Model
itzmelissaxo
Posts: 1
Bayport, New York, US
Hey, question..?
is it normal for a company to ask for your license and to fill out a w-2 form and send it back through email? The contract part is understandable but just doing this for the first time and was nervous about putting social security number on w-2 form. Any answers would help!
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Melissa Erickson wrote:
Hey, question..?
is it normal for a company to ask for your license and to fill out a w-2 form and send it back through email? The contract part is understandable but just doing this for the first time and was nervous about putting social security number on w-2 form. Any answers would help! To me asking for liscence and SIN is totally abonormal
Photographer
Mark
Posts: 2977
New York, New York, US
well it is standard procedure when hiring these days to verify with 2 forms of ID. but I would be suspicious if I didnt meet the employer at first. You could always make a typo or two - send them the wrong info by accident and if they are legit say ooops
Photographer
A-M-P
Posts: 18465
Orlando, Florida, US
If its a legit agency they will ask you for these things. They are indeed paying you when they get you the jobs so they need that information for their books and for when they send you a 1099 at the end of the year. When you sign with an agency there will be a contract and a W-9 to fill out that is standard procedure. Due your due diligence to make sure the employer is legit before sending the info over. I'm assuming you are signing with a promo agency. If it's just a single job from a random internet stranger then yeah I wouldn't do it. If you don't want to give your SS get a TAX ID # for your modeling business. http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Bus … IN)-Online
Photographer
A-M-P
Posts: 18465
Orlando, Florida, US
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
To me asking for liscence and SIN is totally abonormal How many jobs in the entertainment industry have you have?
It is not abnormal for an employer to ask for a W-9 to be filled out. Keyword here employer (legit company or agency)
It's abnormal if it was a random from MM asking for it.
Model
Lucy Cain
Posts: 55
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
A-M-P wrote:
How many jobs in the entertainment industry have you have?
It is not abnormal for an employer to ask for a W-9 to be filled out. Keyword here employer (legit company or agency)
It's abnormal if it was a random from MM asking for it. In Canada if it's a job application it's highly discouraged to ask for someone's SIN, but once they have the job they have to provide it... so it would depend on whether or not OP has already gotten the job if that was normal or not.
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/ … vide.shtml
I'm assuming the licence is a driver's licence being used for ID purposes. I wouldn't have a problem showing my ID, after all, it's proof of age, which in this industry is often important.
Photographer
Loki Studio
Posts: 3523
Royal Oak, Michigan, US
Its a federal law that every legit company must have your W-2 with SS or Tax ID to pay you. If you think this is a huge risk to you, then form a company and get an IRS tax id separate from your personal SS.
Model
Elisa 1
Posts: 3344
Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom
I don't know about there but it's normal here.
But it may be unusual by email.
If in doubt ring the company to ensure the request has come from them.
One has to be wary about giving any requests for such info by email. You have to ensure that the request has actually come from the company and that the company is legit. But if it is legit then you will have to provide such information at some stage.
Photographer
Digitoxin
Posts: 13456
Denver, Colorado, US
Loki Studio wrote:
Its a federal law that every legit company must have your W-2 with SS or Tax ID to pay you. If you think this is a huge risk to you, then form a company and get an IRS tax id separate from your personal SS. This is correct (its actually a w-9 not a w-2, I believe but that's splitting hairs).
Every company I have ever been a vendor with or an employee for collects this information...... Every one. Even if the gig is not over $600 (I think), they still want the information for tax reporting purposes.
OP, if you are worried about this stuff, get an EIN. Follow the steps on the IRS website and be fully prepared for any tax impacts (positive or negative).
Photographer
Nico Simon Princely
Posts: 1972
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
A-M-P wrote:
How many jobs in the entertainment industry have you have?
It is not abnormal for an employer to ask for a W-9 to be filled out. Keyword here employer (legit company or agency)
It's abnormal if it was a random from MM asking for it. Not true. It perfectly normal for any business and a business (such as those on here) can be a single photographer or a small business. All need the correct information for taxes, to verify the legal age of the model.
And and the company I work for both require I.D. SS# and if shooting a model release and if nudes a 2257 compliance form.
The SS# sometimes can slide on smaller paying gigs as some places don't worry about small payouts.
