The W-9, and why payouts pause

A business owner has to have a signed W-9 on file before the program can send them payouts. If the W-9 is missing, or if it has been marked out of date, owner payouts are paused until a current one is signed.

This most often happens after a business changes its legal name or address. The system asks for a fresh signature, because the old form no longer matches.

Signing again releases the paused payouts automatically. Nothing is lost while it's paused; it's held, not cancelled.

Worker gift cards are not affected by the W-9 status. Only owner payouts are.

About the W-9

Business owners sign a W-9 inside the app before they can receive payouts. It's a standard US tax form, and it's signed electronically, so there's nothing to print or mail.

The signed document is stored securely by the platform, and the owner can view it later.

If the business's name or address changes, the system asks for a fresh signature and pauses owner payouts until it's signed. Re-signing releases them.

Workers don't sign a W-9. Only business owners do, because only owners receive the larger payouts.