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# W-9 vs W-8BEN vs W-8BEN-E — Which Tax Form Do I Need?

When a U.S. company pays you, they must confirm whether you are a **U.S. taxpayer or a foreign taxpayer**.
You will be asked to submit one of the following IRS forms:

| Your status | Required form |
| ---- |
| U.S. individual or U.S. company | **W-9** |
| Non-U.S. individual | **W-8BEN** |
| Non-U.S. company | **W-8BEN-E** |
Submitting the correct form prevents tax withholding and payment delays.

## W-9 (U.S. Persons & U.S. Companies)
Used by U.S. citizens, residents, and U.S.-registered businesses.
**Purpose:**
Allows the payer to issue tax forms such as 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC.
**You provide:**
* Name & address
* SSN or EIN
* Business type
* Signature
**Important:**
Not submitting it may cause **24% backup withholding**.

## W-8BEN (Foreign Individuals)
Used by non-U.S. freelancers or founders receiving payments personally.
**Purpose:**
Confirms you are not a U.S. taxpayer and may reduce withholding using tax treaties.
**You provide:**
* Country of residence
* Foreign address
* Foreign tax ID or date of birth
* Signature
**Valid for:** 3 years

## W-8BEN-E (Foreign Companies)
Used by businesses incorporated outside the United States.
**Purpose:**
Certifies foreign entity status and prevents 30% withholding.
**You provide:**
* Company details
* Country of incorporation
* Entity type
* Foreign tax ID
* Authorized signature
**Valid for:** 3 years

## Quick Rule
* U.S. person/company → **W-9**
* Foreign individual → **W-8BEN**
* Foreign company → **W-8BEN-E**
Providing the wrong form can cause tax withholding or payment delays.