Printable IRS W-9 Template
The IRS W-9 form is an essential document for individuals and businesses alike, serving as a crucial tool in the realm of tax reporting and compliance. This form is primarily used to provide your taxpayer identification information to those who are required to report certain payments made to you. Whether you are a freelancer, contractor, or a business entity, filling out the W-9 accurately ensures that the right information is shared with the IRS. The form requests details such as your name, business name (if applicable), address, and taxpayer identification number, which can be either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN). By submitting a W-9, you help the payer accurately report payments made to you on forms like the 1099, which can ultimately affect your tax obligations. It’s important to keep in mind that the W-9 is not submitted to the IRS directly but is kept on file by the requester. Understanding the purpose and proper use of the W-9 can save you from potential tax issues down the line, making it a vital component of your financial documentation.
Common mistakes
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Incorrect Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): One of the most common mistakes is providing an incorrect TIN. This number can be your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). Double-check to ensure accuracy.
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Wrong Name Format: The name on the W-9 must match the name associated with your TIN. Individuals should use their legal name, while businesses should use their registered business name.
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Missing Signature: Failing to sign the form is a frequent oversight. Without a signature, the form is incomplete and may not be accepted by the requester.
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Incorrectly Identifying Your Tax Classification: Misclassifying your entity type can lead to issues. Ensure you select the appropriate classification, such as individual, corporation, or partnership.
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Not Updating Information: If there have been changes to your name, address, or TIN, it is crucial to submit a new W-9. Outdated information can cause delays in processing payments.
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Providing an Incomplete Address: An incomplete or incorrect address can lead to problems with mail delivery. Ensure your address is complete, including street number, city, state, and ZIP code.
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Ignoring Backup Withholding Information: If you are subject to backup withholding, you must indicate this on the form. Failing to do so may result in incorrect withholding amounts.
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Submitting the Form to the Wrong Entity: The W-9 should be sent to the requester who asked for it, not the IRS. Misplacing the form can lead to unnecessary complications.
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Key takeaways
The IRS W-9 form is an essential document for individuals and businesses that need to provide their taxpayer identification information. Here are some key takeaways regarding its use:
- Purpose: The W-9 form is primarily used to request the correct name and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of a person or business. This information is crucial for reporting income to the IRS.
- Who Should Use It: Independent contractors, freelancers, and vendors typically fill out the W-9 when providing services to a business. Businesses may also request this form from individuals to ensure accurate tax reporting.
- Confidentiality: The information provided on the W-9 should be handled with care. It contains sensitive data, including Social Security numbers or Employer Identification Numbers, which should be kept secure to prevent identity theft.
- Submission: Once completed, the W-9 form should be submitted directly to the requester, not to the IRS. The requester will use the information to prepare tax documents, such as Form 1099, at the end of the tax year.
IRS W-9 Example
Form
(Rev. March 2024)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Request for Taxpayer
Identification Number and Certification
Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information.
Give form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS.
Before you begin. For guidance related to the purpose of Form
1Name of entity/individual. An entry is required. (For a sole proprietor or disregarded entity, enter the owner’s name on line 1, and enter the business/disregarded entity’s name on line 2.)
2Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above.
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3a Check the appropriate box for federal tax classification of the entity/individual whose name is entered on line 1. Check |
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4 Exemptions (codes apply only to |
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only one of the following seven boxes. |
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certain entities, not individuals; |
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on |
Individual/sole proprietor |
C corporation |
S corporation |
Partnership |
Trust/estate |
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see instructions on page 3): |
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type.orPrint |
InstructionsSpecific |
LLC. Enter the tax classification (C = C corporation, S = S corporation, P = Partnership) |
. . . . |
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Exempt payee code (if any) |
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Note: Check the “LLC” box above and, in the entry space, enter the appropriate code (C, S, or P) for the tax |
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Exemption from Foreign Account Tax |
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classification of the LLC, unless it is a disregarded entity. A disregarded entity should instead check the appropriate |
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box for the tax classification of its owner. |
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Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting |
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Other (see instructions) |
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code (if any) |
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3b If on line 3a you checked “Partnership” or “Trust/estate,” or checked “LLC” and entered “P” as its tax classification, |
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(Applies to accounts maintained |
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and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate in which you have an ownership interest, check |
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outside the United States.) |
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this box if you have any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries. See instructions |
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See |
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5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.). See instructions. |
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Requester’s name and address (optional) |
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6 City, state, and ZIP code |
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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. See also What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.
