← All toolsThe W-9,
A client asked for a form
The W-9,
in plain English.
A W-9 gives a requester your taxpayer name, classification and identification number. It isn’t a tax return or a bill.
For U.S. persons · Form W-9, revision March 2024 · Reviewed September 24, 2026
Open the official W-9 and instructions ↗Use this beside the official form.
If you aren’t a U.S. person for tax purposes, ask the requester which alternative form applies. The instructions determine what belongs on each line for your classification.
| 1. Taxpayer name | Use the name required for your federal tax classification. For a disregarded entity, generally enter the owner’s name here. |
|---|---|
| 2. Business name | Enter a different business or disregarded-entity name if applicable. |
| 3a. Tax classification | An individual sole proprietor generally selects “Individual/sole proprietor.” A disregarded LLC follows its owner’s classification; other LLCs follow their tax treatment. |
| 3b and 4 | Read the instructions for flow-through entities and exemptions. Don’t assume they apply because you’re self-employed. |
| 5 and 6. Address | Use the mailing address where you receive tax documents. |
| Part I. Taxpayer ID | Use the TIN that matches Line 1. Sole proprietors may use their SSN or EIN; disregarded entities generally use the owner’s TIN. |
| Part II. Certification | Read the certification, follow its instructions, and sign and date when required. |
Then send it securely to the requester.
Don’t submit it directly to the IRS or put your taxpayer ID in a public file. You don’t enter personal information on this website.
A client can ask for a W-9 before a reporting threshold is reached. Business income may be reportable even when no 1099 arrives. Read about tax forms and filing →