Form W-9
Definition
The IRS form on which a US person gives their name, address and taxpayer identification number to a business that will pay them, so the payer can report those payments correctly. Collecting a W-9 before the first payment is what makes accurate 1099 reporting possible, and a missing one can trigger backup withholding.
Related Terms in US Tax
Form 1099-MISC
The IRS information return for miscellaneous payments such as rent, prizes, awards and certain legal or medical payments. Non-employee compensation moved to Form 1099-NEC, so contractor fees no longer belong here.
Form 1099-K
The IRS information return filed by payment settlement entities, including card processors and payment apps, reporting gross payment volume received by a business or seller. Gross volume excludes refunds and fees, so it will not match revenue, and the reporting threshold has changed repeatedly; check current IRS guidance for the year in question.
Schedule C
The schedule attached to IRS Form 1040 on which a sole proprietor or single-member LLC reports business income and expenses. Net profit flows to the owners personal return and is also the starting point for self-employment tax.
Form 1120-S
The US income tax return for an S corporation, which generally pays no federal income tax itself and instead passes income, deductions and credits to shareholders. Each shareholder receives a Schedule K-1 showing their share.
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