W-2 vs W-4 vs W-9 vs 1099 vs I-9 vs EIN
They sound alike and get mixed up constantly. Here's what each one is, who fills it out, and when — with a plain-English guide for each.
| Form | Who fills it out | When | What it does | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form W-4 | You (employee) | When you start a job | Tells your employer how much tax to withhold from your paycheck. | Guide → |
| Form W-2 | Your employer → you | Each January | Reports the wages you earned and the tax already withheld, so you can file. | Guide → |
| Form W-9 | You (contractor) | Before a client pays you | Gives a client your taxpayer info so they can report what they pay you. | Guide → |
| Form 1099-NEC | A client → you | Each January | Reports money a client paid you as a non-employee (freelance/contract). | Guide → |
| Form I-9 | You + employer | Your first day of work | Verifies you're legally allowed to work in the U.S. | Guide → |
| EIN | You (business) | When you start a business | A free federal tax ID for your business — used instead of your SSN. | Guide → |
Still not sure which applies to you? Take the 10-second quiz →