Photographer
A-M-P
Posts: 18465
Orlando, Florida, US
Nico Simon Princely wrote:
Not true. It perfectly normal for any business and a business (such as those on here) can be a single photographer or a small business. All need the correct information for taxes, to verify the legal age of the model.
And and the company I work for both require I.D. SS# and if shooting a model release and if nudes a 2257 compliance form.
The SS# sometimes can slide on smaller paying gigs as some places don't worry about small payouts. I said abnormal for a MM folk to ask for a W-9 to be filled out. I said nothing about showing ID that is not what my post is talking about, I'm specifically talking about filling out a w-9 with your tax ID or SS#.
Please read what I wrote before saying not true.
Is definitely not the norm for a freelance artist to ask a model to fill out a W-9 it might happen on occasion but is not the norm.
A Agency or Company is perfectly normal and standard practice for the talent to fill out a w-9 form with their tax id or SS#
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A-M-P wrote:
How many jobs in the entertainment industry have you have?
It is not abnormal for an employer to ask for a W-9 to be filled out. Keyword here employer (legit company or agency)
It's abnormal if it was a random from MM asking for it. *facepalm*
I just gave my opinion.
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lucy Cain wrote:
In Canada if it's a job application it's highly discouraged to ask for someone's SIN, but once they have the job they have to provide it... so it would depend on whether or not OP has already gotten the job if that was normal or not.
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/ … vide.shtml
I'm assuming the licence is a driver's licence being used for ID purposes. I wouldn't have a problem showing my ID, after all, it's proof of age, which in this industry is often important. +1
Photographer
A-M-P
Posts: 18465
Orlando, Florida, US
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
*facepalm*
I just gave my opinion. There used to be a rule on MM about giving misinformation in the industry forums. I'm not sure if it's still enforced telling someone something is abnormal in an aspect of the industry where one hasn't had the experience or has encounter the situation as such as working for a promo agency can cost the OP a perfectly legit opportunity.
Model
fluffycakes
Posts: 446
Chicago, Illinois, US
A-M-P wrote:
There used to be a rule on MM about giving misinformation in the industry forums. I'm not sure if it's still enforced telling someone something is abnormal in an aspect of the industry where one hasn't had the experience or has encounter the situation as such as working for a promo agency can cost the OP a perfectly legit opportunity. Oh relax now. She began with "to me" that clearly denotes an opinion, not a fact, or information from any personal experience she had.
I swear y'all have a thing for jumping down peoples throats sometimes...
Edit: And to stay on topic; Personally, I would not send my SSN through email ever. I'd call them if I were in your place. The only W2 I filled out for modelling was after the job on site.
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A-M-P wrote:
There used to be a rule on MM about giving misinformation in the industry forums. I'm not sure if it's still enforced telling someone something is abnormal in an aspect of the industry where one hasn't had the experience or has encounter the situation as such as working for a promo agency can cost the OP a perfectly legit opportunity. Better contact a Mod!
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
fluffycakes wrote:
Oh relax now. She began with "to me" that clearly denotes an opinion, not a fact, or information from any personal experience she had.
I swear y'all have a thing for jumping down peoples throats sometimes...
Edit: And to stay on topic; Personally, I would not send my SSN through email ever. I'd call them if I were in your place. The only W2 I filled out for modelling was after the job on site. Thank you fluffycakes! Opinion and misinformation are two different things.
Im not purposely trying to deter models from jobs, aha.
Photographer
Hugh Alison
Posts: 2125
Aberystwyth, Wales, United Kingdom
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
*facepalm*
I just gave my opinion. Quite a good general principle to see if the person asking lives in the same country - laws and customs can be rather different.
Wait until you see the answers to someone from the UK asking about model releases - or alcohol - or gun laws... 
Photographer
A-M-P
Posts: 18465
Orlando, Florida, US
fluffycakes wrote:
Oh relax now. She began with "to me" that clearly denotes an opinion, not a fact, or information from any personal experience she had.
I swear y'all have a thing for jumping down peoples throats sometimes...
Edit: And to stay on topic; Personally, I would not send my SSN through email ever. I'd call them if I were in your place. The only W2 I filled out for modelling was after the job on site. I'm perfectly relax thank you.
I personally wouldn't give my opinion in a field I had no past experiences in. But to each their own you guys have fun in the forum.