Part II Certification
Social security number
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or
Employer identification number
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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 |
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Here |
U.S. person |
Date |
General Instructions |
New line 3b has been added to this form. A |
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required to complete this line to indicate that it has direct or indirect |
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Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise |
foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries when it provides the Form |
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noted. |
to another |
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Future developments. For the latest information about developments |
change is intended to provide a |
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regarding the status of its indirect foreign partners, owners, or |
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related to Form |
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beneficiaries, so that it can satisfy any applicable reporting |
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after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9. |
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requirements. For example, a partnership that has any indirect foreign |
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What’s New |
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partners may be required to complete Schedules |
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Line 3a has been modified to clarify how a disregarded entity completes |
Partnership Instructions for Schedules |
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Purpose of Form |
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this line. An LLC that is a disregarded entity should check the |
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appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Otherwise, it |
An individual or entity (Form |
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should check the “LLC” box and enter its appropriate tax classification. |
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information return with the IRS is giving you this form because they |
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Cat. No. 10231X |
Form |
Form |
Page 2 |
must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following.
•Form
•Form
•Form
•Form
•Form
•Form
•Form
•Form 1098 (home mortgage interest),
•Form
•Form
Use Form
Caution: If you don’t return Form
By signing the
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; and
4.Certify to your
5.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
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
Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding. Payments made to foreign persons, including certain distributions, allocations of income, or transfers of sales proceeds, may be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or chapter 4 of the Code (sections
The following persons must provide Form
•In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the disregarded 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 grantor trust.
•In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust and not the beneficiaries of the trust.
See Pub. 515 for more information on providing a Form
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 (under Regulations section
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
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
If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form
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, but are not limited to, interest,
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, as described in item 4 under “By signing the filled- out form” above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).
Form |
Page 3 |
Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form
See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier.
What Is FATCA Reporting?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all U.S. account holders that are specified U.S. persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, and the Instructions for the Requester of Form
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 are no longer tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form
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.
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
•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 for ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form
•Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your Form 1040 on line 1. Enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.
•Partnership, C corporation, S corporation, or LLC, other than a disregarded entity. 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.
•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. Enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
•Disregarded entity. In general, a business entity that has a single owner, including an LLC, and is not a corporation, is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (a disregarded entity). See Regulations section
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. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form
Line 2
If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, enter it on line 2.
Line 3a
Check the appropriate box on line 3a for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3a.
IF the entity/individual on line 1 |
THEN check the box for . . . |
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is a(n) . . . |
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Corporation |
Corporation. |
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Individual or |
Individual/sole proprietor. |
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Sole proprietorship |
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LLC classified as a partnership |
Limited liability company and |
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for U.S. federal tax purposes or |
enter the appropriate tax |
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LLC that has filed Form 8832 or |
classification: |
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P = Partnership, |
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2553 electing to be taxed as a |
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corporation |
C = C corporation, or |
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S = S corporation. |
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Partnership |
Partnership. |
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Trust/estate |
Trust/estate. |
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Line 3b
Check this box if you are a partnership (including an LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes), trust, or estate that has any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate, in which you have an ownership interest. You must check the box on line 3b if you receive a Form
Note: A partnership that provides a Form
If you are required to complete line 3b but fail to do so, you may not receive the information necessary to file a correct information return with the IRS or furnish a correct payee statement to your partners or beneficiaries. See, for example, sections 6698, 6722, and 6724 for penalties that may apply.
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
•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
The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space on line 4.
Form |
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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 |
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for . . . |
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• Interest and dividend payments |
All exempt payees except |
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for 7. |
• Broker transactions |
Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 |
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through 11 and all C corporations. |
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S corporations must not enter an |
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exempt payee code because they |
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are exempt only for sales of |
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noncovered securities acquired |
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prior to 2012. |
• Barter exchange transactions |
Exempt payees 1 through 4. |
and patronage dividends |
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• Payments over $600 required to |
Generally, exempt payees |
be reported and direct sales over |
1 through 5.2 |
$5,0001 |
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• Payments made in settlement of |
Exempt payees 1 through 4. |
payment card or |
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network transactions |
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1See Form
2However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form
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
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
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 ITIN. Enter it in the entry space for the Social security number. 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
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
If you are asked to complete Form
Note: Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon. See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier, for when you may instead be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code.
Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form
Form |
Page 5 |
Part II. Certification
To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form
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.
