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Why Do I Have to Fill Out a W9 for Fiverr?

Last updated on September 29, 2022 @ 12:14 am

As an American business, Fiverr is required to withhold taxes from payments made to US-based freelancers. In order to do this, Fiverr needs to collect some information from you.

The IRS requires all businesses to provide a W-9 form to any freelancer or contractor they plan to pay $600 or more to in a calendar year. The W-9 simply requests the freelancer’s legal name and tax identification number – typically a Social Security Number for US citizens or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for non-US citizens.

PRO TIP: If you are a U.S. person, the IRS requires that Fiverr have your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) before we can pay you. Your TIN can be your Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can find your SSN on your Social Security card. If you don’t have a card, you can apply for one at your local Social Security Administration office or by calling 1-800-772-1213. An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration. To apply for an ITIN, please fill out form W7 and submit it along with original documentation proving foreign/alien status and identity to the address listed on the form. An EIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS. It’s used to identify the tax accounts of employers and certain types of organizations. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online if you have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN

Fiverr will use the information on the W-9 form to prepare a 1099-MISC form, which is an annual report of income earned by contractors that the IRS uses to verify tax returns. The 1099-MISC form will be sent to both the freelancer and the IRS by January 31st following the year in which the work was performed.

So if you’re wondering why Fiverr needs you to fill out a W9 form, that’s why! It’s just a simple way for us to comply with IRS regulations and make sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes.

The reason Fiverr requires users to fill out a W9 form is because they are required by the IRS to withhold taxes from payments made to US-based freelancers. The W9 form simply requests the freelancer’s legal name and tax identification number – typically a Social Security Number for US citizens or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for non-US citizens. By having this information on hand, Fiverr can prepare a 1099-MISC form for each contractor, which is an annual report of income earned that the IRS uses to verify tax returns.

Dale Leydon

Dale Leydon

Sysadmin turned Javascript developer. Owner of 20+ apps graveyard, and a couple of successful ones.