Four Facts For Musicians Receiving Form W-9

You’re getting all geared up to perform with a band or artist you look up to, but before they accept you as a part of their team you receive an IRS Form W-9. Below are some frequently asked questions musicians have about Form W9:

What is a W-9?

A W9 is a request for your identification number such as your social security number or other federal ID. The form w-9 is used to send you (and the IRS) a report showing your income from performances you do with that group.

Why is a W-9 required for an artist to perform?

Before being paid, professional musicians, organizations, and venues will ask instrumentalists, backup vocalists, or event talent to provide a W9. They need IRS Form W-9 from musicians to prepare a report showing the amount they paid you for performing during the year to the IRS.

You’re not an employee, so instead of a W-2 to show how much money you earned, the company will send musicians a 1099-Misc to report the amount you made. Generally, you will receive a 1099MISC if you made $600 or more total from that business throughout the year.

Form W-9 is also used when registering with SoundExchange, this gives them the information to send you tax forms at the end of the year.

How do you fill out a W9 form as a musician?

If you’re a musician who has set up an LLC, S-corp, or are operating as a sole-proprietor, you may be wondering which ID number to include on the form W-9. Here’s how to complete a W9 form for musicians:

1. If you’re a solo artist or sole-proprietor (meaning you are the only owner and aren’t an S-corp) enter your social security number for Part I: Taxpayer Identification Number. If you have an LLC setup but you’re the only owner, you will still use your SSN.
2. If you’re a music LLC and there are multiple owners (you and the rest of the band) enter your Federal Employer Identification Number on the Form W9.*Here’s a FREE guide for how to get your FEIN, if you don’t have an FEIN for your band*
3. If your band is an S corporation, enter your FEIN for the W-9.

Should each band member have a separate W-9 form?

The band is required to fill-out the IRS Form W9, if your band is setup as a business (such as an LLC or S-corporation). However, each band member should provide their own W-9 form to the venue or organization, if the band has no formal business set-up.

The W-9 may be filled out by only one band member, however, if this is the option chosen, the “responsible” band member will request W-9 forms from the bandmates so that the full income isn’t taxed only to themselves. They will then pay each member from the money received for preforming.

If I hire musicians, how do I send them a W-9?

There are a few ways you can request IRS Form W-9 from the musicians you hire, depending on your communication preference.
1. Use this iPhone app for sending musician W-9 forms. They will receive an e-mail and the ability to e-sign. This is likely the fastest way to get a W-9 form signed. Here are some additional iPhone apps for music businesses.
2. If you like using e-mail, send the w-9 to the artists’ e-mail address.
3. If you like using paper, print the W-9 form from the IRS website and ask your musician to fill it out and sign it with a pen. (We’re virtual, and don’t recommend this method).

Have you ever received an IRS Form W-9 Form as a musician? How did you handle it?

Quick favor: Please share this post with other musicians you know, so that they can be informed in business as well. Thanks!