Need help filling up W-8BEN form

[titana]

hello friends,

my roommate has to fill up a tax form issued by IRS, USA.

The thing is that, he will be travelling to USA to present research paper at a conference. He has been luckily selected for a award (which includes cash) for his research paper and the organizers have asked him to fill up the form and send it to them by 1st october,2011.
however he is having difficulty to figure out some parts of the form , and needs help.It would be of immense help if anyone here with some similar experience in the matter can help.

here is the link for the form:

Part II, section 10 of the form appears confusing..
here is the link for the IRS site with links to the documents of tax treaty between india and usa.

i know this query is not tech related, but still if anyone could guide/has any idea, it would be of immense help.

 

[NinByChoice]

Section 10 is applicable only if you want a tax (at a special rate) to be withheld in the USA. If your friend is not liable to pay any tax for the amount in USA, then he can leave it empty.