Tax Basics for Startups

Per Diem Rates from the U.S. General Services Administration

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Rates are set by fiscal year, effective October 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States ("CONUS Rates").

Backup Withholding


P.L. 115-97 lowered the backup withholding rate to 24% for tax years beginning after 2017 and before 2026. Wages and pensions are not subject to backup withholding.

Banks and other businesses that pay recipients certain kinds of income must file Form 1099 with the IRS. These payments are generally not subject to tax withholding. However, backup withholding is required in certain situations and 24% of the amount paid must be withheld.

Payments Subject to Backup Withholding

Backup withholding can apply to most kinds of payments reported on Form 1099. These include:
  • Interest payments (Form 1099-INT)
  • Dividends (Form 1099-DIV)
  • Patronage dividends, but only if at least half of the payment is in cash ( Form 1099-PATR)
  • Rents, profits, or other income (Form 1099-MISC)
  • Commissions, fees, or other payments for work performed as an independent contractor (Form 1099-MISC)
  • Payments by brokers and barter exchange transactions (Form 1099-B)
  • Payments by fishing boat operators, but only the part that is in cash and that represents a share of the proceeds of the catch (Form 1099-MISC)
  • Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions (Form 1099-K)
  • Royalty payments (Form 1099-MISC)

Backup withholding also may apply to gambling winnings (Form W-2G), if the winnings are not subject to regular gambling withholding.

Withholding Rules

When you open a new bank account, make an investment, or begin to receive payments reportable on Form 1099, you must furnish your taxpayer identification number (TIN) to the bank or other business.

In some cases, you must furnish your TIN in writing and certify under penalties of perjury that it is correct. The bank or business will give you Form W-9, Request for taxpayer identification number and Certification, or a similar form.

You must enter your TIN on the form and, if your account or investment will earn interest or dividends, you must also certify that you are not subject to backup withholding due to previous underreporting of interest and dividends.

The payer must withhold at a flat 24% rate in the following situations:

  • You do not give the payer your taxpayer identification number in the required manner.
  • The IRS notifies the payer that the taxpayer identification number you gave is incorrect.
  • The IRS notifies the payer to start withholding on interest or dividends because you have underreported interest or dividends on your income tax return. The IRS will do this only after it has mailed you four notices over at least a 120-day period.
  • You fail to certify that you are not subject to backup withholding.

How to Prevent or Stop Backup Withholding

If you receive a "B" notice from a payer notifying you that the taxpayer identification number you gave is incorrect, you usually can prevent backup withholding from starting or stop backup withholding once it has begun by giving the payer your correct name and TIN.

You must certify that the TIN you give is correct. If you receive a second "B" notice from that payer, you will need to provide the payer with a copy of your Social Security card that shows your correct name and Social Security number.

If you have been notified that you underreported interest or dividends, you must request and receive a determination from the IRS to prevent backup withholding from starting or to stop backup withholding once it has begun.

Backup Withholding Credit

If you had income tax withheld under the backup withholding rule, take credit for it on your tax return for the year in which you received the income.

If you operate a partnership or S corporation, any monies withheld due to an incorrect name or taxpayer identification number can be claimed only by the partners and shareholders on their individual income tax returns for their share of the withheld amounts. The monies are not refundable to the partnership or S corporation.

Avoid costly penalties!

Use the IRS Online Tax Calendar
to check filing and deposit deadlines.