How to Fill Out Form W-9 for 1099 Work (With Sample Forms)
Purpose of Form
When you start a new 1099 gig, they'll probably ask you to fill out IRS Form W-9, "Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification." No big deal — it's just a simple one-pager that says, "Here's my tax ID number so you can issue me a 1099 at tax time."
Sample Completed Forms
You only need to fill out a few fields, then sign and date. The rest you can skip. These samples show you how to fill out Form W-9 in specific cases. The next section explains each case in more detail.
Taxpayer ID Number
The form asks for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). You'll fill in either your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Employer Identification Number (EIN) — not both.
In most cases, you'll use your SSN. You may not even have an EIN; many locums docs don't need one.
Use Your SSN
Fill in your SSN if you're taxed as a sole proprietor. That's the case if:
You don't have an LLC or other business entity, or
You have an LLC but haven't elected to be taxed as a corporation.
In either case, if you have an EIN for yourself, you can use it instead of your SSN if you prefer.
Use Your EIN
Fill in your LLC's EIN if:
You have an LLC and you're taxed as an S corporation.
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This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized tax, legal, or accounting advice. Every situation is different — consult a qualified CPA or tax professional before making decisions about your specific tax filing status.