Form 1042-S: If your business pays a foreign contractor for services performed within the United States, and the income is U.S.-sourced, you must file Form 1042-S to report these payments to the IRS.
Do you issue a 1099 form to international contractors? You do not need to issue or collect Form 1099-NEC from your international contractor. Form 1099 is only used if the company and contractor are based in the U.S. Form W-8BEN declares the contractor's foreign status and will suffice.
A U.S. business payor making a compensation payment to a non-U.S. independent contractor must withhold an amount sufficient to ensure that at least 30% of the amount subsequently determined to be U.S.-source income is withheld.
US-based companies must collect specific tax forms based on the contractor's location. If you're hiring US contractors, use Form W-9. For foreign contractors, collect W-8BEN (individuals) or W-8BEN-E (entities). Non-US companies don't need to collect these forms.
Conversely, if the independent contractor is not a US person and did not perform any of their services within the US, you will not be required to issue Form 1099. Instead, the foreign contractor will have to complete and file Form W-8BEN.
Wire transfers are one of the best options when speed is paramount. If you need to make a payment quickly, a wire transfer is one of the quickest ways to make the funds available. While international transfers can take a few days, domestic transfers usually process within 24 hours.
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.
Today, it's possible to hire independent contractors from any part of the world, thanks to improvements in technology and communications. It's a great idea to consider Mexico if you're looking to expand your team. Its proximity and strong economic ties to the US are definite advantages.