By Roger Chartier

PRINTW9.com - Part 1

The W-9 form asks for your TIN

Or (Taxpayer Identification Number).
These are either your social security number or your Employer Identification Number

The form tells us that:
We must enter the TIN in the appropriate box.
The TIN provided must match the name given on the “Name” line to avoid backup withholding.

 

For individuals

this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3.

On Page 3 essentially, they say If you are a resident alien and can't for whatever reason get a SSN then you use your IRS Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). That number is entered in the "Social Security number box.

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form and give it to the requester.

This means that you have applied for a TIN number or will very soon.

Read how to get one below.

For interest, dividend and some other payments made regarding readily traded instruments, you often have 60 days to get your TIN number and give it to your requester before you will become subjected to backup withholding on the payments. 

This does not apply to other payment types, so for those, you will be subjected to backup withholding until you get your number to the requester.

Form W-8 is used for a disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner. (W-8 Instructions)

To get a Social Security number apply using this Form SS-5.

Purpose of the Form

References are to the IRS code unless otherwise noted.

A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA. Download Form SS-5.

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person

(including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to:

Part 1

Of the W-9 form asks for your TIN or (Taxpayer Identification Number).
These are either your social security number or your Employer Identification Number.

The form tells us that:
We must enter the TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on the “Name” line to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3.

They say If you are a resident alien and can't for whatever reason get a SSN then you use your IRS Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). That number is entered in the "Social Security number box.

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form and give it to the requester. This means that you have applied for a TIN number or will very soon.
Read how to get one below.

For interest, dividend and some other payments made regarding readily traded instruments, you often have 60 days to get your TIN number and give it to your requester before you will become subjected to backup withholding on the payments. This does not apply to other payment types, so for those, you will be subjected to backup withholding until you get your number to the requester.

Form W-8 is used for a disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner.

The next page is "To Apply For An ITIN"