details of the SSAS you want to open
- We'll then send you the relevant forms to fill in
- Once you've completed and returned the forms we'll set up your account online
We'll reach out to you if we need any other information for your application.
US Tax Forms
You can buy and sell US shares in your Bestinvest account but you'll need to complete the relevant tax forms based on the type of account you have.
If you want to invest in US shares in your ISA, Junior ISA or Investment account you need to complete a W-8BEN.
What is a W-8BEN?
A W-8BEN, also known as a Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting, is a form used to certify an individual's foreign tax status.
This form captures information that we are required to record for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you need guidance on the contents of the form, more information can be found on the IRS website.
Once you've completed the form it is valid for three years.
How to complete a W-8BEN
The W-8BEN form can be completed online for some accounts, while for other accounts we require the form to be completed and emailed back to us.
Completing a W-8BEN online: ISA and Investment accounts
- Log in online or via the app
- Select 'Invest' and find the US share you want to trade on our investment search (select 'US shares' from the quick filters to browse available shares)
- Select 'Invest now' on the share you want to trade
- A message will appear on the next screen asking you to submit a W-8BEN with some of the information pre-populated for you
Completing a W-8BEN manually: Junior ISAs
You need to complete the W-8BEN form and return it to us via email or post.
What happens next?
- You will receive an email to confirm your W-8BEN has been submitted to us
- Online W-8BEN forms take three business days to process
- Manually submitted W-8BEN forms take five business days to process
- You will receive a separate email confirming that your W-8BEN has been accepted and that you can now trade US shares
- Log back into your account online, find the shares you're interested in and place your order
If you want to invest in US shares in your SIPP, Trust or other non-personal account you must complete a W-BEN-E.
What is a W-8BEN-E?
A W-8BEN-E provides a similar purpose as a W-8BEN in certifying a person's foreign tax status. However a W-8BEN-E is for businesses, companies and organisations to complete.
Completing a W-8BEN-E for a SIPP
Let us know that you would like to invest in US shares in your SIPP and we will liaise with our pension administrator (EBS) to complete the necessary paperwork for you.
Completing a W-8BEN-E for Trusts or other non-personal account
Complete and return the form to us via post or email.
What happens next?
- It takes 15 working days to process a W8BEN-E
- We will get in touch by email to let you know once your form has been accepted and that you can now trade US shares
Direct Debits
You can easily set up your Direct Debits online.
- If you want to set up a Direct Debit to invest regularly into funds, log into your account, click on your account from the main dashboard, then go to 'Monthly savings', then 'Add monthly investment', and follow the on screen instructions. See more on monthly investment savings
- If you want to set up a Direct Debit to regular add cash into your account, log into your account, click on your account from the main dashboard, go to 'Monthly savings', then 'Add monthly cash saving', and follow the on screen instructions. See more on monthly cash savings
Managing your Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
You can manage your SIPP account online but at times there may be some paperwork to complete which you can find below.
If you would like to apply for a Best SIPP account through our Online Investment Service, please complete this form.
Please use this form when applying on behalf of a child (also referred to as a minor) for a Best SIPP through our Online Investment Service.
The Best SIPP Child SIPP Application Form (PDF)
Please complete this form if you are transferring another pension into the Best SIPP. It should be submitted along with a SIPP application form unless you are already a Best SIPP client.
This form can be used to top-up an existing Best SIPP account by either paying in a lump sum or setting up regular contributions (either personally or through your employer).
Please use this form to let us know how to pass on the funds in your SIPP and its benefits to others in the event of your death.
If your employer is contributing regularly to your Best SIPP account, please ask them to complete and return this form along with the employer contributions standing order form.
The Best SIPP Employer Contributions Record Of Payments Due (PDF)
The Best SIPP Employer Contributions Record Of Payments Due (Adobe E-Sign)
This document sets out the terms of business for Bestinvest’s Self Invested Personal Pension within the Best SIPP.
Transfers
Thinking about transferring to Bestinvest? Learn more about joining us.
If you already have a Bestinvest account with us you can initiate a transfer from another provider by logging into your account, select the profile icon > choose Transfer an account.
For certain types of transfers, we require some paperwork to be completed which we've listed below.
This form should be completed along with a Junior ISA Application form to transfer your Child Trust Fund to our Online Investment Service.
Need more help?
If you can't find the answer to your question, get in touch or we'll be happy to call you.
