Form W-9
An IRS form used to certify a U.S. payee's taxpayer identification number (TIN) and backup withholding status, commonly required by transfer agents before processing dividend payments or account changes.
Full Definition
Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is issued by the Internal Revenue Service and must be completed by U.S. persons to certify their TIN—either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)—and to certify that they are not subject to backup withholding. Transfer agents collect W-9 forms to comply with IRS reporting requirements for dividends, interest, and proceeds from broker transactions. Editors should write the form name as 'Form W-9' (with a hyphen) on first mention. The non-U.S. equivalent is Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Do not refer to it as a 'W9' (without the hyphen) in formal documents.
Usage
Usage note: Always write as 'Form W-9' with a hyphen on first mention. 'W9' without a hyphen is incorrect in formal documents. Non-U.S. persons complete Form W-8BEN instead.
In Context
- "Registered shareholders who have not submitted a Form W-9 may be subject to backup withholding of 24% on dividend payments." — Dividend payment notice
- "The transfer agent is unable to process the account update without a completed and signed Form W-9." — Account services instruction letter