The IRS requires a flat 30% withholding on ALL types of payments to foreign national individuals UNLESS: The individual has a U.S. tax identification number (SSN or ITIN) and qualifies for a tax reduction under the tax treaty between the U.S. and their country of tax residency.
While this opens doors to diverse talent and skill sets, it also introduces unique challenges in terms of tax compliance. One critical aspect of this compliance involves Form 1099, which US-based businesses may need to issue to foreign contractors for reporting payments made during the tax year.
Yes! Paypal is available in over 200 different countries, giving companies the option to make cross-border payments and transfers via the app or website at PayPal. However, the process differs slightly depending on whether or not both the sender and recipient have a PayPal account.
Generally, the steps to hiring a foreign contractor are similar to hiring an independent contractor from the US. The differences lie in the laws you'll need to be compliant with, including both labor laws and relevant tax regulations. You're not just subject to the laws of the US.