READ THIS YOU HOSERS :P

Please read the links below before starting new discussions about taxes, DRS, purchasing directly through CS after creating an account, or CDIC/CUDIC account insurance. A lot of info has already been compiled by smart Maple Apes so you should read it.

INFO ON TAX PREFERRED ACCOUNTS, DRS, TAX IMPLICATIONS:

DRS With BMO: The Ultimate Guide Use this VERY good guide for how to use BMO InvestorLine to DRS.

EDIT: As of April 1, 2023 BMO sadly no longer offers free DRS transfers. Fee is reportedly $100 per DRS transfer, per security. If anyone knows of a new, better DRS option pls post!

Other DRS Info:

DRS PROCEDURES FROM CANADA (may apply in most respects to other internationals as well):

Guide to executing a DRS from Canada, for all major Canadian Banks (‘the big five’)

BMO Transfer Form (if you want to take advantage of BMO’s zero-cost DRS – all Canadian brokers now charge to DRS, even BMO as of April 1st, 2023)

https://www.bmoinvestorline.com/selfDirected/pdfs/PersonalAccountTransfer_static.pdf

I DON’T WANT TO WAIT 4-6 WEEKS FOR MY COMPUTERSHARE ACCOUNT AND VERIFICATION CODE LETTERS!

If you call ComputerShare about 4-5 business days after requesting your first DRS with your broker, you can ask CS to expedite the post letters for your account # and (again call to expedite) your verification code. Each expedited post request costs about $42 USD. More recently, CS has begun to offer an email option (for only the second step, the verification #) for $30USD. Reportedly one will receive the email with verification # within 72 hours.

WHAT IS MY FOREIGN TAX NUMBER? WHAT DO I PUT THERE ON MY CS FORM?

For Canadians, just put your SIN.

HOW TO DO DIRECT PURCHASES FROM CS – BMO Harris

Computershare will accept the Transit/Routing number 071025661 which is for BMO Harris, The BMO US bank division. 1-888-214-6720. I was able to set up a Cross-Border US account with them over the phone, and Computershare’s Bank link accepts its info. Paypal will also let you transfer USD balance directly to BMO Harris. Confirmed as of Dec. 17 2021 that one can buy stock on Computershare using BMO Harris.

HOW TO DO DIRECT PURCHASES FROM CS – Wise (formerly TransferWise)

See this helpful post for how to purchase from Computershare via Wise Thanks to u/YolAloY

There are other institutions as well that offer cross-border US chequing accounts accepted by Computershare – if anyone can send institution names, their transit/routing numbers and screenshots/instructions, I will list here.

WHY DOESN’T GME SHOW UP ON COMPUTERSHARE’S SITE WHEN I SEARCH FOR IT?

Did you make sure you’re in the USA section of Computershare’s site? Check the Country setting in the upper-right of the website (desktop web view). Computershare Canada is a totally separate entity from Computershare USA, and doesn’t handle any US listed securities.

If your broker seems to be stalling DRS (eg. no account movement after 10 business days, or what your broker representative has quoted you at DRS request), consider asking them the following

  • What does your Service Agreement state as the maximum number of days to process Direct Registration of Shares requests?

  • Are you holding real shares for me? Or just a contract for difference?

  • Can I please have the name and direct number for the head of the Fulfillment Center? I’d like you to transfer me because I don’t think you are in compliance with the law stating you need to acquire and hold the securities that I paid for.

… and Please be considerate, patient and kind to your rep. They may have no idea what is transpiring.

HOW TO FILL OUT A W-8BEN Form For Canadians

https://cansumer.ca/w-8ben-form-instructions/#how-to-complete-w-8ben-form-for-an-individual-in-canada

Another guide with step-by-step guides on how to fill out the form, as well as info on workarounds if you get strange timeout errors trying to do it is here: https://www.drsgme.org/fill-out-w8-ben-form (thanks to u/Bibic-Jr)

1. How to Move From PLAN to BOOK on Computershare

The ways to do it, without letting the fractionals get sold, are detailed here: https://www.drsgme.org/converting-plan-to-book (thanks to u/Bibic-Jr)

2. How to ensure DRS Shares are BOOK and fully withdrawn from the DTCC

On the CS USA website: DO THIS OUTSIDE OF TRADING HOURS OR YOUR FRACTIONAL SHARES MAY BE SOLD INSTANTLY. EDIT: Recent findings suggest one may actually want to let fractionals go, then turn off DSPP/Plan and auto-buy, to ensure one’s entire account is in BOOK and truly inaccessible to the DTCC for bogus short-seller ‘locates’. NFA – there is still discussion on this topic, but if you still wish to hold onto fractional shares in DSPP, take the preceding into consideration.

  1. In your Portfolio, on each holdings entry click View Details -> Actions
  2. Choose Change Plan Election.
  3. Choose TERMINATE – this moves them to ‘BOOK’ status.
  4. Now Go to Check Activity -> Pending Transactions.
  5. Open the GameStop entry there; if you see any SELL pending, cancel it right away. This should keep your fractional shares (NOTE pending fractional sales may take a while to show up: return to Step 4. until you see it!)

AFTER MOASS: Norbert’s Gambit, a way to move USD to CAD avoiding unnecessary currency exchange charges:

Think a post on this sub, or others, deserves addition to the above recommended reading? Please msg the mods.

Disclaimer: All above is user-contributed DD (‘Due Diligence’), and neither the mods nor any other entity takes any responsibility for accuracy of content. Not financial advice. Do your own follow-up research, verify and use your own judgement.

Good Day eh? -Arghblarg