W-9 form?

The Office Business
1

I was just contacted by one of my commercial accounts and they asked me to send them a W-9 form. They asked for a copy of my insurance as well which I was expecting. Anyway, I have never been asked to send a W-9 so I was wondering if this is standard practice or if you all have to do this too. Anyway, it’s a national shoe store that most of you probably know of and their corp office in Indiana called me for these documents. First time I did the windows in December, the manager paid me in cash as it was for the stores grand opening. Now I am doing them monthly, so the corp office got involved. They said the W-9 shows I am a sole proprietor and responsible for my own taxes.

2

Yes, it’s a standard practice

3

Thanks Larry. I don’t do many commercial accounts, mostly residential.

4

Standard practice, and easy…just gives them the info they need to send you a 1099 at the end of the year.

5

Standard… its proof of ur ein…

6

Thanks guys, I just printed form on line and faxed it in to them. I’ll be prepared for the next one.

7

The Form W-9 is the commercial/business version of the Form W-4 for individual taxpayers you fill out for your employer where you declare the exemptions you are claiming

8

Phil, this is so common I made copies of the one I printed online. When someone requests, I just sign, date and send it to them.

9

Thanks Justin, I did that too when I got the call this morning. I am prepared now for the next time someone asks. I only have a few commercial accounts and this was new to me. That’s one more reason I am glad I found WCR. Fast answers to questions.

Thanks everyone.

10

You’re going to need it for most commercial jobs except for little cash storefront jobs. Get in the habit of sending it with your insurance docs. A lot of companies don’t specifically ask for it up front but then your check gets delayed by accounting if they don’t have it.

I think they do it on purpose.
Lol

11

You’re probably right Thad, they owe me for Jan and feb and just contacted me yesterday. The check should be on its way now.

12

Let’s hope, Phil. I think Thad is right as silly as it might seem. It’s amazing how lenient some companies are with accounts payable and how strict they are with AR!

13

We fill out 30-40 of these a year. I actually have one pre filled out and digitally signed in a PDF that I can send from anywhere even my phone.