Who is require to withhold? • Withholding Agent.The Tax Department is streamlining withholding tax and wage reporting forms and Web File applications. Paying international contractors requires quick and compliant payments. Learn payment options and the importance of ensuring compliance. Paying foreign independent contractors can be done in a few different ways. The W8BEN and W8BENE forms are essential for foreign independent contractors and businesses. You have no obligation to withhold taxes for your foreign independent contractors. Since foreign contractors pay income taxes in their own country, US companies likely won't need to withhold taxes from payments made to them⁶. Setting aside the work permit issue, a foreign contractor working in the US should pay tax on his US sourced income.