U.S. freelancers on Upwork must submit Form W-9 to report taxpayer info and avoid tax withholding. Learn how to file, update, and view your W-9 securely.
In this article
- Which tax form do I submit to Upwork as a U.S. freelancer?
- How do I submit or update my Form W-9 on Upwork?
- Where can I see my completed Form W-9 on Upwork?
- Is there a deadline for completing the W-9 form?
- What happens if I don't complete a Form W-9 with a valid SSN, EIN, or ITIN?
- What happens if I make a mistake on my Form W-9?
- How does Upwork use and protect the information I provide on my Form W-9?
Which tax form do I submit to Upwork as a U.S. freelancer?
If you're a U.S person — including U.S. citizens and resident aliens — you need to file a Form W-9 with Upwork. Other freelancers should file a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.
If you don't complete a W-9 with a valid taxpayer identification number — your Social Security or Employer Identification Number — we're required by the IRS to withhold taxes from your earnings at a set rate.
How do I submit or update my Form W-9 on Upwork?
Filling out your Form W-9 on Upwork follows the same steps as the IRS paper version — but it's done right in your account.
Here’s how:
- Go to Manage finances > Tax Information
- In the Taxpayer identification section, select I am a U.S. person
- Enter your:
- Legal name (or business name if filing as a company)
- Federal tax classification (choose from the dropdown)
- Taxpayer identification number type (choose one)
- TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) — SSN, EIN, or ITIN
- Read and electronically sign and date the tax certification and confirmation of unchanged status
- Check the box to consent to signing electronically
- Check the box to receive tax documents digitally so that you can download them as soon as they're available (optional)
- Choose Save — you’ll see Completed in the label beside Taxpayer identification
Tip: Double-check your tax address under Tax information > Tax residence. Even if you opt for digital tax forms, your address is still important for IRS reporting.
Where can I see my completed Form W-9 on Upwork?
-
- Go to Manage finances > Tax forms
- In the W-9 section, select View
Is there a deadline for completing the W-9 form?
Yes — complete your W-9 before withdrawing any funds. If we don’t have a valid W-9 on file, we’re required by the IRS to withhold taxes from your earnings.
What happens if I don't complete a Form W-9 with a valid SSN, EIN, or ITIN?
If your W-9 is missing or has an invalid TIN (SSN, EIN, or ITIN):
-
- Upwork is required to withhold federal income tax from your earnings
- You won’t be able to withdraw funds
- You may not receive a Form 1099-K or it could be delayed, which could affect your tax filing
What happens if I make a mistake on my Form W-9?
If there’s an error in your TIN (SSN, EIN, or ITIN), the IRS will flag it and we’ll let you know via email.
You’ll need to:
-
- Correct and resubmit your W-9
- Do this within 15 days to avoid tax withholding
How does Upwork use and protect the information I provide on my Form W-9?
We only use your W-9 to meet IRS requirements — like issuing your 1099-K (if applicable) or responding to IRS requests.
Your personal data is encrypted, protected, and stored securely for at least seven years. For full details, check our Privacy Policy in the Upwork Terms of Service.