Why is a freelance contract asking for my date of birth?

May 5, 2017 8:02 AM

I'm going to be doing some freelance editorial work for a company and the contact person asked me to send her my basic info for the contract: address, SSN and date of birth. I don't want to give my date of birth. Why are they asking?
posted by gigondas to Work & Money (10 answers total)

I don't know why this person is asking for your date of birth, but in situations like this where someone is asking for personal information that I do not think is necessary, I simply leave it blank. Then, one of two things will happen. Either they will ignore it and move on or they will ask me for it again. At that point I ask why they need it. Then, depending on the reason I either give it to them, make up a date or tell them no.
posted by AugustWest at 8:28 AM on May 5, 2017 [16 favorites]

Is the company trying to complete an I-9 verification form as part of your 1099 paperwork?
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:31 AM on May 5, 2017 [7 favorites]

There's a lot of misinformation and confusion about 1099 contractors out there so it's possible that they think they need that information in order to make sure they do the tax documents correctly.
posted by Candleman at 8:47 AM on May 5, 2017

Maybe they're using it to help distinguish you from other possible people with the same name?

Also, as a freelancer, you can get an EIN from the US government so you don't have to give your SSN out.
posted by hydra77 at 9:05 AM on May 5, 2017 [8 favorites]

What I meant above, is that it's probably standard procedure for them to ask for a DOB in case they have two vendors or employees with the same or similar names. Not that you may or may not have a common name. It's just an added layer of protection/identification for them.
posted by hydra77 at 9:08 AM on May 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

Or they're going to run a background check on you. Seems over the top for editorial work, but I have no idea what kind of company this is.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 9:13 AM on May 5, 2017 [2 favorites]

Point of clarification: Form I-9 is for employees and requires a birthdate; Form W-9 is for contractors and does not require a birthdate (though they may need one for another purpose).

If you're going to be paid as an independent contractor (i.e. not an employee; no tax withholding; no W-2; you may get a 1099-MISC depending on the specific circumstances), you could preemptively send them a W-9 in response to this request: "Hi [contact person], I've attached a completed Form W-9 for your reference. Please let me know if you need any further information. Thanks, [gigondas]"
posted by melissasaurus at 9:45 AM on May 5, 2017 [11 favorites]

Employers ask DOB because it makes it easier to do a criminal background check. That's the main reason and it is perfectly legal. However, they can't discriminate on the basis of age, not that you are ever likely to prove it.

AugustWest had a good answer. Leave it blank. If they come back and ask again, then you can decide how important this is to you.
posted by JackFlash at 11:19 AM on May 5, 2017

Another angle: It takes three pieces of info to confirm an identity. It does not have to be these three, but it does take three. Getting only two can lead to lots of mix ups.

They might be going with these three because their experience suggests they are the most commonly available and most people cooperate.
posted by Michele in California at 12:49 PM on May 5, 2017

Also, as a freelancer, you can get an EIN from the US government so you don't have to give your SSN out.

Seconding this recommendation. It's relatively simple and provides piece of mind.
posted by yerfatma at 1:32 PM on May 5, 2017 [2 favorites]