What Is the 2023 W-9?
The 2023 revision of IRS Form W-9 is the version of the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification form that the IRS released to reflect updated guidance on taxpayer identification, certification requirements, and exempt entity classifications. Form W-9 serves as the foundational document for the entire information return reporting system — every Form 1099, 1098, 5498, and similar information return traces back to TIN information collected via a W-9. The 2023 revision maintains the same core structure that has been in use for years: seven lines collecting name, business name, tax classification, exemptions, and address, followed by Part I for the TIN and Part II for the certification signature.
The significance of referencing a specific revision year lies in compliance documentation. Businesses conducting annual vendor reviews, financial institutions updating account records, and compliance departments auditing information return procedures often require W-9s on the most current revision. While a W-9 completed on any prior revision remains technically valid as long as the information is accurate, many organizations adopt policies requiring the current revision as part of their internal compliance frameworks. The 2023 revision addressed several areas where prior instructions were ambiguous, particularly around LLC tax classification entries and the interaction between exempt payee codes and FATCA exemption codes.
For individual payees — freelancers, independent contractors, landlords, and account holders — the practical experience of completing the 2023 W-9 is nearly identical to prior versions. The form remains a single page, the same fields are collected, and the certification language in Part II carries the same legal weight under penalty of perjury. The 24% backup withholding rate remains in effect, the same penalty provisions apply for false certifications, and the same rules govern when requesters must solicit W-9s and when payees must provide them.
2023 Revision
Updated instructions and clarified LLC classification guidance from the IRS.
24% Backup Rate
Backup withholding at 24% applies when a correct TIN is not provided to the requester.
Entity Classification
Clarified rules for LLCs entering tax classification codes on Line 3.
Form W-9 2023 Preview
Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2023)
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
Line 1: Name
Name (as shown on your income tax return):
Line 2: Business Name / Disregarded Entity
Business name:
Line 3: Federal Tax Classification
□ Individual/sole proprietor □ C Corporation □ S Corporation □ Partnership □ Trust/estate □ LLC: _____
Part I: Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
SSN: or EIN:
SIGNATURE OF U.S. PERSON
DATE
2023 Revision Changes
The 2023 revision of Form W-9 introduced several refinements to the form instructions and certification language. While the form itself maintained its single-page format and the same seven lines plus Part I and Part II structure, the accompanying instructions received meaningful updates that affect how certain entities complete the form.
| Area | Change | Who It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Classification | Clarified instructions for entering tax classification codes (C, S, P, D) on Line 3 for limited liability companies | All LLCs, particularly single-member LLCs electing corporate treatment |
| Exempt Payee Codes | Updated the list of exempt payee codes and clarified which entities qualify for each code | Corporations, tax-exempt organizations, government entities, and financial institutions |
| FATCA Codes | Refined descriptions of FATCA exemption codes A through M with updated regulatory cross-references | Entities claiming FATCA reporting exemptions — individuals are not affected |
| Certification Language | Minor updates to Part II certification wording to align with current IRS regulatory language | All signers — the substantive legal effect of the certification remains unchanged |
| Instructions | Updated cross-references to related forms and publications, including revised publication numbers | All users referencing the instructions for completion guidance |
How to Complete the 2023 W-9
Enter Your Legal Name (Line 1)
Enter the name exactly as it appears on your federal income tax return. For individuals and sole proprietors, this is your first and last name. For single-member LLCs owned by an individual that have not elected corporate tax treatment, enter the owner's name — not the LLC name. For all other entities (corporations, partnerships, multi-member LLCs, trusts), enter the entity name as registered with the IRS on the EIN application (Form SS-4). The name on Line 1 is the name the IRS uses for TIN matching — an incorrect or inconsistent name will trigger a B-notice requiring a corrected W-9.
Enter Business Name (Line 2, if applicable)
If you have a business name, trade name, DBA, or disregarded entity name that differs from the name on Line 1, enter it here. For single-member LLCs where the owner's name is on Line 1, enter the LLC name on Line 2. This line is optional for individuals who do not operate under a business name. Requesters use Line 2 for their records but the IRS TIN-matching program primarily uses Line 1 for name matching against the TIN database.
Select Your Federal Tax Classification (Line 3)
Check the box that corresponds to your federal tax classification. The 2023 revision provides clarified options: Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC (for disregarded entities), C Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership, Trust/estate, or LLC with a tax classification letter. If you check LLC, you must enter the tax classification code: C for C corporation, S for S corporation, P for partnership. The 2023 instructions clarify that single-member LLCs that have elected corporate treatment should check the LLC box and enter C or S, not the Individual/sole proprietor box.
Enter Exemptions (Line 4, if applicable)
If you qualify for an exempt payee code (exempting you from backup withholding) or a FATCA exemption code (exempting you from FATCA reporting), enter the applicable codes. Most individuals leave both fields blank. Exempt payee codes apply to entities such as corporations (code 1), tax-exempt organizations (code 2), the United States or its agencies (code 3), and other specific entity types. FATCA exemption codes A through M apply to entities exempt from FATCA reporting. Entering an incorrect exemption code can result in the requester failing to withhold when required, creating liability for both the payee and the requester.
