Hello,

I am a Pakistani citizen who had dividend income and the brokerage withheld 30% of the dividend amount and gave me a 1042S. Does anyone know if there is a tax treaty with Pakistan that reduces the 30% tax or even better exempts Pakistani nationals from dividend taxes.

If yes, what do I need to file to get the refund.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Yes, there is a treaty. See: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-trty/pakistan.pdf

Unless you have a green card or are resident by substantial presence the tax on these dividends is indeed 30% even under the treaty terms. See: Publication 901 (4/2008), U.S. Tax Treaties (http://www.irs.gov/publications/p901/ar02.html#d0e4112)