Form W-9: Payee Identification and Tax Determination

Getting the information you need from payees can be difficult, even when you know exactly what you’re looking for. Those problems are compounded when the forms and rules are complicated, hard to understand, harder to follow and fraught with sometimes scary consequences. You may receive a B Notice, or discover one of your payees withheld the fact that he or she is not a U.S. citizen. Knowing the rules governing back-up withholding and the Form W-8 series can prepare you to handle these circumstances with confidence. Understanding the W9 information-gathering techniques the IRS regards as acceptable lets you know just how creative you can be in your approach without crossing the line. The more effective your information collection efforts are, the less likely it is that your company will be charged penalties and interest related to non-compliance.

Many companies cost themselves a lot of money by neglecting one of the simplest tasks the IRS asks them to perform. Fines and penalties for improper handling of processes surrounding the W-9, W-8 and associated reporting requirements may be as little as $50, but they can exceed 30% of total payment made to each payee. These simple, money-saving processes are neglected by accounting departments across the country. Take this one-hour webinar to avoid being one of them.