w9

[jamrmah]

Is w9 mandatory fro US contractors?

[petra_r]

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@James M wrote:

Is w9 mandatory fro US contractors? I dont really want to do it.

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 Yes it is mandatory and why don't you want to do it?

[tlsanders]

Upwork is required by law to obtain a W-9 from any individual (and certain types of organizations) it might be required to issues a 1099 to.

[bobafett999]

I don't recall if I filled out W-9 or not (I do remember giving them SS#), and I thought Upwork does not issue 1099's.

[tlsanders]

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@Prashant P wrote:

I don't recall if I filled out W-9 or not (I do remember giving them SS#), and I thought Upwork does not issue 1099's.

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 It depends on how much money you make and how many transactions you have within a year. The requirement is different for a platform like Upwork than a direct client, so most freelancers don't reach the point of receiving an Upwork 1099.

[bobafett999]

I thought the limit was $500.  Now is this a limit per client or total money Upwork paid out?

[tlsanders]

Prashant, it's $600 in a year if the client is paying directly for your services. But, Upwork falls into a different category (the same one as PayPal), and thus has a much higher threshhold (as Petra noted, $20,000 and at least 200 transactions in a year)

[5ed8c845]

Can someone please clarify if I would need a W9? Does upwork report my wages?

[tinker_bell3]

Hi Peter,

All freelancers who are U.S persons should file a Form W-9 with Upwork. To complete the form, you sign electronically by submitting it. Please check this help article for more information. 

[petra_r]

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@Prashant P wrote:

I don't recall if I filled out W-9 or not (I do remember giving them SS#), and I thought Upwork does not issue 1099's.

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 You certainly did complete the W-9 or you would have been unable to withdraw any money.

1099s are sent out to freelancers who have earned over $ 20.000 in the last year across 200+ transactions.

Upwork  and similar places have different rules than direct clients, who would have to issue one for payments over $ 600.