Oh by the way you are not filling a w-2 is a w-9.
a w-2 is the form that is sent to you at the end of the year by your employer if you are employed. If you are a independednt contractor like all models are you receive a 1099 at the end of the year and the form you fill in before a company pays you is a w-9.
I have been contracted by companies and I have had no problem filling out a w-9 with my tax ID and emailing it. So far every gig has been legit. Just make your due diligence that the company you think you are going to be working for is legit. Like I said above if you are afraid of using your SS# just get a Tax ID for your modeling business.
Model
Laura UnBound
Posts: 28745
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
Thank you fluffycakes! Opinion and misinformation are two different things.
Im not purposely trying to deter models from jobs, aha. No, they're not. Your opinion is misinformed, and when you offer it, you offer misinformation.
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Laura UnBound wrote:
No, they're not. Your opinion is misinformed, and when you offer it, you offer misinformation. Thanks so much for YOUR opinion Laura.
In MY experience it seemed off.
I have no clue as to why my opinion is of such concern to you.
EDIT: I have had bad experiences with a similar process. Therefore for me at least, I only give my SIN # in person to the employer once I arrive at the job/first day of work.
Photographer
KungPaoChic
Posts: 4221
West Palm Beach, Florida, US
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
Thanks so much for YOUR opinion Laura.
In MY experience it seemed off.
I have no clue as to why my opinion is of such concern to you.
EDIT: I have had bad experiences with a similar process. Therefore for me at least, I only give my SIN # in person to the employer once I arrive at the job/first day of work. How old do you have to be to have legal employment in Canada?
As it were this is not an opinion, it is an information thread.
I have subcontract for several companies and all my paperwork was done via email -- and they are legit companies one of them does all the payroll for SAG and AFTRA.
If you don't know it is probably best to be quiet and listen to people that actually have experience or know what the law is.
Model
Lanna_
Posts: 831
Seattle, Washington, US
Promo modeling in the USA - Yes, it is normal to fill out some tax forms before working.
W9 - independent contractor, you'll be responsible for your own taxes
W2 - hired as an employee, they deduct taxes from your check
If you're being booked through a promo company you'll be needing to fill out one of these forms. W9 is more common, there are a handful that use W2.
Sometimes you can manage to book direct with a company/smaller business and they'll pay cash or check the day of, no forms needed. But that's the minority of the time for me.
Many promo companies take on large accounts (Chevy, Progressive Insurance, Heineken, etc) and they're not just going to be lax about payroll. There (should) be a documented paper trail about where their money goes.
If you're working regularly with a larger company, you can even get direct deposit.
Tip: keep a log book of miles you drive, tolls, etc for jobs. You'll be glad you did when tax season rolls around.
If you're still uneasy, just check online for reviews about that promo company. Some are great to work for, others really are just a rip off. Do your homework.
Photographer
ChadAlan
Posts: 4254
Los Angeles, California, US
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
Thanks so much for YOUR opinion Laura.
In MY experience it seemed off.
I have no clue as to why my opinion is of such concern to you.
EDIT: I have had bad experiences with a similar process. Therefore for me at least, I only give my SIN # in person to the employer once I arrive at the job/first day of work. KungPaoChic wrote:
How old do you have to be to have legal employment in Canada?
As it were this is not an opinion, it is an information thread.
I have subcontract for several companies and all my paperwork was done via email -- and they are legit companies one of them does all the payroll for SAG and AFTRA.
If you don't know it is probably best to be quiet and listen to people that actually have experience or know what the law is. I probably give mine out too freely. No one wants my identity.
If someone a client wants to give me money and they need my SS, I'll fill out the form.
Model
Payton Hailey
Posts: 939
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
KungPaoChic wrote:
How old do you have to be to have legal employment in Canada?
As it were this is not an opinion, it is an information thread.
I have subcontract for several companies and all my paperwork was done via email -- and they are legit companies one of them does all the payroll for SAG and AFTRA.
If you don't know it is probably best to be quiet and listen to people that actually have experience or know what the law is. The legal working age in Canada varies from province to province and also depends on industry.
I've been legally working since 13.
Photographer
KungPaoChic
Posts: 4221
West Palm Beach, Florida, US
Cayleigh Chaos wrote:
The legal working age in Canada varies from province to province and also depends on industry.
I've been legally working since 13. As a model for an agency?
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