US company hiring a foreign independent contractor living abroad. The US company doesn't need to report the payments they made to the foreign independent contractor to the IRS if they are not US-sourced income. The company also doesn't need to withhold any tax.
Foreign independent contractors must submit IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E to certify their foreign status and claim any applicable tax treaty benefits. The US company may also need to file Form 1099-NEC if certain conditions are met, though this is more common for domestic contractors.
Foreign vendors do not complete the Substitute Form W-9; foreign persons or entities must submit one of five available forms. The vendor must determine the one most appropriate to their United States tax status for reportable transactions.
Hiring international independent contractors can be a simple solution for meeting your global staffing needs, but only if you thoroughly understand how to work with contractors in their host country in order to minimize the risk of employee misclassification.
However, the IRS doesn't require a company to withhold taxes or report any income from an international contractor if the contractor is not a U.S. citizen and the services provided are outside the U.S. filing forms 1099 is required if: The contractor is located internationally but is a U.S. citizen.
Working overseas as a contractor offers a multitude of benefits beyond just financial compensation. Contractors have the opportunity to explore new cultures, meet people from different backgrounds, and savor exotic cuisines.
However, the IRS doesn't require a company to withhold taxes or report any income from an international contractor if the contractor is not a U.S. citizen and the services provided are outside the U.S. filing forms 1099 is required if: The contractor is located internationally but is a U.S. citizen.
Yes, US companies can hire foreign freelancers, which is another way to phrase the question Can a US company hire a foreign independent contractor? The key is ensuring that the relationship is correctly structured to avoid any legal pitfalls, particularly concerning tax obligations and employment classifications.