If you’re a business owner or independent contractor, a client may ask that you send them a W-9. Here’s why, and how to accurately complete one.

As a small-business owner, you may be thinking about outsourcing work to save time and expand your services. Before taking this step, make sure you ask contractors or companies to fill out a W-9 form.

A W-9 is an IRS form that independent contractors fill out to give businesses their tax ID number and personal information. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Admitted NY Bar and US Tax Court, covers US international tax law. Using the correct IRS form (W-9 for U.S. persons and W-8BEN for ...

IRS forms W-8 and W-9 serve distinct purposes in the tax system and are used by different groups to fulfill their tax obligations. A W-8 form is typically required ...

If you have a business, you may need to fill out IRS Form W-9 Fact checked by Suzanne Kvilhaug Form W-9 from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is ...

If you are self-employed or operate a small business, you typically receive requests from vendors and clients to submit a variety of forms. You might also need to request forms from your suppliers and ...

Often, an employee who works outside standard workplace hours to fulfill their role for you is an independent contractor instead of a full-time employee. This employee status difference is a vital ...

When you receive compensation other than wages, the payer may ask you to fill out IRS Form W-9, which is a request for your taxpayer identification number, such as your Social Security Number or ...

The IRS continues to roll out drafts of some 2026 tax forms, including a draft of Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Here’s a look at what’s new—and why it matters ...

If you have a business, you may need to fill out IRS Form W-9 Katharine Paljug is a financial writer and editor with over a decade of industry experience. Her writing has covered nearly every aspect ...