This article is about Justworks PEO and Payroll. What product am I using?
Overview
When a company wants to pay you as a US-based contractor through Justworks, they'll send you an email invitation to set up your account. During setup, you'll enter your personal and bank account information and complete a Form W-9, which helps make sure the information reported on your Form 1099 is accurate.
This article walks you through each step and explains what a W-9 is and why you're being asked to complete one.
Before you get started
Make sure you have the following information:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your home address
- Your bank's routing number
- Your bank account number
If you'd like to be paid under your business's Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of your SSN, you'll be set up as a vendor. See I've Been Invited as a Vendor, Now What? instead.
Setting up your Justworks account
- Open the invitation email and click the link to get started. The link automatically connects you to the company that would like to pay you.
- When asked how you'd like to be paid, select Pay me as an individual (SSN).
- Enter your personal information, including your legal name, SSN, and home address.
- Enter your bank account information so you can get paid.
- Complete the Tax Information (IRS Form W-9) step. See Completing your Form W-9 below for details.
- Review your information and confirm your account settings.
Once you've finished, the company that invited you will be notified that you're all set and ready to be paid.
Completing your Form W-9
Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) is an IRS form that contractors give to the companies that pay them. It confirms the name, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), tax classification, and address that should be reported on your Form 1099. The company that pays you is the one requesting your W-9, and they use Justworks to collect it. You must complete a Form W-9 via Justworks, even if you’ve completed one before.
- Review your name, SSN, and address, which are filled in from earlier steps. You can edit any of these fields.
- If the company that invited you entered your name or SSN for you, re-enter or confirm that information. These fields are marked, and you'll need to fill them in yourself before you can sign.
- Confirm your federal tax classification. Because you're being paid under your SSN, it's set to individual or sole proprietor.
- Read the certification statements in full. Then check the box to agree to them under penalties of perjury.
- Type your full legal name to sign. Today's date fills in automatically.
You won't be asked for an exempt payee code or a FATCA exemption code. If you have questions about the form, see the IRS Instructions for Form W-9 or talk to a tax advisor.
Accessing your signed W-9
After you sign, a PDF copy of your W-9 is saved to your Justworks account under You > Documents > Tax Documents, where you can view and download it anytime.
For your security, Justworks only displays the last four digits of your SSN. Your full SSN appears only on the signed PDF.
Contractor Onboarding FAQs
Why is the company that pays me asking for a W-9 through Justworks?
That company is responsible for requesting your W-9 and for the 1099 that reports what they paid you. They use Justworks to collect your W-9, and Justworks may file your 1099 on their behalf.
Who files my 1099?
Justworks will likely file your 1099 on behalf of the company that pays you, but that company will listed as the payer. To find your 1099 once it's available, see Accessing W-2s and 1099s.
What if my tax information changes later?
Contact the company that pays you to let them know your information has changed.
I'm an employee. Do I need to complete a W-9?
No. Employees complete a Form W-4, not a Form W-9.
Where can I learn more about Form W-9?
See the IRS's About Form W-9 page.
Disclaimer
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor.