Skip to main content

Requesting Tenant W-9s for Security Deposit Accounts

Learn how to request a digital W-9 from your tenant via email using ZEscrow. Follow our guide to securely collect tax info and fund your security deposit accounts at Hingham Savings.

Written by Brian Reardon
Updated today

When opening a security deposit sub-account in ZEscrow, you must provide a completed W-9 for the beneficiary (tenant) to ensure proper tax reporting on earned interest. If you do not have a physical copy, you can request an electronic signature via DocuSign directly through the ZEscrow platform.

Step 1: Send the W-9 Request

  1. During the account opening process in ZEscrow, select "Email W-9 to Beneficiary."

  2. Enter the tenant’s Name and Email Address.

  3. Click Continue.

    • Note: An electronic W-9 will be sent directly to the beneficiary via DocuSign.

Step 2: Retrieve the Completed Document

  1. Once the beneficiary signs the document, you will receive a notification email.

  2. Open the email and download the completed W-9 PDF to your computer.

Step 3: Upload the W-9 to the Sub-Account

Because of security protocols, the signed W-9 does not automatically "attach" itself to the account. You must upload it manually:

  1. Log in to ZEscrow and navigate to the Individual Tenant Account.

  2. On the left-hand menu, under Account Documents, select Complete > Manual Upload.

  3. Enter the required beneficiary details (Name, Address, and SSN).

  4. Upload the PDF you downloaded in Step 2 and click Continue.

Step 4: Fund the Account

  1. Once the upload is successful, select Transfer Funds (top right corner).

  2. Select the associated Master Account as the source and the Tenant Account as the destination.

  3. Processing Time: Funds typically transfer within one business evening. The status will update from Scheduled to Pending, and finally to Reconciled once complete.

Did this answer your question?