W 9 Form

You may be asked to fill out a W9 tax form by your bank, investment advisor, or pension fund when opening an account. These various institutions require their clientele to complete this form to identify American citizens to the US government.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or filing for your non-U.S. company or partnership, you should fill out a W8 form instead.

Learn more about the difference between W8 and W9 forms.

What Is a W-9 Form?

A W-9 form is used in the United States to collect a person’s or business’s taxpayer identification number (TIN). Unlike a W-2, a W-9 doesn’t go to the IRS. It stays with the business that requested it, so they can later file a 1099 form for tax reporting.

The W-9 form includes basic details like your name, business name (if applicable), address, and TIN (usually a Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number).

You are generally required to fill out a W-9 form if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Independent contractor or freelancer hired to perform services
• Consultant providing specialized expertise to a business
• Vendor or service provider paid by a company
• Landlord receiving rental income from tenants or property managers
• Investor or account holder earning interest or dividends from financial institutions

Accuracy while filling out the W-9 tax form is key to avoiding tax issues later.

W-9 Form for Americans Living Abroad 

Even if you are an American living outside the United States, you may still be required to fill out a W-9 form. U.S. tax law requires citizens to report their global income, so American expats often need to provide a W-9 when dealing with U.S.-based financial institutions.

In some cases, a foreign financial institution may also request a W-9 to comply with FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) rules. The form helps verify U.S. taxpayer status and ensures proper tax reporting.

An Example of a W9 Tax Form

The W9 form is straightforward and only requires you to provide your name, address, social security number, and entity type (individual, partnership, corporation, etc.). Here is an example*: