I did some research and learned the following: If you are the payer and you're working with an independent contractor who is providing services to you, you need to send them a 1099-MISC form during tax-season. This, I knew.
What I didn't know is that there is also a
W9 form that you send to the independent contractor as well. This happens before they provide services to you. From what I've read, the W9 is either optional, or simply not 'pushed' as much. It's purpose is to simply have the independent contractor provide their name, taxpayer ID (usually their social security number), address, etc. so it can be put aside and filed with the IRS later. Why this is asked in such an official manner, and not simply delayed until the 1099 is sent out, is beyond me.
I gleaned this information from this link, mostly, and a few others that can be found by branching off and scouring the same area of the site:
Frequently Asked Questions - 12.2 Form 1099–MISC & Independent Contractors