# I am not a US citizen or US resident—why do I need to complete a Form W-8?

A W-8 form allows you to self-certify that you aren’t a U.S. Person and that you or your legal entity aren’t subject to U.S. taxation. The platforms you work with may need to collect a Form W-8 or Form W-9 to confirm your tax residency for 1099 reporting purposes. [Learn more about IRS tax classifications](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/classification-of-taxpayers-for-us-tax-purposes).
We recommend confirming your choice with your tax or legal advisor before finalizing your decision.
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*This article is neither legal advice nor tax advice. We recommend that you speak to your tax advisor with any questions or concerns around tax reporting.*