W-9
An IRS form used by US persons to certify their taxpayer identification number (TIN) and exempt status for backup withholding purposes, required by transfer agents for account opening and corporate action proceeds.
Full Definition
IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is collected by transfer agents from US registered holders to certify the shareholder's Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number and to confirm exemption from backup withholding. Transfer agents are required to withhold a percentage of dividends and other proceeds (currently 24%) if a certified TIN is not on file. Non-US shareholders must instead submit the applicable W-8 series form (such as W-8BEN for individuals or W-8BEN-E for entities). Editors must ensure that letters of transmittal and account enrollment forms reference the correct form series and do not conflate W-9 with W-8 series forms.
Usage
Usage note: Always render as 'W-9' (with a hyphen). Non-US holders use W-8 series forms — do not conflate. Note that the form must be recertified periodically.
In Context
- "US shareholders must complete a Form W-9 to avoid backup withholding on dividend payments." — Letter of transmittal
- "The transfer agent placed the account on backup withholding after the W-9 certification expired." — Transfer agent account review notice