The IRS W-9 form is a standard tax document used in the United States. It is requested by businesses or individuals to obtain accurate taxpayer identification numbers and certification from their service providers, contractors, or any payees to ensure correct tax withholding and reporting. For detailed guidance on how to fill out the form correctly, click the button below.
In the labyrinth of tax documentation and reporting requirements, one document stands out for its role in facilitating accurate income reporting and tax compliance: the IRS W-9 form. Essential for both businesses and individuals, this form serves a critical function in the identification and verification of a taxpayer's information. It is primarily used by organizations to request correct taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) from contractors, consultants, and other providers of services who are not employees, thereby ensuring the proper reporting to the IRS of payments made throughout the fiscal year. Furthermore, the W-9 form plays a pivotal role in the administration of backup withholding taxes, acting as a preventive measure against underreporting by providing entities with the necessary information to withhold taxes at the appropriate rates. Given its significance, understanding the purpose, requirements, and potential implications of inaccuracies in W-9 forms is indispensable for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties associated with tax reporting errors. Through delving into these major aspects, individuals and entities can navigate the complexities of tax obligations with greater clarity and confidence.
Form W-9
Request for Taxpayer
Give Form to the
(Rev. October 2018)
Identification Number and Certification
requester. Do not
Department of the Treasury
▶ Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information.
send to the IRS.
Internal Revenue Service
1Name (as shown on your income tax return). Name is required on this line; do not leave this line blank.
2Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above
3.
3 Check appropriate box for federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the
4 Exemptions (codes apply only to
page
following seven boxes.
certain entities, not individuals; see
instructions on page 3):
on
Individual/sole proprietor or
C Corporation
S Corporation
Partnership
Trust/estate
Printor type. InstructionsSpecific
single-member LLC
Exempt payee code (if any)
5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) See instructions.
Requester’s name
and address (optional)
Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=Partnership) ▶
Note: Check the appropriate box in the line above for the tax classification of the single-member owner. Do not check
Exemption from FATCA reporting
LLC if the LLC is classified as a single-member LLC that is disregarded from the owner unless the owner of the LLC is
code (if any)
another LLC that is not disregarded from the owner for U.S. federal tax purposes. Otherwise, a single-member LLC that
is disregarded from the owner should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner.
Other (see instructions) ▶
(Applies to accounts maintained outside the U.S.)
See
6 City, state, and ZIP code
7List account number(s) here (optional)
Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the instructions for Part I, later. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN, later.
Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1. Also see What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.
Part II Certification
Social security number
–
or
Employer identification number
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1.The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and
2.I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
3.I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and
4.The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.
Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions for Part II, later.
Sign
Signature of
Here
U.S. person ▶
Date ▶
General Instructions
• Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise
funds)
• Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross
noted.
proceeds)
Future developments. For the latest information about developments
• Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other
related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted
transactions by brokers)
after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9.
• Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions)
Purpose of Form
• Form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network transactions)
An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an
• Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest),
information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer
1098-T (tuition)
identification number (TIN) which may be your social security number
• Form 1099-C (canceled debt)
(SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption
• Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property)
taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number
Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident
(EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other
amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information
alien), to provide your correct TIN.
returns include, but are not limited to, the following.
If you do not return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might
• Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid)
be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding,
later.
Cat. No. 10231X
Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018)
Page 2
By signing the filled-out form, you:
1.Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),
2.Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or
3.Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income, and
4.Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting, is correct. See What is FATCA reporting, later, for further information.
Note: If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.
Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:
•An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;
•A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;
•An estate (other than a foreign estate); or
•A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).
Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section 1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income.
In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States.
•In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the entity;
•In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the trust; and
•In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.
Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).
Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.
If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items.
1.The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.
2.The treaty article addressing the income.
3.The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.
4.The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.
5.Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.
Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.
If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.
Backup Withholding
What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 24% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.
You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.
Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:
1.You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,
2.You do not certify your TIN when required (see the instructions for Part II for details),
3.The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,
4.The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding
because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or
5.You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).
Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.
Also see Special rules for partnerships, earlier.
What is FATCA Reporting?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.
Updating Your Information
You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.
Penalties
Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.
Page 3
Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
Specific Instructions
Line 1
You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.
If this Form W-9 is for a joint account (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI)), list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U.S. person must provide a Form W-9.
a.Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.
