Before you can add an employee to your team, you are legally responsible for confirming the employee is eligible to work in the United States. Form I-9. Form W-4. State W-4. Emergency contact form. Employee handbook acknowledgment form. Bank account information form. Benefits forms.
Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, is required by the IRS. Employers use Form W-4 to determine the amount of federal income tax to withhold from an employee's wages. Employees can add information to Form W-4 to increase or decrease their federal income tax withholding.
Individuals classified as employees do not fill out a W-9 form. Independent contractors and freelancers fill out W-9s before they begin working with a business. Upon hire, employees are asked to fill out Form W-4.
Note: The W-4 form 2024 steps are the same as the W-4 form 2025 steps. Step 1: Enter your personal information. Step 2: Account for all jobs you and your spouse have. Step 3: Claim your children and other dependents. Step 4: Make other adjustments. Step 5: Sign and date your form.
There are several types of 1099 forms — which one(s) you receive depends on the type of income earned. The payer fills out the 1099 and sends copies to you and the IRS. You'll typically receive a 1099 by the end of January or early February the year after the income was earned.