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
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
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For this type of account: |
Give name and SSN of: |
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Individual |
The individual |
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Two or more individuals (joint account) |
The actual owner of the account or, |
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other than an account maintained by |
if combined funds, the first individual |
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an FFI |
on the account1 |
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Two or more U.S. persons |
Each holder of the account |
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Custodial account of a minor |
The minor2 |
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5. a. The usual revocable savings trust |
The |
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The actual owner1 |
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a legal or valid trust under state law |
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Sole proprietorship or disregarded |
The owner3 |
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entity owned by an individual |
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Grantor trust filing under Optional |
The grantor* |
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Filing Method 1 (see Regulations |
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section |
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For this type of account: |
Give name and EIN of: |
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Disregarded entity not owned by an |
The owner |
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individual |
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A valid trust, estate, or pension trust |
Legal entity4 |
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Corporation or LLC electing corporate |
The corporation |
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status on Form 8832 or Form 2553 |
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Association, club, religious, charitable, |
The organization |
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educational, or other |
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organization |
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Partnership or |
The partnership |
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A broker or registered nominee |
The broker or nominee |
14. Account with the Department of |
The public entity |
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Agriculture in the name of a public |
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entity (such as a state or local |
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government, school district, or prison) |
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that receives agricultural program |
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payments |
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15. Grantor trust filing Form 1041 or |
The trust |
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under the Optional Filing Method 2, |
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requiring Form 1099 (see Regulations |
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section |
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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 on line 1, and enter your business or DBA name, if any, on line 2. 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.)
*Note: The grantor must also provide a Form
**For more information on optional filing methods for grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041.
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 return 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 a questionable credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at
For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.
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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
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.
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
Go to 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 territories for use in administering their laws. The information may also 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, payors must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payor. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.
Understanding IRS W-9
What is the IRS W-9 form?
The IRS W-9 form is a document used in the United States by individuals and businesses to provide their taxpayer identification information to another party. This information is crucial for reporting income to the IRS. The form is commonly used by freelancers, contractors, and vendors who receive payments from businesses.
Who needs to fill out a W-9 form?
Any individual or entity that is required to provide their taxpayer identification number (TIN) to another party should fill out a W-9 form. This includes:
- Independent contractors
- Freelancers
- Partnerships
- Corporations
- Limited liability companies (LLCs)
In general, if you receive payments that need to be reported to the IRS, you will likely need to complete a W-9.
What information do I need to provide on the W-9?
The W-9 form requires several key pieces of information:
- Your name or business name
- Your business entity type (individual, corporation, etc.)
- Your address
- Your taxpayer identification number (either your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number)
Providing accurate information is essential, as it ensures that the payments you receive are reported correctly to the IRS.
Why is the W-9 form important?
The W-9 form is vital for tax compliance. When a business pays you, it must report that payment to the IRS. The information you provide on the W-9 helps the business prepare the necessary tax forms, such as the 1099, which details the income you earned. Without accurate information, you could face issues with your tax filings.
How do I submit the W-9 form?
Submitting the W-9 form is straightforward. After filling it out, you typically send it directly to the requester (the person or company asking for it) rather than the IRS. This can be done via email, fax, or traditional mail, depending on the requester's preference.
Is the W-9 form secure?
Yes, but caution is necessary. The W-9 contains sensitive information, including your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number. Ensure that you send it securely and only to trusted parties. Avoid sharing it publicly or in unsecured formats to protect against identity theft.
How often do I need to submit a W-9?
You typically only need to submit a W-9 form once to each requester unless your information changes. If you change your name, address, or taxpayer identification number, you should fill out a new W-9 and provide it to the requester.
What happens if I don’t submit a W-9?
If you fail to submit a W-9 when requested, the business may withhold taxes from your payments. This is known as backup withholding, and it can be set at a rate of 24%. Moreover, not providing a W-9 can complicate your tax reporting and may lead to penalties.
Can I refuse to fill out a W-9?
While you can technically refuse to fill out a W-9, doing so may have consequences. If you refuse, the business may withhold taxes from your payments and may not be able to pay you until they receive the required information. It's generally in your best interest to provide the requested information.
Where can I find the W-9 form?
The W-9 form can be easily accessed on the IRS website. It is available as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient to print and fill out. Always ensure you are using the most recent version of the form to comply with current regulations.
How to Use IRS W-9
After completing the IRS W-9 form, the next step involves submitting it to the requester, who may be an employer or a financial institution. This form provides necessary information for tax reporting purposes, and it is important to ensure that all details are accurate before submission.
- Begin by downloading the IRS W-9 form from the IRS website or obtaining a physical copy.
- At the top of the form, enter your name as it appears on your tax return.
- If applicable, provide your business name or disregarded entity name in the next line.
- Check the appropriate box for your federal tax classification, such as individual/sole proprietor or corporation.
- Fill in your address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code.
- Enter your taxpayer identification number (TIN), which can be your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- If you are exempt from backup withholding, indicate this in the appropriate section.
- Sign and date the form at the bottom. Ensure your signature matches the name provided at the top.
- Review the completed form for accuracy before submitting it to the requester.