Note: ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ you filed with your application.
b.Sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Enter your individual name as shown on your 1040/1040A/1040EZ on line 1. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.
c.Partnership, LLC that is not a single-member LLC, C corporation, or S corporation. Enter the entity's name as shown on the entity's tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
d.Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
e.Disregarded entity. For U.S. federal tax purposes, an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner is treated as a “disregarded entity.” See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2)(iii). Enter the owner's name on line 1. The name of the entity entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S. person, the U.S. owner's name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on line 2, “Business name/disregarded entity name.” If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.
Line 2
If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, you may enter it on line 2.
Line 3
Check the appropriate box on line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3.
IF the entity/person on line 1 is
THEN check the box for . . .
a(n) . . .
•
Corporation
Individual
Individual/sole proprietor or single-
Sole proprietorship, or
member LLC
Single-member limited liability
company (LLC) owned by an
individual and disregarded for U.S.
federal tax purposes.
LLC treated as a partnership for
Limited liability company and enter
U.S. federal tax purposes,
the appropriate tax classification.
LLC that has filed Form 8832 or
(P= Partnership; C= C corporation;
2553 to be taxed as a corporation,
or S= S corporation)
LLC that is disregarded as an
entity separate from its owner but
the owner is another LLC that is
not disregarded for U.S. federal tax
purposes.
Line 4, Exemptions
If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.
Exempt payee code.
•Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.
•Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.
•Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions.
•Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys’ fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.
The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space in line 4.
1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2)
2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities
3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities
4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities
5—A corporation
6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession
7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
8—A real estate investment trust
9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940
10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a) 11—A financial institution
12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian
13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947
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The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.
IF the payment is for . . .
THEN the payment is exempt
for . . .
Interest and dividend payments
All exempt payees except
for 7
Broker transactions
Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6
through 11 and all C corporations.
S corporations must not enter an
exempt payee code because they
are exempt only for sales of
noncovered securities acquired
prior to 2012.
Barter exchange transactions and
Exempt payees 1 through 4
patronage dividends
Payments over $600 required to be
Generally, exempt payees
reported and direct sales over
1 through 52
$5,0001
Payments made in settlement of
payment card or third party network
transactions
1See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.
2However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.
Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) written or printed on the line for a FATCA exemption code.
A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)
B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities
C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities
D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state
G—A real estate investment trust
H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940
I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a) J—A bank as defined in section 581
K—A broker
L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)
M—A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan
Note: You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.
Line 5
Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, write NEW at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records.
Line 6
Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.
Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.
If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN.
If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.
Note: See What Name and Number To Give the Requester, later, for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.
How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.SSA.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. Go to www.irs.gov/Forms to view, download, or print Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have Form W-7 and/or SS-4 mailed to you within 10 business days.
If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.
Note: Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.
Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.
Part II. Certification
To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, 4, or 5 below indicates otherwise.
For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line 1 must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt payee code, earlier.
Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 5 below.
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1.Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
2.Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.
3.Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.
4.Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).
5.Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), ABLE accounts (under section 529A), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
What Name and Number To Give the Requester
For this type of account:
Give name and SSN of:
1.
The individual
2.
Two or more individuals (joint
The actual owner of the account or, if
account) other than an account
combined funds, the first individual on
maintained by an FFI
the account1
Two or more U.S. persons
Each holder of the account
(joint account maintained by an FFI)
4.
Custodial account of a minor
The minor2
(Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
5. a. The usual revocable savings trust
The grantor-trustee1
(grantor is also trustee)
The actual owner1
b. So-called trust account that is not
a legal or valid trust under state law
6.
Sole proprietorship or disregarded
The owner3
entity owned by an individual
7.
Grantor trust filing under Optional
The grantor*
Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see
Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)
(A))
Give name and EIN of:
8.
Disregarded entity not owned by an
The owner
individual
9.
A valid trust, estate, or pension trust
Legal entity4
10.
Corporation or LLC electing
The corporation
corporate status on Form 8832 or
Form 2553
11.
Association, club, religious,
The organization
charitable, educational, or other tax-
exempt organization
12.
Partnership or multi-member LLC
The partnership
13.
A broker or registered nominee
The broker or nominee
14. Account with the Department of
The public entity
Agriculture in the name of a public
entity (such as a state or local
government, school district, or
prison) that receives agricultural
program payments
15. Grantor trust filing under the Form
The trust
1041 Filing Method or the Optional
Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see
Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))
1List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.
2Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.
3You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or DBA name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.
4List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships, earlier.
*Note: The grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.
Note: If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.
Secure Your Tax Records From Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.
To reduce your risk:
•Protect your SSN,
•Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and
•Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.
If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.
If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.
For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.
Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.
Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
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The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.
If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov or report them at www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). If you have been the victim of identity theft, see www.IdentityTheft.gov and Pub. 5027.
Visit www.irs.gov/IdentityTheft to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.
Privacy Act Notice
Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.
After organizing your documentation and understanding the reason you've been asked to fill out the IRS W-9 form, it's time to tackle it step by step. This critical tax form is a standard procedure for confirming your taxpayer identification number (TIN) and certification. It's often requested by companies or individuals who pay you in order to report tax return information to the IRS. Despite seeming straightforward, filling it out correctly ensures that you are prepared for tax season without any unforeseen hitches. Below, the steps are laid out in a simple manner to guide you through the process, making it as smooth as possible.
Completing the IRS W-9 form accurately is an important step for anyone engaging in professional or business transactions that require tax documentation in the United States. By following the steps outlined above, you can fulfill your obligations efficiently and properly, ensuring that the process of reporting and withholding taxes is conducted smoothly for all parties involved.
The IRS W-9 form, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is primarily used by businesses to collect the correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) of U.S. persons (which can be either an individual or an entity) in order to report income paid to the IRS. This information is utilized for reporting purposes on forms such as the 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income, 1099-DIV for dividends, and 1099-INT for interest earnings.
Individuals or entities who are required to provide their taxpayer identification information to an entity that will pay them money, usually in the form of employment, freelance work, or other types of income, need to fill out a W-9 form. It's typical for independent contractors, freelancers, and vendors providing services to businesses to complete a W-9 to ensure accurate tax reporting to the IRS.
To properly fill out a W-9 form, you need the following information:
If you do not submit a filled-out W-9 when requested, the requesting business may withhold a greater portion of your pay as income tax, generally at a rate of 24% for backup withholding. This not only affects your immediate income but can also complicate your financial and tax records.
Typically, a W-9 form is submitted directly to the person or entity that requested it; it is not sent to the IRS. You can deliver it in person, mail it, or often send it electronically, depending on the requester's preferences. Given the sensitive nature of the information on the form (like your SSN or EIN), ensure secure transmission and storage of the form with the requester.
Not using the latest version of the form. The IRS occasionally updates the W-9 form. Using an outdated version can result in missing new requirements or providing incorrect information.
Entering an incorrect Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). This number is crucial for tax reports. Whether it’s a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for businesses, ensuring accuracy is key.
Failing to report the full legal name. This name should match what’s on your tax return. Mismatching names and TINs can trigger audits or other tax woes.
Omitting a business name. If you’re working under a business entity, this name must be included alongside your personal name, clearly distinguishing between the two.
Misunderstanding the certification. By signing the form, you are certifying that the provided information is correct. Misinterpreting what’s required or providing false information, even unintentionally, can lead to penalties.
Missing signatures. It sounds simple, but forgetting to sign the form invalidates it. An electronic signature is acceptable in many cases but check the requirements.
Incorrect classification of the entity. Misclassifying your status as a sole proprietor, C-corporation, S-corporation, partnership, trust/estate, etc., can lead to incorrect tax processing.
Exposing the form to security risks. Given the personal information contained within, mishandling or accidentally sharing the W-9 can lead to identity theft or fraud. Always send it through secure means.
Now that we've highlighted these common pitfalls, let’s ensure they are avoided:
Double-check the form and instructions for the latest requirements.
Verify your Taxpayer Identification Number twice for accuracy.
Confirm the name on the form matches your tax return exactly.
Remember to include any applicable business names if operating under one.
Understand the legal implications of the certification before signing.
Don’t forget to sign the form!
Correctly identify your business entity type.
Protect your personal information by using secure methods to submit the form.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can navigate the completion of the W-9 form with confidence, avoiding common errors that could complicate your tax situation. Always take the time to review your form thoroughly before submission.
When individuals or businesses engage in various financial and professional activities, the IRS W-9 form is often necessary. This form is used to provide taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) to entities that pay them income. However, this form does not stand alone in the world of financial and tax documentation. Several other forms and documents are commonly used in conjunction with the IRS W-9 form to ensure proper reporting and compliance with IRS regulations. The following list will explore these documents and their purposes briefly.
These documents each play a unique role in the financial ecosystem, ensuring that individuals and businesses can report their income and expenses accurately to the IRS. While the W-9 form is a starting point for verifying taxpayer identity and status, the subsequent forms provide a structured way to report specific types of income or financial transactions. Knowing how these forms interact helps in maintaining compliance with IRS rules and regulations, ultimately facilitating a smoother financial and tax reporting process.
