Accounts Payable & Receivable › Vendor Management

What is a W-9 (or W-8) form and why does AP collect it?

Beginner

Answer

A W-9 collects a US vendor's legal name, entity type, and taxpayer identification number for 1099 reporting; a W-8 series form is its equivalent for foreign vendors and supports treaty/withholding treatment. AP collects them at onboarding so year-end tax reporting and any required withholding are correct.
Real-world example A foreign consultant submits a W-8BEN to claim treaty benefits, reducing withholding on their payments.

Common follow-ups: W-9 vs W-8 — who uses which? | What if a vendor won't provide one?