Need help with w-9 tax form for my first online job - they won't pay me until I submit it

I recently started working for this online company and I'm kind of confused about their payment policy. They told me they won't continue paying me beyond $800 for 2025 until I submit a completed w-9 tax form for their review. I've already reached that $800 threshold, and now they're holding my additional earnings until they get this form. The thing is, this is literally my first job ever and I've never dealt with any tax forms before. I'm completely lost about what a w-9 is or how to get one. Do I actually need to fill out a w-9 form in this situation? If so, where do I find this form and how do I complete it properly? Also, will the company think it's weird that I've never submitted a w-9 before and need to create one now? I'm worried they might think something's off with my application because of this. Any help would be super appreciated! I really need this money but I'm totally new to all this tax stuff.

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18 comments

Natasha Petrova

•8M

You definitely need to fill out a W-9 form! This is totally normal - the company is just following IRS rules. When you earn more than $600 from a company as an independent contractor (not an employee), they need your W-9 so they can report your earnings to the IRS. The W-9 is super simple to fill out. You can download it directly from the IRS website (search "IRS form W-9") or the company might provide you with one. You'll need to include your name, address, and most importantly your Social Security Number (SSN). You'll check the box for "Individual/sole proprietor" most likely. Don't worry about never having filled one out before - everyone has a first time! The company won't think it's weird at all. They just need it for their records and to send you a 1099-NEC form next January showing how much they paid you during the year.

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Natasha Petrova

•8M

Any legitimate company needs your SSN on the W-9 - this is standard procedure. Just make sure you're working with a reputable company. You can also verify they're legitimate by checking reviews, their business registration, or even calling them directly if you're concerned. The W-9 is just for information gathering - it doesn't take care of your tax payments. You'll likely need to pay both income tax and self-employment tax on these earnings. Since this is your first job and it's not a traditional employment situation, you might want to look into quarterly estimated tax payments if you'll earn a significant amount. I'd recommend setting aside about 25-30% of what you earn for taxes.

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Emma Davis

•8M

I went through exactly this last year with my first freelance gig! I was totally confused by the W-9 requirement too. I eventually found https://taxr.ai which saved me so much stress - they analyzed my situation and walked me through everything I needed to do as a new contractor. They explained that as an independent contractor, you're basically running your own mini-business, and the W-9 is just how you give your "business" info to the company paying you. The cool thing was they showed me what deductions I could take to reduce my taxes too! I learned I could deduct my internet, part of my rent for my home office, and even some of my computer equipment.

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GalaxyGlider

•8M

I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and wow - what a lifesaver for a first-timer like me! I uploaded my draft W-9 and they pointed out I had checked the wrong box (was about to select corporation instead of individual). They also explained that this W-9 means the company will send me a 1099-NEC form next January, and I'll need that to file my taxes. The best part was they helped me understand what "self-employment tax" is (basically Social Security and Medicare that I need to pay myself since I don't have an employer doing it for me). The estimated tax payment calculator they provided showed me exactly how much to set aside from each payment. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're new to contractor taxes like I was!

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Isabella Silva

•8M

If you're having trouble getting your W-9 processed quickly and need your money ASAP, I'd recommend calling the IRS directly to make sure you're doing everything right. I was in a similar situation and spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the IRS for help. Finally found https://claimyr.com and used their service to get through to an actual IRS agent. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the IRS phone tree for you and call you back when they have an agent on the line. I got an expert on the phone who confirmed exactly what I needed to do with my W-9 and how to handle the taxes for my first freelance job.

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Isabella Silva

•8M

It usually took less than an hour to get a callback with an agent on the line. Totally different experience from trying to call directly where you can waste your whole day on hold. I'm definitely not giving tax advice - just sharing my personal experience. The advice came from the actual IRS agent I spoke with. That's why I recommend calling them directly, so you get official information straight from the source. The service just helps you get through faster instead of dealing with hold times.

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Freya Andersen

•8M

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself because I had some questions about contractor status that I couldn't find clear answers to online. I was seriously shocked when I got a call back within 35 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line! The agent walked me through exactly what box to check on my W-9 since I was confused about "individual" vs "sole proprietor" (turns out for my situation, both applied). They also explained how the 1099-NEC process works and what records I need to keep for tax time. Definitely worth it for the time saved and peace of mind getting answers directly from the IRS. Sorry for being so negative before!

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Omar Farouk

•8M

Filling out a W-9 is super easy! Just make sure you use your legal name that matches your social security card. And don't forget to sign and date it! One important thing: the company asking for your W-9 isn't actually sending any money to the IRS on your behalf - they're just reporting what they paid you. You'll be responsible for paying all your own taxes. If this is your first job, you might not realize how much you should set aside. I'd recommend saving about 25-30% of everything you earn for taxes if you're doing this kind of contract work. Trust me, you don't want to be shocked next April when you realize you owe a bunch of money!

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Omar Farouk

•8M

Opening a separate savings account for taxes is honestly one of the smartest moves you can make! I wish I had done that when I first started freelancing. It helps you mentally separate that money so you're not tempted to spend it. For quarterly payments, it depends on how much you'll earn this year. If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year, you should make quarterly estimated payments. Otherwise, you might get hit with an underpayment penalty. The IRS has a form called 1040-ES that helps you calculate these payments. As a new freelancer, it's definitely worth looking into since you don't have an employer withholding taxes from each paycheck.

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Chloe Harris

•8M

They're totally different forms for different work relationships. A W-4 is for employees (people who get a regular paycheck with taxes already taken out). A W-9 is for independent contractors (people who get paid the full amount and have to handle their own taxes). If the company is asking for a W-9, that means they're treating you as an independent contractor, not an employee. This affects your taxes a lot - you'll pay more in self-employment taxes, but you can also deduct business expenses. Make sure this classification is correct for the type of work you're doing!

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