The IRS W-9 form, essential for accurately reporting tax information for various types of income, shares similarities with a number of other tax documents. One such document is the IRS Form W-4. The W-4 is used by employees to inform employers about the amount of tax to withhold from their paycheck. Similar to the W-9, the W-4 involves the provision of personal identifying information; however, its primary focus is on withholding allowances rather than taxpayer identification and certification. These forms serve the mutual purpose of ensuring accurate tax reporting but cater to different aspects of tax liability - the W-9 for independent contractors and the W-4 for employees.
Another document akin to the IRS W-9 form is the IRS 1099 form. The 1099 is used for reporting various types of income other than wages, salaries, and tips. Just like the W-9, the 1099 form is integral to the accurate reporting of an individual’s or entity’s annual income, but from the perspective of the payer. While the W-9 is filled out by the payee (the contract worker, for example) to provide their taxpayer identification number, the payer uses the information on the W-9 to complete the 1099, indicating the amount paid to the contractor throughout the year. This similarity underscores the interconnectedness of tax documentation in the reporting process.
The IRS Form W-8BEN is another document that shows similarity to the W-9. It is used by foreign individuals to certify their foreign status and claim exemptions from certain U.S. information return reporting and backup withholding. Like the W-9, the W-8BEN collects information to determine the correct tax treatment of income and ensures compliance with U.S. tax laws. Both forms gather taxpayer information for accuracy in reporting; however, they differ significantly in the subject group they pertain to—the W-9 for U.S. persons and the W-8BEN for non-U.S. persons.
Lastly, the IRS Form 1040, which is the standard U.S. individual income tax return, shares a common goal with the W-9: ensuring accurate tax reporting and compliance. Individuals use Form 1040 to report their annual income and claim allowable deductions. Although the W-9 does not directly report an individual’s annual income or tax owed, the information it collects—such as taxpayer identification number and certification—is often used to fill out the 1040 correctly, especially for those who receive income as independent contractors or in other non-traditional employment roles. The 1040 and W-9, therefore, play complementary roles in the tax reporting and payment process.
Filling out the IRS W-9 form is an important step for anyone who is working as a freelancer, independent contractor, or is otherwise receiving payments outside of traditional employment relationships. This form is crucial for clients to accurately report payments for tax purposes. To help ensure that the process is completed correctly, here are 10 essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind.
Provide your accurate full name as it appears on your federal tax returns to avoid any discrepancies with the IRS.
Use your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) correctly. Individuals should generally use their SSN, while businesses—including sole proprietors with employees or an office—should use their EIN.
Double-check the form for completeness and accuracy before submission, ensuring all necessary fields are filled.
Understand the certification section at the end of the form. By signing, you're confirming the information is correct and that you're not subject to backup withholding.
Keep a copy of the form for your records. This can be crucial for resolving any future discrepancies or audits.
Leave fields blank. If a field doesn't apply to you, consider filling it with "N/A" to indicate its inapplicability, preventing any misunderstanding about whether you overlooked it.
Provide incorrect information. Misreporting your SSN or EIN can lead to serious issues, including tax penalties and delays in payment.
Forget to sign the form. An unsigned form is considered invalid and can lead to delays in your work or payment cycle.
Ignore requests from your payer to complete or update a W-9 form. These are standard requests to ensure they have the most current information for tax reporting purposes.
Share your completed form indiscriminately. Given that it contains sensitive information like your SSN, it's important to only provide it to those who genuinely need it for tax reporting purposes.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that the process of filling out and submitting your W-9 form goes smoothly, safeguarding against common mistakes that could lead to delays or issues with your tax filings. Remember, accuracy and attentiveness are key when dealing with any tax-related documents.
Many people have misunderstandings about the IRS W-9 form. It's a crucial piece for certain financial and employment situations, yet myths abound. Let's clear up some common misconceptions.
Understanding these facts can help individuals and businesses handle the W-9 form correctly, ensuring proper compliance with tax laws and reducing potential headaches down the road.
The IRS W-9 form, officially known as the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a critical document for freelancers, independent contractors, and certain types of entities that work with businesses in the United States. Understanding its importance and how to properly fill it out ensures compliance with tax laws and can help prevent tax issues down the line. Here are nine key takeaways about this essential form:
Completing the W-9 form accurately and promptly when requested is an essential part of managing your financial and tax-related responsibilities. Always ensure the information is current and correct to prevent potential issues with the IRS.
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