Marshallarts
09-12-2009, 11:39 PM
I am a freelance DP with a small camera package, I also do a lot of AC work. 90% of my work I always considered myself a 1099. That is I get a call, take a job, do my work, then afterwards write an invoice, wait a few weeks, and hopefully get paid. There is no tax taken out and at the end of the year I don't get a tax return from uncle sam because I still need to pay my taxes (in addition I make quarterly payments).
A few jobs, however, I am asked to fill out W4 paperwork and I always know that means I am going through payroll, must do the time card thing, and have tax taken out. I also understand doing so I am contributing to my future unemployment insurance fund through that company.
A recent job presented me with an option. I had worked for them in that past as a 1099. This time they asked me to fill out a W4 or a W9. It appears they want me on payroll. But I've never been given an option to do a W9. After asking what that means it sounds just like my previous jobs as a 1099 although I never needed to fill out W9 paperwork.
I went ahead and filled out a W4 because I thought at least that way I could contribute to my unemployment insurance benefits which don't accrue with my 1099 earnings. But this begs the question, "what's the benefit of doing W9 if you have an option to go W4 and contribute to unemployment insurance on someone else's company?"
A few jobs, however, I am asked to fill out W4 paperwork and I always know that means I am going through payroll, must do the time card thing, and have tax taken out. I also understand doing so I am contributing to my future unemployment insurance fund through that company.
A recent job presented me with an option. I had worked for them in that past as a 1099. This time they asked me to fill out a W4 or a W9. It appears they want me on payroll. But I've never been given an option to do a W9. After asking what that means it sounds just like my previous jobs as a 1099 although I never needed to fill out W9 paperwork.
I went ahead and filled out a W4 because I thought at least that way I could contribute to my unemployment insurance benefits which don't accrue with my 1099 earnings. But this begs the question, "what's the benefit of doing W9 if you have an option to go W4 and contribute to unemployment insurance on someone else's company?"