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Natalie Cusson is a small business owner with over 15 years experience in the creative arts. She's worked on ad campaigns for many trusted brands such as Nike, Subaru, Polaris, Red Bull and Progressive Insurance, just to name a few. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Natalie is driven by her love for writing and research, and is committed to maintaining a growth mindset. Not only is she passionate about learning and growing, she believes in embracing a healthy lifestyle.
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With over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
Natalie Cusson,
Natalie CussonSmall Business Writer
Natalie Cusson is a small business owner with over 15 years experience in the creative arts. She's worked on ad campaigns for many trusted brands such as Nike, Subaru, Polaris, Red Bull and Progressive Insurance, just to name a few. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Natalie is driven by her love for writing and research, and is committed to maintaining a growth mindset. Not only is she passionate about learning and growing, she believes in embracing a healthy lifestyle.
Rob Watts
Rob WattsManaging Editor, SMB
With over a decade of editorial experience, Rob Watts breaks down complex topics for small businesses that want to grow and succeed. His work has been featured in outlets such as Keypoint Intelligence, FitSmallBusiness and PCMag.
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Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Brette Sember, J.D.
Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Table of Contents
- What Is a W-9?
- What Is a 1099?
- 1099 vs. W-9: Key Differences
- 1099-NEC vs. 1099-MISC
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Show more
There are various tax forms needed when working as an independent contractor. Two of the most commonly used documents include the W-9 and 1099 forms. Although these tax documents are two very different forms, they are both related to the same process and work hand in hand when reporting earnings to the IRS. In this article, you will learn the differences between a W9 and 1099 tax form, when to use them and how they work together.
What Is a W-9?
A W-9 form is a basic tax form used in the United States for tax filing purposes. As a freelancer or independent contractor, this form is used to collect important tax information including your taxpayer identification number (TIN) or Social Security number, entity structure, name and address. If you are an independent contractor or vendor, you will be asked by the company that uses your services to fill out a W-9 form. This form provides the information needed to issue you a 1099 income form at the end of the year.
What Is a 1099?
The IRS considers the 1099 form a type of “information return.” Independent contractors receive 1099 forms rather than W-2s as a record of income earned. You will be issued a 1099 form at the end of the year with the information that was provided on your W-9 form. The 1099 form tells the IRS the total income you have earned from the individual or company that hired and paid you. You should receive a 1099 form for anything over $600 in income but may still receive a 1099 even if you collect under $600.
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1099 vs. W-9: Key Differences
1099 forms and W-9 forms are both considered important tax documents. A W-9 form is used by independent contractors and freelancers to document identifying information. The 1099 forms are prepared by the business that hires the contractor when they work together and sent to the contractor at the end of the calendar year.
W-9 | 1099 | |
---|---|---|
Form Type | Tax document/contractor information | Tax document/contractor total earnings |
Used By | Independent contractors/freelancers to give to employers/business | Employers/businesses to send to independent contractor/freelancer |
File To IRS | No | Yes |
Tax Deadline | Submit before first payment or the latest by end of calendar year | Feb. 1 deadline to provide 1099 forms to the recipient |
When To Use a W-9
Any individual or business paying an independent contractor for services over $600 is responsible for collecting a W-9 form and an informational return must be submitted to the IRS to disclose payments. The independent contractor is responsible for filling out important information on the W-9 form and returning it to the business they receive compensation from.
Some examples of independent contractors include:
- Writers
- Actors
- Accountants
- Consultants
- Auto mechanic
- Carpenter
When To Use a 1099
If you work as an independent contractor, you will receive one for contract work over $600. You do not need to include the form itself when you do your taxes, but you must include the income from your 1099s when you report your income to the IRS.
Any entities that pay you for your services are responsible for sending you a 1099. As an independent contractor, you may be servicing many different companies, so it’s important to make sure you collect 1099s from each business. You could also be an employee for one company and simultaneously work as an independent contractor elsewhere in which case you would get a 1099 for the contract work.
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1099-NEC vs. 1099-MISC
There are 21 types of 1099 tax forms but if you’re an independent contractor the two most common 1099 forms used are 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC.
What Is a 1099-NEC Tax Form?
NEC stands for nonemployee compensation. If you are a limited liability company (LLC) or sole proprietor of your own business and you provide a service to clients, you will receive a 1099-NEC from each client served. Before 2020, revenue was previously reported on a 1099-MISC form but now it is to be reported on a 1099-NEC form. It is mandatory that clients send contractors form 1099-NEC by January 31. The 1099-NEC form is generally used to report business payments―not personal ones. Form 1099-NEC is NOT used for:
- Payments made to C corporation (C-corp) or S corporation (S corp)
- Nonbusiness expenses or payments not reported through 1099 form
- Medical and healthcare payments
- Rent, dividends, proceeds and more
What Is a 1099-MISC Tax Form?
1099-MISC stands for “miscellaneous” reporting. You will file a 1099-MISC form to anyone you have paid during the year that included:
- At least $10 in royalties or broker payments in lieu of dividends or tax-exempt interest
- At least $600 in rents, prizes and awards, other income payments, medical and health payments, payments to an attorney and more.
The 1099-MISC Form is also used to report direct sales of at least $5,000 of consumer products to a buyer for resale anywhere other than a permanent retail establishment.
Bottom Line
Unlike an employee―who receives a W-2 form―it’s important to remember that an independent contractor is responsible for self-employment tax. Contractors are required to withhold and pay their own taxes. Both the independent contractor and the client are responsible for gathering, reporting and tracking earnings on each end. The W-9 and 1099 forms are essential in reporting accurate earnings and paying taxes at the end of each calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I find a W9 and 1099 form?
You can download and print both the W9 and 1099 forms directly from the IRS website at IRS.gov. On the website you will see a search bar, here you will type in W-9 form or, for instant access, you can click here. You can also view instructions regarding 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms and or for direct access: 1099-MISC form and 1099-NEC form.
What happens if a contractor does not provide a W9?
You will still need to file a 1099-NEC but, according to the IRS, you will not be able to file electronically with incomplete information. You are required to submit the 1099 form by paper and in the box labeled TIN or Social Security number you will write “refuse.”
It’s important to note, the best way to retrieve a W-9 form is during the hiring process―this helps to avoid incomplete filing. If the contractor refuses to provide a TIN or Social Security number after three attempts, you will need to start backup withholding. Backup withholding requires that 24 percent tax be taken from any future payments to ensure the IRS receives all tax due on income made.
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