1. Alerts for Imposter Scams
We have recently identified several potential cases of fraud involving individuals or entities misusing the name and logo of “Rakuten Securities” or “Rakuten Hong Kong” to conduct illegal fundraising activities. Rakuten Securities HK reminds customers not to make money deposit or transfers to suspicious emails, websites or callers, and not to provide any personal information to such persons. If you suspect that any company or personal information has been disclosed to a suspicious third party, or wish to verify whether a communication is genuinely from Rakuten Securities HK, please contact us at (852) 2119-0116.
2. Important Security Notice
Please be aware that Rakuten Securities Hong Kong Limited (“Rakuten Securities HK”) will never request your trading account information, including login IDs and passwords, via hyperlinks in SMS or email. To ensure security of your trading account, do not disclose your account login information to any unverified websites, and always access directly through our official website. If you have any doubts about a link, please contact us immediately.
1. 有關假冒樂天證券之提示
近日,樂天證券香港有限公司(「樂天證券香港」)發現有不法人士或機構冒用「樂天證券」或「香港樂天」的名義及標誌,進行非法集資活動。 本公司在此提醒客戶,切勿向可疑的電郵、網站及來電者存款/轉賬,及切勿向該等人仕提供任何個人資料。 如閣下懷疑曾向可疑第三者披露公司或個人資料, 或欲辨識通訊是否由本公司發出,請致電 (852) 2119 0116與我們聯絡。
2. 重要安全通知
敬請留意:樂天證券香港有限公司(「樂天證券香港」)絕不會透過短訊或電郵的超連結要求您提供包括登入名稱及密碼等交易賬戶資訊。為確保賬戶安全,切勿向任何未經核實的網站透露您的帳戶登入資訊並請直接於本公司官方網頁登入。如對任何連結有懷疑,請立即與本公司聯絡。
1. 有关假冒乐天证券之提示
近日,乐天证券香港有限公司(「乐天证券香港」)发现有不法人士或机构冒用「乐天证券」或「香港乐天」的名义及标志,进行非法集资活动。 本公司在此提醒客户,切勿向可疑的电邮丶网站及来电者存款/转账,及切勿向该等人仕提供任何个人资料。 如阁下怀疑曾向可疑第三者披露公司或个人资料, 或欲辨识通讯是否由本公司发出,请致电 (852) 2119 0116与我们聯络。
2. 重要安全通知
敬请留意:乐天证券香港有限公司(「乐天证券香港」)绝不会透过短讯或电邮的超连结要求您提供包括登入名称及密码等交易账户资讯。为确保账户安全,切勿向任何未经核实的网站透露您的帐户登入资讯并请直接於本公司官方网页登入。如对任何连结有怀疑,请立即与本公司联络。

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

FATCA stands for the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). It was introduced in October 2009 and signed into law in March 2010 as part of Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act.

FATCA is designed to prevent tax-evasion by U.S. citizens or residents holding foreign accounts or offshore investments. Under the new FATCA regulations, foreign financial institutions (FFIs) must identify U.S. account holders as well as entities under U.S. control (i.e. U.S. persons having a substantial ownership interest in the entity) and provide the IRS with information on their assets, income payments and trade flows during the fiscal year. FATCA regulations generally become effective on or about July 1, 2014.

To be FATCA compliant, Rakuten Securities HK must register its own FFIs with the IRS. In addition, FATCA regulations require Rakuten Securities HK to review existing onboarding and withholding processes and enhance them to comply with the regulations.

As part of an enhanced client onboarding process, additional documentation may be requested for clients holding accounts at Rakuten Securities HK. For instance, Rakuten Securities HK may need to obtain tax forms (i.e. W9/W8 series documents) after July 1, 2014, from both new and existing accountholders in order to identify the client’s tax classification.

In order to determine if tax withholding is applicable, Rakuten Securities HK must authenticate the residency of its accountholders. For instance, if an account is held by a non U.S. citizen or non U.S. registered business entity, Rakuten Securities HK may require a Certification of Foreign Status, such as Form W8-BEN or W8-BEN-E for the account. Similarly, if an account is held by a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien or U.S. business entity, the accountholder may be required to certify his/her tax status by completing a Form W-9.

U.S. citizens or corporations may complete a W-9 form.

Instructions for non-US citizens or corporations can be found in detail here, and are generally outlined below for your convenience:

  • W-8BEN – non-US individual (unless individual falls under below classification)
  • W-8BEN-E – non-US entity (unless entity falls under below classification)
  • W-8ECI – non-US person with claim that income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States
  • W-8IMY – non-US intermediary, non-US flow-through entity, or non-US trust
  • W-8EXP – non-US government, international organizations, non-US central banks of issue, non-US tax-exempt organizations, non-US private foundations, or governments of US possessions

The outline provided above is not intended to be exhaustive and is not warranted or guaranteed by Rakuten Securities HK as to its completeness or accuracy. For assistance with selecting and completing the tax Form applicable to you, please consult a qualified tax professional.

Under the new FATCA regulations, withholdable payments do not include foreign exchange payments. Although gains on foreign exchange contracts are generally reported to the IRS as gross proceeds, FATCA regulations appear to apply to proceeds from the sale or disposition of property capable of producing interest or dividends from sources within the United States. Of note, this is subject to change if FATCA regulations are amended or revised. Please consult a qualified tax professional for additional assistance.

An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is a bilateral agreement between the U.S. government and a country’s tax authority that facilitates compliance with FATCA. More than 50 countries are currently negotiating an IGA.

  • In countries with a Model 1 IGA, FFIs will comply under local legislation and report to their local tax authority; in turn, the local tax authority will exchange information with IRS.
  • In countries with a Model 2 IGA, FFIs will comply with local legislation to enter into agreements with, and report directly to the IRS.

Rakuten Securities HK is carefully analyzing the final regulations and IGAs. Current timelines indicate global compliance on or about July 1, 2014. Rakuten Securities HK will update the clients that are impacted by FATCA once details are finalized.

The IRS website offers additional information regarding FATCA compliance. You may also reference the U.S. Department of Treasury website for supplementary information on IGAs.