Fill Out Form W-9 Online
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Enter your details, choose your federal classification, and generate the official IRS PDF in seconds.
Taxpayer Name & Federal Tax Classification
Enter your legal name as shown on your federal income tax return and select your federal tax classification.
An individual must enter their name as shown on their Social Security card.
Check the appropriate box that corresponds to your U.S. federal tax classification.
What Is IRS Form W-9 and Who Needs to Complete It?
Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is the standard U.S. tax document used by businesses, hiring companies, banks, and payment processors to collect accurate taxpayer identification from vendors, freelancers, and independent contractors.
Whenever an entity pays an independent contractor or non-employee $600 or more during a tax year, the IRS mandates that the payer file an information return (such as Form 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC). To file this report accurately, the payer must have your verified legal name and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) on record via Form W-9.
Understanding Box 3: Federal Tax Classification for Form W-9
Box 3 is where most W-9 mistakes occur. Check the classification corresponding to your federal tax entity type:
Choose this if you are an independent freelancer or the sole owner of a limited liability company that has not elected corporate tax status. Enter your legal name on Line 1.
Choose this if your business has filed articles of incorporation and operates under corporate federal tax rules. Corporations are frequently exempt from 1099 reporting for services.
Choose this if two or more partners co-own an unincorporated trade or business that files federal Form 1065.
Check the LLC box and enter your tax status code (C = C corp, S = S corp, P = Partnership). Note: Disregarded single-member LLCs must check the first box instead.
Part I: Social Security Number (SSN) vs. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
You must enter one Taxpayer Identification Number in Part I:
- Individuals & Sole Proprietors: Enter your 9-digit SSN (formatted
XXX-XX-XXXX). If you also possess an EIN for your sole proprietorship, the IRS explicitly prefers your personal SSN for 1099 matching. - Corporations, Partnerships & Multi-Member LLCs: Enter your federal 9-digit EIN (formatted
XX-XXXXXXX). Never enter a personal SSN for an incorporated entity.
Top 3 Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing Form W-9
Entering your trade name on Line 1 instead of your legal personal name causes an IRS TIN mismatch letter (CP2100) and threatens backup withholding.
Never send your W-9 to the IRS. Give it directly to the customer, client, or platform requesting it.
Non-resident aliens and foreign companies must never sign a W-9. Doing so falsely certifies U.S. residency. Use Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.
This tool utilizes the official IRS PDF template for Form W-9 (Rev. March 2024), which is the latest active edition released by the Internal Revenue Service. Review the IRS About Form W-9 page and official IRS instructions for official legal guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Form W-9
What is IRS Form W-9 used for?
Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is an official IRS form used by U.S. citizens, resident aliens, corporations, and domestic LLCs to certify their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to an employer, client, or financial institution.
Do I send Form W-9 to the IRS?
No. Never mail Form W-9 directly to the IRS. You deliver the completed and signed form to the requester (the business, client, or platform paying you) so they can accurately file 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, or 1099-K information returns at tax year-end.
Should I use my SSN or EIN on Form W-9?
If you are an individual, sole proprietor, or single-member LLC, the IRS generally recommends providing your Social Security Number (SSN), though an EIN is also acceptable. If you operate as a multi-member LLC, C Corporation, S Corporation, or Partnership, you must enter your federal EIN.
What is backup withholding and how does W-9 prevent it?
If you fail to provide a correct TIN to a payer, IRS regulations mandate that the payer withhold 24% of your payments as backup withholding and remit it directly to the IRS. By signing Form W-9 certifying your correct TIN, you prevent this 24% automatic deduction.
What is the difference between Form W-9 and Form W-8BEN?
Form W-9 is strictly for U.S. persons (citizens, green card holders, resident aliens, and domestic entities). Form W-8BEN is exclusively for foreign non-resident individuals who earn U.S.-sourced income and need to claim treaty tax benefits.
Is my SSN or EIN secure when using this online tool?
Yes, completely. PdfCompare processes all form values exclusively inside your local browser memory sandbox. Your sensitive SSN or EIN is never sent across the internet to any server, database, or analytics tracker.