Payroll

My contractor refuses to pay the Invoice for my services and demands that I provide the W-9 form. Does he have the right to do this?

Short Answer: Yes, a contractor can request Form W-9 before payment for tax reporting purposes.

Full Answer: Under IRS regulations, businesses must collect Form W-9 from independent contractors to obtain their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for proper tax reporting.
This form is used to prepare Form 1099-NEC, which reports payments of $600 or more to contractors during the tax year. By providing a W-9, you confirm your tax status and TIN, enabling the contractor to comply with federal tax requirements.
If you refuse to submit Form W-9, the contractor is authorized to withhold 24% backup withholding from your payments as mandated by the IRS.

To resolve the issue promptly, complete Form W-9 with your name, address, TIN, and signature, then send it to the contractor. This form is not submitted to the IRS directly by you but is kept by the contractor for tax filing purposes. Ensure that the information on the W-9 is accurate to avoid backup withholding or delays in payment.

General Federal Standard: The IRS requires businesses to collect Form W-9 for payments of $600 or more to contractors and to issue Form 1099-NEC by January 31 of the following year.
PAYROLL