Which tax form is which?
They sound alike and get mixed up constantly. Here is what each one is, who fills it out, and when.
| Form | Who fills it out | When | What it does | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form W-4 | You, the employee | When you start a job | Tells your employer how much tax to withhold from your paycheck. | Guide |
| Form W-2 | Your employer sends it to you | Each January | Reports the wages you earned and the tax already withheld, so you can file. | Guide |
| Form W-9 | You, the contractor | Before a client pays you | Gives a client your taxpayer details so they can report what they pay you. | Guide |
| Form 1099-NEC | A client sends it to you | Each January | Reports money a client paid you as a non-employee. | Guide |
| Form I-9 | You and your employer together | Your first day of work | Verifies you are legally allowed to work in the U.S. | Guide |
| EIN | You, the business owner | When you start a business | A federal tax ID for your business, used instead of your Social Security number. | Guide |
Where this comes from: IRS form instructions and USCIS Form I-9 guidance, reviewed 2026-08-26
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