eBay

trophykits · ‎08-28-2019

A buyer is requesting a W-9. Has anyone else had this requested & how did you handle it? Did you send them one? If not, what reason did you give for not supplying one? (I have been researching this, but have not found anything helpful.)

dhbookds · ‎08-28-2019

a w9 is given to someone you employ/pay wages to......... Have you asked the buyer why he wants it?

tdumonde2014 · ‎08-28-2019

A TIN is similar to your Social Security Number for tax purposes. Would you give someone your social security number?

"Those who enter the arena unarmed or unprepared are quickly dispatched."

gracieallen01 · ‎08-28-2019

It sounds like a scam to get your ID info.

"Form W-9—Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification—is a commonly used IRS form. If you’ve ever been a contractor for a company, you’ve probably completed a Form W-9. True to its name, individuals and entities use the form to provide their taxpayer identification number to entities that will pay them income during the tax year. Companies use your W-9 for accounting purposes but doesn't send the form to the IRS. The information is used to prepare 1099-MISC forms at the end of the year. If you have your own business or work as an independent contractor, a client may request that you provide a W-9 so they can accurately report the payments they make to you."

Not saying 'NO' doesn't mean 'YES'.

The foolishness of one's actions or words is determined by the number of witnesses.

Perhaps if Brains were described as an APP, many people would use them more often.

Respect, like money, is only of 'worth' when it is earned - with all due respect, it can not be ordained, legislated or coerced. Anonymous

the_fancy_fox · ‎08-28-2019

They may be confused. They may be wanting to see proof you are registered to collect sales tax in their state. If so, direct them to contact ebay about it.

The Race is over
The Rats won.

myjunqueyourtreasure · ‎08-28-2019

@trophykits wrote:
A buyer is requesting a W-9. Has anyone else had this requested & how did you handle it? Did you send them one? If not, what reason did you give for not supplying one? (I have been researching this, but have not found anything helpful.)

Unless it's a business to business transaction for more than $600 in a year, the IRS doesn't require one to be tendered. In most cases businesses only ask for a W-9 if it's an ongoing relationship with the vendor.

I'd ask the buyer why he/she thinks they need one. (and I wouldn't give it to them either)

Reality is the leading cause of stress.

pburn · ‎08-28-2019

@trophykits wrote:
A buyer is requesting a W-9. Has anyone else had this requested & how did you handle it? Did you send them one? If not, what reason did you give for not supplying one? (I have been researching this, but have not found anything helpful.)

In my position with a State agency where I live, we occasionally have to process a refund to an outside entity for overpayment of fees. We require that the entity provide a W-9 in order to process the refund. They supply the W-9 or they don't get a refund.

A W-9 is used by an entity (your buyer, in this case) to track payments made to vendors (and others), in this case, you, that could be considered income. There's nothing nefarious about it. There are dozens of good websites that explain the form if you search for "purpose of a W-9."

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw9.pdf

If you don't want to complete the form, you could probably cancel the transaction, but I'm not sure what reason you'd use for cancellation.

mam98031 · ‎08-28-2019

@the_fancy_fox wrote:
They may be confused. They may be wanting to see proof you are registered to collect sales tax in their state. If so, direct them to contact ebay about it.

They are asking for a Federal tax form. That hasn't got anything to do with any give state or their sales tax.

@the_fancy_fox

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎08-28-2019

There is something odd about this to me. This is a federal form. Why would a stated require this federal form to issue a refund to a resident in your state. I'm confused.

Purpose of Form

An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an
information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer
identification number (TIN) which may be your social security number
(SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption
taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number
(EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other
amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information
returns include, but are not limited to, the following

Now I can understand in states that have state income tax that they would require a copy of 1099's. That I can understand. Either way it shouldn't apply for any transactions between buyers and sellers on Ebay.

What am I missing here?

Speaking for myself, I'm not giving my SSN to any buyer no matter what their reason is.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mvls1 · ‎08-29-2019

Your buyer has no right to your SSN or TIN. I would not comply under ANY circumstances. Do you ask Walmart for their TIN when your purchase something there? It is either a scam or a very ignorant buyer that does not know what they are asking for. I vote for scam.

mingotoy · ‎08-29-2019

Dont give it to them. Explain that if he has to pay a sales tax, it’s Ebay collecting it, not you. Ask him to please pay his bill. Open an unpaid alert i4 days after the sale if he doesn’t pay.

sbailey_01 · ‎08-29-2019

Maybe they mean a copy of your Sales Tax Permit? Just tell them eBay is magically handling all the required permits and extra paperwork for free out of the kindness of their heart.

the_fancy_fox · ‎08-29-2019

@mam98031 wrote:
@the_fancy_fox wrote:
They may be confused. They may be wanting to see proof you are registered to collect sales tax in their state. If so, direct them to contact ebay about it.
They are asking for a Federal tax form. That hasn't got anything to do with any give state or their sales tax.
@the_fancy_fox

Personally I think they are confused. Easy to clear up though. Send an email and ask why they need a federal form from you.

The Race is over
The Rats won.

soh.maryl · ‎08-29-2019

A seller can open an unpaid item case 48 hours after the end of the auction/listing if he has not been paid by then.

Why would you suggest he wait 14 days?

pburn · ‎08-29-2019

@mam98031 wrote:

What am I missing here?

Mam, when an entity pays you money that YOU may have to report as income, they report that to the Federal government via a 1099. The entity would use the W-9 to prepare a 1099.

"Form W-9—Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification—is a commonly used IRS form. If you’ve ever been a contractor for a company, you’ve probably completed a Form W-9. True to its name, individuals and entities use the form to provide their taxpayer identification number to entities that will pay them income during the tax year. Companies use your W-9 for accounting purposes but doesn't send the form to the IRS. The information is used to prepare 1099-MISC forms at the end of the year. If you have your own business or work as an independent contractor, a client may request that you provide a W-9 so they can accurately report the payments they make to you."

I didn't say these refunds were issued to residents of my state (which, in the case of my agency, they weren't). Getting money that could be considered "income" from a state government--even in the form of a refund--is no different from getting "income" from any other source. There's a potential tax liability at both the federal and state level, if applicable.

Here are a couple of really good, comprehensive articles on the purpose of a W-9 form.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/082714/purpose-w9-form.asp

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/self-employment-taxes/what-is-the-purpose-of-an-irs-w-9-form/L0...