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Onboarding as a Contractor

This article walks you through how to get started on the platform as a brand new contractor.

Updated over 2 months ago

Follow these simple steps and you’ll be ready to receive payments from your client in 5 short minutes! Don’t worry if you’re asked for more details along the way — we’ll make sure you have everything you need to get set up smoothly.


Step 1: Create Your Account

You should have received an email invitation to get started from your client. To begin, simply click the link in the email and create your account.

Tip: If you're not able to find your invitation, you might need to check your spam folder!

  1. Secure Your Account

    • Start by entering your email address and creating a password. Make sure it’s strong enough to keep your account safe!

    • Click Continue to move forward.


Step 2: Choose Your Account Type

  1. Country of Incorporation:

    • Choose your country from the dropdown list — most of you will select the United States.

  2. Account Type:

    • Decide whether you’re registering as a Business (with an EIN) or an Individual (with an SSN).

  3. Click Continue once you’ve selected the option that fits you best.


Step 3: Add Your Business or Personal Information

You’ll be prompted for some key details about yourself or business so that we can securely identify you and properly account for your tax needs.

Tip: We takes your security seriously and your data is transmitted securely with encryption for your safety. You can learn more about our world-class security practices here.

For Business Accounts:

  • You’ll be asked for some important business details, like your legal name and tax info.

  • You’ll also need to provide the personal information of a business representative (such as the owner or authorized person). This includes their name, SSN, and other relevant details.

For Individual Accounts:

  • Enter your personal information, including your name, SSN, and address. Don’t worry if it takes a few minutes to complete — this information is essential for tax and compliance purposes.

Once you’ve entered everything, click Continue.


Step 4: Certify Your Taxpayer Information

  1. Review and Confirm:

    • Take a moment to double-check your taxpayer info (whether you entered your SSN or EIN).

    • You’ll need to certify that the information you provided is accurate. There may be a few extra boxes to tick, so make sure you read everything carefully.

Click Continue to move forward.


Step 5: Verify Your Tax ID

  1. Your tax information will now be verified automatically. This part is quick! Once the verification is complete, you’ll see a confirmation message letting you know everything is good to go.

Click Continue when prompted.


Step 6: Certify Your W-9 Information

  1. Review and Certify:

    • Confirm that your taxpayer information (EIN or SSN) is accurate.

    • Certify that:

      • The taxpayer identification number is correct.

      • You are not subject to backup withholding.

      • You are a U.S. citizen or resident.

      • No FATCA code applies to your account.

  2. Authorize Sharing:

    • Check the box to allow CLIENT to share your tax information with your payer(s) for tax reporting purposes.

Click Continue to move on.


Step 7: Consent to E-Delivery of Tax Forms

  1. Go Paperless:

    • Consent to receiving your tax documents electronically instead of in paper form.

    • Confirm that you have access to the necessary technology to view the documents (internet, email, etc.).

Check the box to agree and click Continue.


Step 8: Add Your Payout Method

Now it’s time to set up your payout method. There are two main ways to be paid, instant payouts to your debit card (learn more about that here) or direct deposit to your bank account.

Tip: After onboarding you can setup a free Wingspan Wallet business bank account and debit card.

  1. Choose Your Payment Speed:

    • First, decide how you want to receive your payments:

      • Instant to Debit Card (fee): Payments arrive immediately when sent.

      • Standard Bank Transfer (free): Payments take 2-5 business days.

  2. Link Your Bank:

    • After selecting your payment speed, choose how you’d like to link your bank:

      • Link via Plaid: Connect your bank securely by selecting your institution and logging in.

      • Manual Entry: If you prefer, you can manually enter your routing and account numbers.

Now, Click Continue after setting up your payout method and you're all set! Your ready to start receiving payouts from your client.


Common Questions

Questions About Getting Started

Does it cost me anything to use the service?

No, it is free for you to use to receive your payouts through normal bank transfers.

When will I receive payouts from my client?

Payouts will be processed our according to your client's payroll schedule. Please reach out to them for details.

Why do I have to provide my SSN, EIN or other information?

We collect critical information from you or your business to properly identify your tax obligations and verify your identity to ensure the safety and security of our platform. We use industry-leading security to keep your information secure.

Questions About Getting Paid

How long does it take to get paid?

Once an invoice moves into the “Deposited” status a standard payout typically takes 2-5 business days to arrive. You can request an Instant Payout that will arrive within 3-hours for a small fee as an alternative.

Additional Resources

What ways can I get paid through the platform?

Payments can be made to a bank account, debit card (via Instant Payouts) or your Wingspan Wallet.

Additional Resources

How do I change my payout method or update my direct deposit?

You can change your payout method anytime you’d like! Learn how here.

Can I split my pay across more than one bank account?

We are only able to pay out to one external bank account. In addition to that, you can split payments to your Wingspan Wallet and Tax Withholding accounts.

Additional Resources

What is Plaid? Is it safe to give my information to them?

Plaid is a platform that can securely connect to your banking institution to provide access to that information to a variety of apps or services like us. Many people use Plaid for convenience. The use of Plaid is not required to receive payment.

Additional Resources

Can I change the date I am paid?

Payout dates are set by your client. You can request an instant payout once an invoice has been processed.

Additional Resources

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