Enter Your Address (Lines 5-6)
Provide your current mailing address including street, city, state, and ZIP code. This should be the address where you want information returns (1099s, 1098s) mailed and should match the address associated with your TIN in IRS records. If you have a foreign address, enter it on Line 7 (optional line for account numbers and foreign addresses). P.O. boxes are acceptable if that is your mailing address, but some requesters may also require a physical address for their records.
Enter Your TIN (Part I)
Enter your Social Security number if you are an individual or sole proprietor, or your Employer Identification Number if you are an entity. Single-member LLC owners may use either the owner's SSN or the LLC's EIN, but the name/TIN combination must match IRS records — the owner's name with the SSN, or the LLC name with the EIN. If you are waiting for a TIN (applied for but not yet received), write 'Applied For' in the TIN field, but be aware that the requester must begin backup withholding within 60 days if a TIN is not provided.
Sign the Certification (Part II)
Sign and date the certification, affirming under penalty of perjury that: (1) the TIN is correct, (2) you are not subject to backup withholding (cross out item 2 if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding due to underreporting), (3) you are a U.S. person, and (4) any FATCA code entered is correct. The certification carries the same legal weight as on any prior revision — false certification can result in civil penalties under Section 6682 ($500) and criminal penalties under Section 7206 (up to $250,000 fine and three years imprisonment).
Backup Withholding Rules
The 2023 W-9 revision did not change the backup withholding rate or the circumstances that trigger it. Under IRC Section 3406, backup withholding at 24% applies to reportable payments when the payee fails to furnish a correct TIN, when the IRS sends the requester a B-notice indicating a name/TIN mismatch, when the payee fails to report interest or dividends (triggering a C-notice from the IRS to the payer), or when the payee fails to certify that they are not subject to backup withholding. The 24% rate has been in effect since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced it from the prior 28% rate beginning in 2018.
When a requester receives a first B-notice from the IRS for a payee's account, they must send the payee a copy of the notice and a blank W-9 within 15 business days. The payee has 30 days to respond with a corrected TIN. If the payee does not respond, the requester must begin backup withholding. If the requester receives a second B-notice for the same account within three calendar years, the payee must provide TIN verification directly from the Social Security Administration (for SSNs) or the IRS (for EINs) — a simple W-9 is no longer sufficient. Backup withholding continues until the payee provides the required verification. Amounts withheld under backup withholding are reported on the payee's Form 1099 and are credited against the payee's tax liability when they file their annual income tax return.
B-Notice Response Deadlines
If you receive a B-notice from a payer indicating that the IRS flagged a name/TIN mismatch on your account, you have 30 days to respond with a corrected W-9. After that deadline, the payer must begin withholding 24% of all reportable payments. Responding promptly with the correct information avoids the cash flow impact of backup withholding and the administrative burden of claiming the withholding credit on your tax return.
Entity Classification Guide
One of the areas the 2023 revision clarified is how different entity types should complete Line 3 (Federal Tax Classification). The correct classification determines whether the requester is obligated to file an information return and which type of return applies. Corporations (both C and S) are generally exempt from 1099 reporting for most payment types, while partnerships, sole proprietors, and individuals are not. Attorneys are a notable exception — payments to attorneys are always reportable regardless of entity type.
For LLCs, the tax classification on the W-9 must reflect the entity's federal tax treatment, not its state-law formation. A single-member LLC owned by an individual that has not elected corporate treatment is a disregarded entity — the owner checks "Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC" on Line 3 (or checks LLC and enters D for disregarded entity). A multi-member LLC defaults to partnership treatment (LLC with P). An LLC that has filed Form 8832 to elect C corporation treatment enters LLC with C, and an LLC that has filed Form 2553 for S corporation treatment enters LLC with S. Getting this classification wrong can cause the requester to file the wrong type of information return or to incorrectly exempt or include the LLC in 1099 reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Resources
Authoritative IRS resources for the 2023 revision of Form W-9, taxpayer identification certification, and information return reporting requirements.
IRS - About Form W-9
Official IRS page for Form W-9 with the current revision, prior revisions, instructions, and frequently asked questions.
Form W-9 PDF Download
Direct download of the current IRS Form W-9 in fillable PDF format with complete instructions for all entity types.
IRS - Backup Withholding
IRS guidance on the 24% backup withholding rate, triggering events, B-notice and C-notice procedures, and how to claim credit for amounts withheld.
General Instructions for Information Returns
IRS instructions covering W-9 solicitation requirements, TIN matching, B-notice processing, and filing deadlines for Forms 1099, 1098, and 5498.
Apply for an EIN Online
IRS online EIN application for entities that need an Employer Identification Number to use on their W-9 instead of an individual SSN.
IRS - About Form 8832
Entity Classification Election form that LLCs use to elect C corporation or partnership tax treatment, which determines the tax classification code on the W-9.
Complete Your 2023 W-9
Certify your taxpayer identification number using the 2023 revision of Form W-9 with our guided preparation covering entity classification, TIN certification, backup withholding status, and FATCA exemptions.
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