Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This vid helps get started w/ w-9 form (w9 form, w9): turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/self-employment-taxes/what-is-the-purpose-of-an-irs-w-9-form/L0ZtUOnSk.
i. The **W-9 Form** is an IRS document used by businesses in the United States to collect identifying information from independent contractors or freelancers. It's typically requested by businesses or individuals who will pay the independent contractor for their services. The form helps the paying party to properly report the payments made to the contractor to the IRS.
Here's what you need to know about the **W-9 form**:
### **Purpose of the W-9 Form**
The W-9 form is used to:
1. **Request Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)**: This could be your **Social Security Number (SSN)** or **Employer Identification Number (EIN)**.
2. **Provide Certification**: You certify that the TIN you provide is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding unless otherwise noted.
### **When You’ll Need a W-9**
As an independent contractor, a client or business will typically ask you to complete the W-9 form if:
- You’re being paid **$600 or more** for services rendered within a tax year.
- They need to report the payment to the IRS via **Form 1099-NEC** at the end of the year.
### **Information Required on the W-9**
You will be asked to fill out the following information:
1. **Name**: Your legal name (for individuals) or business name (for LLCs or corporations).
2. **Business Name** (if different from your legal name).
3. **Tax Classification**: Indicate whether you're a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.
4. **Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)**: This is usually your SSN or EIN, depending on your business structure.
5. **Address**: Your mailing address.
6. **Certification**: A signature certifying that the information you provided is correct.
### **Why It’s Important for Independent Contractors**
- **Tax Reporting**: The business you work for uses your information from the W-9 to report the payments they make to you. At the end of the year, they will send you **Form 1099-NEC**, which will report how much they paid you.
- **Avoid Backup Withholding**: If your information on the W-9 is incorrect or missing, the IRS may require that your client withhold a portion of your payments (backup withholding).
### **How to Fill Out the W-9**
1. Download the W-9 form from the IRS website or request it from the business you're working with.
2. Complete the form with accurate information.
3. Sign and date the form.
4. Return the signed form to the person or business requesting it.
You don’t submit the W-9 form directly to the IRS; it stays with the business that hired you. The business will use your information to report your income and payments to the IRS.
### **Key Considerations**
- **W-9 is for U.S. persons**: It’s typically used by U.S. citizens or resident aliens. Foreign contractors generally need a **W-8BEN form** instead.
- **Keep track of payments**: Make sure you keep records of payments made to you throughout the year since you’ll need them when filing taxes.
This vid helps get started w/ w-9 form (w9 form, w9): turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/self-employment-taxes/what-is-the-purpose-of-an-irs-w-9-form/L0ZtUOnSk.
i. The **W-9 Form** is an IRS document used by businesses in the United States to collect identifying information from independent contractors or freelancers. It's typically requested by businesses or individuals who will pay the independent contractor for their services. The form helps the paying party to properly report the payments made to the contractor to the IRS.
Here's what you need to know about the **W-9 form**:
### **Purpose of the W-9 Form**
The W-9 form is used to:
1. **Request Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)**: This could be your **Social Security Number (SSN)** or **Employer Identification Number (EIN)**.
2. **Provide Certification**: You certify that the TIN you provide is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding unless otherwise noted.
### **When You’ll Need a W-9**
As an independent contractor, a client or business will typically ask you to complete the W-9 form if:
- You’re being paid **$600 or more** for services rendered within a tax year.
- They need to report the payment to the IRS via **Form 1099-NEC** at the end of the year.
### **Information Required on the W-9**
You will be asked to fill out the following information:
1. **Name**: Your legal name (for individuals) or business name (for LLCs or corporations).
2. **Business Name** (if different from your legal name).
3. **Tax Classification**: Indicate whether you're a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.
4. **Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)**: This is usually your SSN or EIN, depending on your business structure.
5. **Address**: Your mailing address.
6. **Certification**: A signature certifying that the information you provided is correct.
### **Why It’s Important for Independent Contractors**
- **Tax Reporting**: The business you work for uses your information from the W-9 to report the payments they make to you. At the end of the year, they will send you **Form 1099-NEC**, which will report how much they paid you.
- **Avoid Backup Withholding**: If your information on the W-9 is incorrect or missing, the IRS may require that your client withhold a portion of your payments (backup withholding).
### **How to Fill Out the W-9**
1. Download the W-9 form from the IRS website or request it from the business you're working with.
2. Complete the form with accurate information.
3. Sign and date the form.
4. Return the signed form to the person or business requesting it.
You don’t submit the W-9 form directly to the IRS; it stays with the business that hired you. The business will use your information to report your income and payments to the IRS.
### **Key Considerations**
- **W-9 is for U.S. persons**: It’s typically used by U.S. citizens or resident aliens. Foreign contractors generally need a **W-8BEN form** instead.
- **Keep track of payments**: Make sure you keep records of payments made to you throughout the year since you’ll need them when filing taxes.
