goLance requires all users to complete a tax form before they can withdraw earnings or accept new offers. The W-9 and W-8BEN are U.S. tax forms used to determine whether you are considered a U.S. or non-U.S. person for tax purposes. These forms help goLance comply with IRS and local regulatory requirements.
Important Requirements
You must have a completed tax form on file before you can:
Withdraw earnings from goLance.
Accept new offers.
Note: If you do not submit the required form, you may lose access to these features until the form is completed.
Which Tax Form Should I Complete?
Complete a W-9 Form If You Are a U.S. Person
Who Is Considered a U.S. Person?
A U.S. person includes:
U.S. citizens.
Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents).
Individuals who meet the IRS substantial presence test.
U.S. corporations, partnerships, LLCs, estates, or trusts.
U.S. citizens or residents living abroad.
What Is the Substantial Presence Test?
The IRS may consider you a U.S. resident for tax purposes if your physical presence in the U.S. reaches 183 days or more based on the following calculation:
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.
Complete a W-8BEN Form If You Are a Non-U.S. Person
Who Is Considered a Non-U.S. Person?
A non-U.S. person includes:
Individuals who are not U.S. citizens.
Individuals who do not hold a Green Card.
Individuals who do not meet the substantial presence test.
Foreign corporations, partnerships, trusts, or estates.
By completing the W-8BEN form, you certify that you are a non-U.S. taxpayer.
Managing Your Tax Forms
How to Submit Your Tax Form
Go to Account 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 are an individual, enter your date of birth.
Select your country of citizenship from the dropdown menu.
Enter your taxpayer identification number.
Save the form.
How to Update Your Tax Information
You can update your tax form at any time by following these steps:
Go to Account Settings > Tax Information.
Click Add Tax Form.
Complete and submit the new form.
Once submitted:
Your previous tax form will become inactive.
Previous forms will remain visible in your Tax Information section for your records.
Tax Form Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| IRS | Internal Revenue Service: The U.S. government agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws. |
| SSN | Social Security Number: Issued to U.S. citizens and residents for tax and identification purposes. |
| EIN | Employer Identification Number: Issued by the IRS to identify businesses for tax purposes. |
| TIN | Taxpayer Identification Number: Used to track tax obligations. Examples include an SSN (for individuals) and an EIN (for businesses). Note: Some countries use different names for their tax identification numbers. |
What if I don’t have a U.S. TIN?
Provide the identification number used in your country of residence for tax reporting. Depending on your country, this may be called a:
PAN number
National ID number
Local tax identification number
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a W-9 and a W-8BEN?
These forms certify your tax status:
W-9: For U.S. persons.
W-8BEN: For non-U.S. persons.
Why do I need to complete a tax form?
goLance is legally required to collect tax information to comply with IRS and local regulations. You must complete a tax form before withdrawing earnings or accepting new offers.
What happens if I don’t submit a tax form?
If you do not submit the required form, you will not be able to withdraw earnings or accept new offers until the form is completed.
How do I know if I’m a U.S. person?
You are generally considered a U.S. person if you are a U.S. citizen, hold a Green Card, meet the substantial presence test, or operate a U.S.-registered entity.
Do I need to provide my SSN or EIN?
Yes, if you are completing a W-9 form. Non-U.S. persons completing a W-8BEN may need to provide a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from their country of residence.
Is my SSN or TIN secure?
Yes. Your information is encrypted and securely stored within goLance's systems. We take data privacy and security seriously.
Why am I being asked to update my tax form?
You may need to update your form because information is missing, your address has changed, additional tax details are required, or your original form requires updated confirmation.
Can I correct a mistake on my tax form?
Yes. If you made a mistake, simply submit a new tax form with the correct information. The new submission will automatically replace your previous form.
Where can I find my tax forms?
You can access your tax forms by navigating to Account Settings > Tax Information.
Reminder: Completing and keeping your tax information up to date helps prevent delays with withdrawals and account activity.
Need Help? We hope this guide was helpful! If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact our support team through the goLance chatbot. Our team is happy to provide further guidance.