Instructions and information for UT Austin Payee Information Form (PIF) (Substitute forms W-9 and W-8)

Purpose of Form: The University of Texas must obtain your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) because federal law requires the university to report certain payments to the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, the State of Texas requires the university to collect certain other information on United States entities to satisfy state law requirements.

Specific Instructions

Section 1: Contact Information

Line 1– Refer to line 1 under Specific Instructions for IRS Form W-9 instructions on the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF) form for detailed instructions.

Line 2 - Refer to line 2 under Specific Instructions for IRS Form W-9 instructions on the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF) form for detailed instructions.

Line 3 - Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns.

Line 4 - Enter your city, state, and ZIP code

Line 5 – Enter contact phone number

Line 6 – Enter contact email address

Line 7 - United States individuals/entities only. Refer to line 4 under Specific Instructions for IRS Form W-9 instructions on the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF) form for detailed instructions.

Line 8 - Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB): The State of Texas encourages state agencies like the university to utilize HUB. If you are a United States individual or entity, you or your firm qualifies if 51% owned by a person or persons who have been historically underutilized because of their identification as a member of certain groups: Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Native Americans, or Women-any ethnicity. Inquiries concerning HUB certification should contact the UT Austin HUB/SB Program at hub@austin.utexas.edu, 512-471-2851.

Line 9 – Enter the name and email address of the person at UT that you are conducting business.

Section 2: Status

Select only one box based on the Name provided in Section 1, line 1:

  1. If United States Individual/Entity box is selected, then complete all 5 sections on page 1 of the PIF. There is no need to complete the following pages of the IRS Form W-8BEN nor IRS Form W-8 BEN-E.
  2. If foreign individual box is selected after completing sections 1, 2, and 3 of page 1 PIF, then complete page 2 of the PIF for the IRS Form W-8BEN. For detailed assistance to complete Form W-8BEN, go to Form W-8 BEN (PDF) instructions (Note: A readable scan of your government issued ID such as Passport or Driver’s License is required.  Also, if you have been issued a U.S. SSN and/or EAD Card, provide a scanned copy of these documents.)
  3. If foreign entity box is selected after completing sections 1, 2, and 3 of page 1 of PIF, then complete pages 2-3 of PIF for the IRS Form W-8 BEN-E and for detailed assistance to complete Form W-8 BEN-E, go to Form W-8 BEN (PDF) instructions.

Section 3: Taxpayer Identification number

The correct TIN depends on the federal tax status of the Payee and may be either a Social Security Number (SSN) that has been issued by the Social Security Administration, Employer Identification Number (EIN) or, for foreign individuals residing but not working inside the United States, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). A foreign individual residing outside the United States without a SSN or ITIN may provide the Foreign Tax Number issued by the individual’s country of citizenship or permanent residency. A foreign entity without a United States issued Employer Identification Number (EIN) may provide the Foreign Tax Number issued by the entity’s country of organization or incorporation. 

To prevent payments from being subject to backup withholding, you must provide a correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in the appropriate box listed. A TIN is considered incorrect if the name and TIN combination does not match or cannot be found on IRS or Social Security Administration (SSA) records. Exemptions: See the Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF) form for detailed instructions. If you elect to provide the incorrect TIN or no TIN, then federal law requires UT to pay 76% of the amount owing to you and 24% directly to the US Treasury, on your behalf.

Disclosure of your Social Security number is required and will be used to help the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts administer the state's tax laws and for other purposes. See Op Tex. Att'y Gen. No. H-1255 (1978). This disclosure requirement has been adopted under the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.CA sec. 552a(note)(West 1977), the Tax Reform Act of 1976 (42 U.S.CA sec. 405(c)(2)(C) (West 1992), TEX. GOVT CODE ANN. sec . 403.055 (Vernon 2005) and TEX. GOVT CODE ANN. sec. 403.056 (Vernon 2005).

Section 4: Ownership Code

United States individuals/entities only. Please check only one box next to the appropriate ownership code that applies to you or your business and enter additional information as requested in this section. The Secretary of State's office may be contacted at 512-463-5555 for information regarding Texas file numbers.

Individual Recipient and Sole Proprietor must provide a scanned image of social security card or government issued ID (Driver’s License or Passport).