The W-9 and W-8BEN are U.S. tax forms used to determine your tax status as a U.S. or non-U.S. person. These forms help goLance and the IRS comply with local regulations. You must have a completed form on file before you can withdraw earnings from goLance or accept new offers.

To complete the W-8BEN or W-9 forms, you’ll need to fill the required information in your account’s Tax information, under Settings.

All users, regardless of their citizenship or country of residence, are required to complete this form. If you need assistance with your TIN follow this link.

Important: Starting October 1st, 2024, completing the required tax form will be mandatory to withdraw earnings or accept new offers on goLance.

I’m a US Person (W-9)

Who is considered a US Person?

A U.S. person is defined by the IRS for tax purposes and includes:

U.S. Citizens – Individuals born in the U.S. or those who have obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization.
U.S. Residents (Green Card Holders) – Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who hold a Green Card.
Individuals who meet the substantial presence test – Even if not a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, a -person can be considered a U.S. resident if they meet the substantial presence test. The test calculates the number of days an individual has been physically present in the U.S. over the current and previous two years:
- Current year: Each day counts as 1 day.
- Previous year: Each day counts as 1/3 of a day.
- Two years ago: Each day counts as 1/6 of a day.

Note: If the total is 183 days or more, the individual may be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes.

U.S. Entities – Includes corporations, partnerships, or LLCs organized under U.S. law, U.S. estates, and U.S. trusts subject to U.S. tax law.
Certain individuals temporarily outside the U.S. – U.S. citizens and residents living abroad are still considered U.S. persons for tax purposes.

How do I submit my tax information?

Go to Settings > Tax Information.
Click on the Add Tax Form button.
Verify your tax residence information.
If filing as an individual, enter your tax residence information. If filing as a corporation or partnership, enter your address of incorporation.
Provide the Legal Name of the Taxpayer.
Select your Federal Tax Classification from the dropdown menu.
If you're an individual, enter your date of birth.
Select your taxpayer identification number type (SSN or EIN).
Enter your taxpayer identification number.
Save the form.

By completing the W-9 form, you certify that you are a U.S. taxpayer.

How do I update my tax information?

Go to Settings > Tax Information.
Click on the Add Tax Form button.
Fill out the new form.

Once you submit the new form, your previous tax form will become inactive. You can review your previous tax forms in the Tax Information section.

I’m a non-US Person (W-8 BEN)

Who is considered a non-US Person?

A non-U.S. person is an individual or entity that does not meet the criteria for being a U.S. person for tax purposes. This includes:

Non-U.S. Citizens – Individuals who are not U.S. citizens, meaning they were neither born in the U.S. nor have obtained citizenship through naturalization.
Non-U.S. Residents – Individuals who do not hold a Green Card and do not meet the IRS’s substantial presence test.
Foreign Entities – Corporations, partnerships, trusts, or estates organized or created under foreign laws.

How do I submit my tax information?

Go to Settings > Tax Information.
Click on the Add Tax Form button.
Verify your tax residence information.
If filing as an individual, enter your tax residence information. If filing as a corporation or partnership, enter your address of incorporation.
Provide the Legal Name of the Taxpayer.
Select your Federal Tax Classification from the dropdown menu.
If you're an individual, enter your date of birth.
Select your country of citizenship from the dropdown menu.
Enter your taxpayer identification number.
Save the form.

By completing the W-8BEN form, you certify that you are a non-U.S. taxpayer.

How do I update my tax information?

Go to Settings > Tax Information.
Click on the Add Tax Form button.
Fill out the new form.

Once you submit the new form, your previous tax form will become inactive. You can review your previous tax forms in the Tax Information section.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a W-9 and a W-8BEN form?

W-9 is for U.S. persons (citizens, residents, or entities) to provide their tax information. W-8BEN is for non-U.S. persons (foreign individuals or entities) to claim tax treaty benefits and certify their foreign status.

Why do I need to fill out these tax forms?

We are required by law to collect this information to determine your tax status and comply with local regulations. You must have a form on file before you can withdraw earnings or accept new offers on goLance.

What happens if I don’t submit a tax form?

If you don’t submit the required form by October 1st, 2024, you won’t be able to withdraw your earnings or accept new offers on goLance until the form is completed.

I’m not a U.S. citizen or resident, which form should I complete?

If you are a non-U.S. person, meaning you do not hold U.S. citizenship or residency, you should complete the W-8BEN form.

How do I know if I’m a U.S. person?

You are a U.S. person if you are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), or meet the IRS’s substantial presence test. U.S. entities such as corporations and partnerships also count as U.S. persons.

What is the substantial presence test?

This is an IRS test that calculates how much time you’ve spent in the U.S. over the last three years. If the total is 183 days or more, you may be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes.

Do I need to provide my Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

Yes, if you are a U.S. person, you will need to provide either your SSN or EIN when filling out the W-9 form. Non-U.S. persons may need to provide a taxpayer identification number for their home country when filling out the W-8BEN form.

Can I update my tax information later?

Yes, you can update your tax information at any time by submitting a new form in your account settings. The new form will replace the old one, but you’ll still be able to view the previous submitted forms.

Where can I find the tax forms in my goLance account?

You can find and submit the tax forms under Settings > Tax Information in your goLance account.

Is my Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) safe?

Yes, your SSN or TIN is encrypted in our systems to ensure your personal information stays secure and protected. We take data privacy very seriously.

Why do I need to update my tax form if I’ve already completed it?

We need to confirm that your information on file is accurate. Either an important detail is missing from your original W-8BEN or W-9, such as confirmation of where your services are performed, or you’ve changed your address without updating the form. Please update your tax form to ensure all details are correct.

What is the IRS?

The IRS stands for the Internal Revenue Service, which is the U.S. government agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws.

What is an SSN?

SSN stands for Social Security Number, which is a unique number issued to U.S. citizens and residents by the Social Security Administration for tax and identification purposes.

What is a TIN?

TIN stands for Taxpayer Identification Number, which is used by the IRS to track tax obligations. This could be a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals, or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for businesses.

What is an EIN?

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number, which is a unique number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity for tax purposes.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Have a TIN?

Provide your tax identification number. This is the number you use for reporting taxes in your country and may be referred to by a different name, such as a PAN number in India, for example. Some countries may also use a National ID number. For more details, visit.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Tax Form?

If you've made a mistake while filling up the form, please submit a new one with the correct details. The new form will replace the old one.