W-9 Blank Form
W-9 Blank Form
W-9 Blank Form
requester. Do not
(Rev. December 2014)
Department of the Treasury Identification Number and Certification send to the IRS.
Internal Revenue Service
1 Name (as shown on your income tax return). Name is required on this line; do not leave this line blank.
3 Check appropriate box for federal tax classification; check only one of the following seven boxes: 4 Exemptions (codes apply only to
certain entities, not individuals; see
Individual/sole proprietor or C Corporation S Corporation Partnership Trust/estate instructions on page 3):
single-member LLC
Print or type
5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) Requester’s name and address (optional)
Part II Certification
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and
2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am
no longer subject to backup withholding; and
General Instructions • Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), 1098-T
(tuition)
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. • Form 1099-C (canceled debt)
Future developments. Information about developments affecting Form W-9 (such • Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property)
as legislation enacted after we release it) is at www.irs.gov/fw9.
Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to
Purpose of Form provide your correct TIN.
An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information If you do not return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject
return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding? on page 2.
which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification By signing the filled-out form, you:
number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer
1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number
identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to
to be issued),
you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information
returns include, but are not limited to, the following: 2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or
• Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid) 3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If
applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of
• Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds)
any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the
• Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds) withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income, and
• Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by 4. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are
brokers) exempt from the FATCA reporting, is correct. See What is FATCA reporting? on
• Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions) page 2 for further information.
• Form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network transactions)
Note. If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form 3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,
W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially 4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did
similar to this Form W-9. not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest
Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. and dividends only), or
person if you are: 5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup
• An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien; withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened
• A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the after 1983 only).
United States or under the laws of the United States; Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt
• An estate (other than a foreign estate); or payee code on page 3 and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form
W-9 for more information.
• A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).
Also see Special rules for partnerships above.
Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in
the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section What is FATCA reporting?
1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from
such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign
the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified
foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See
U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the Exemption from FATCA reporting code on page 3 and the Instructions for the
United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status Requester of Form W-9 for more information.
and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income.
In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership
Updating Your Information
for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be
allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving
in the United States: reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to
• In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S
disregarded entity and not the entity; corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new
Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor
• In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, of a grantor trust dies.
the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the trust; and
• In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust (other than a Penalties
grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust. Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are
Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a
on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities). false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding,
Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident you are subject to a $500 penalty.
alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or
certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or
a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an imprisonment.
exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee
has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes. Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law,
the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the
saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types
of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following Specific Instructions
five items:
1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you Line 1
claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien. You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The
2. The treaty article addressing the income. name should match the name on your tax return.
3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving If this Form W-9 is for a joint account, list first, and then circle, the name of the
clause and its exceptions. person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9.
4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax. a. Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have
changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA)
5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social
article. security card, and your new last name.
Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption Note. ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form
from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on
in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for the Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ you filed with your application.
tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years.
However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, b. Sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Enter your individual name as
1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the shown on your 1040/1040A/1040EZ on line 1. You may enter your business, trade,
Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.
who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is c. Partnership, LLC that is not a single-member LLC, C Corporation, or S
relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship Corporation. Enter the entity's name as shown on the entity's tax return on line 1
or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
information described above to support that exemption.
d. Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax
If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or
appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233. other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or
DBA name on line 2.
Backup Withholding e. Disregarded entity. For U.S. federal tax purposes, an entity that is
What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must disregarded as an entity separate from its owner is treated as a “disregarded
under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 28% of such payments. This entity.” See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2)(iii). Enter the owner's name on
is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup line 1. The name of the entity entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded
withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on
exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated
settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a
payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to U.S. person, the U.S. owner's name is required to be provided on line 1. If the
backup withholding. direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is
not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on
You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you
line 2, “Business name/disregarded entity name.” If the owner of the disregarded
give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all
entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8
your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.
instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.
Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:
1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,
2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page
3 for details),
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014) Page 3
Line 2 2
However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form
If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care
you may enter it on line 2. payments, attorneys' fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under
section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.
Line 3 Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees
Check the appropriate box in line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons
person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box in line 3. submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by
certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form
Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the name on line 1 is an LLC treated as a for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank.
partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, check the “Limited Liability Company” Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial
box and enter “P” in the space provided. If the LLC has filed Form 8832 or 2553 to institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is
be taxed as a corporation, check the “Limited Liability Company” box and in the not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any
space provided enter “C” for C corporation or “S” for S corporation. If it is a similar indication) written or printed on the line for a FATCA exemption code.
single-member LLC that is a disregarded entity, do not check the “Limited Liability
Company” box; instead check the first box in line 3 “Individual/sole proprietor or A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual
single-member LLC.” retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)
B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities
Line 4, Exemptions
C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or
If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities
appropriate space in line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.
D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more
Exempt payee code. established securities markets, as described in Regulations section
• Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
withholding.
E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a
• Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
for certain payments, including interest and dividends.
F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments
• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is
settlement of payment card or third party network transactions. registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state
• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys' G—A real estate investment trust
fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or
H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity
health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form
registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of
1099-MISC.
1940
The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding.
I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a)
Enter the appropriate code in the space in line 4.
J—A bank as defined in section 581
1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a
custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements K—A broker
of section 401(f)(2) L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)
2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities M—A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan
3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or Note. You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to
any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be
4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or completed.
instrumentalities
Line 5
5—A corporation
Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where
6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns.
States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession
7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Line 6
Trading Commission Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.
8—A real estate investment trust
9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Company Act of 1940 Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not
10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a) have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer
identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not
11—A financial institution have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.
12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN
custodian or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.
13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947 If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its
The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup owner (see Limited Liability Company (LLC) on this page), enter the owner’s SSN
withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13. (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC
is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.
IF the payment is for . . . THEN the payment is exempt for . . . Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN
combinations.
Interest and dividend payments All exempt payees except How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply
for 7 for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local
SSA office or get this form online at www.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by
Broker transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer
through 11 and all C corporations. S Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer
corporations must not enter an exempt Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by
payee code because they are exempt accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer
only for sales of noncovered securities Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and
acquired prior to 2012. SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM
(1-800-829-3676).
Barter exchange transactions and Exempt payees 1 through 4 If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN
patronage dividends and write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it
to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made
Payments over $600 required to be Generally, exempt payees with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get
1 2
reported and direct sales over $5,000 1 through 5 a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on
payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be
Payments made in settlement of Exempt payees 1 through 4 subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to
payment card or third party network the requester.
transactions Note. Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that
1 you intend to apply for one soon.
See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.
Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the
appropriate Form W-8.
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014) Page 4