Content question: SSNs on model releases

[serenity]

Originally Posted by furrygirl

On the model release I have all of my models sign, which was written by a lawyer, one of the fields is their social security number. I have a new interested girl (who is on other sites and I know is a "legit" model) who does not want to use her SSN, and says she has two valid IDs without her SSN. Since I doubt I'll be paying her more than $600 a year, is there an actual good reason to insist on SSNs or SINs on model releases?

A model release is there to protect you and the model. Her SSN is not needed for that purpose. We do not ask for SSN of any of the models we are currently shooting. We recently had our releases redone to cover all contingencies. I think the best advice is to cover yourself for 2257 with all the correct id's etc. If you end up using this model all the time, and you need to issue tax docs, you can always get her SSN then.

[Linkster]

The correct interpretation would be that they are an independent contractor - however you need to have that in your contract to ensure the IRS cannot come back and saythey were an employee - and therefore you would not have to have a W-4 or I-9. This would also get rid of any requirement to have the SSN - however keep in mind that a lot of states use the SSN as the DL number and you would have to show that number(if they are using that as their ID) so in those states it would be a moot point.
Juggernaut - Im not sure why they would have both classifications in those contracts as you cant be both - there are two other classifications as well that I cant remember the names of - but you cant be an employee and an independent contractor for the same job.