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W-9 collection
TIN matched · 1099-ready · SOC 2 vault

Collect W-9s before you pay anyone. TIN-matched, vaulted, 1099-ready.

Every contractor or vendor you pay $600 or more in a calendar year needs a W-9 on file. Without it the IRS requires 24% backup withholding on every payment. Most businesses scramble in January to collect W-9s before the 1099 deadline. We send W-9 requests automatically, validate the TIN against the IRS matching service, store the W-9 in an encrypted vault, and flow the data directly into year-end 1099 e-file.

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All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle W-9 Collection, end-to-end.

Every contractor or vendor you pay $600 or more in a calendar year needs a W-9 on file.

1

Contractor onboarding link

We give you a branded W-9 collection link. Send it to each contractor when you onboard them, or upload a list and we'll send the requests on your behalf via email.

2

Contractor completes W-9

Contractor completes the W-9 in 2 minutes from any device. We e-sign and store the completed form in the encrypted vault with full audit trail.

3

TIN matching

We validate the TIN and legal name against the IRS TIN matching service in real time. Mismatches are flagged immediately so the contractor can correct their information.

4

Year-end 1099 hand-off

When January 1 arrives, your contractor list is already populated with validated W-9 data. One click pushes the data into our 1099 e-file service for IRS submission and recipient delivery.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent w-9 collection pricing.

State filing fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Mid (51-250 contractors)

$7
Per contractor per year. Bulk import included.

51 to 250 contractors with bulk import of existing W-9s. Branded collection portal at a subdomain of your choice. Volume pricing on year-end 1099 e-file ($3.99 per form).

Get started

Enterprise (250+)

$5
Per contractor per year. API + SSO.

API integration with your AP system, single sign-on for finance team, and dedicated account manager. Enterprise volume pricing on year-end 1099 e-file ($2.99-$3.99 per form depending on volume).

Get started
FAQ

About the W-9 Collection Workflow Service.

When do I need a W-9 from a contractor?
Before you make the first payment. The IRS requires you to either have a W-9 on file or apply 24% backup withholding to every payment. Collecting at onboarding (not at year-end) eliminates the backup-withholding problem.
What is backup withholding?
A 24% withholding the IRS requires when you do not have a valid W-9 on file or when the IRS notifies you of a TIN/name mismatch (B-notice). You pay it to the IRS quarterly via Form 945 and report to the contractor on a Form 1099. Avoid it by collecting W-9s before you pay.
What is IRS TIN matching?
The IRS TIN Matching Program lets approved users validate that a TIN matches the legal name in IRS records. We are an approved user. Real-time validation catches typos and incorrect TINs at W-9 collection time, before any payment is made.
Do I need a W-9 from a C-Corp or S-Corp contractor?
Yes. The W-9 confirms their corporate status (which exempts them from 1099 reporting in most categories). Even though you may not issue a 1099 to a corporation, you need the W-9 on file to prove their exemption to the IRS.
How long do I need to keep W-9s?
Four years after the date the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. In practice that means 7 years to be safe. Our vault keeps W-9s for 7 years by default and supports custom retention policies for longer hold periods.
Can I get an updated W-9 from a contractor whose info changed?
Yes. The system supports updates and re-validation. When a contractor's address or legal name changes, they get a re-collection link that pre-fills their current data and lets them update only what changed. The full audit trail keeps both the old and new versions.
Why File.Business

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A compliance partner, not a transaction

Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.

Premium experience competitors cannot match

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