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Many US companies are expanding their services. They may need to hire foreign contractors for various specialized tasks. They can help with all kinds of work they do. But it's a big choice to hire and pay these international contractors.
With so many ways to pay these days, how do you decide what’s best for you? Don’t worry - we’re here to help.
In this article, we'll explain how US companies can pay international independent contractors and also talk about how Wise Business could be a good option for you.
Looking to send and receive business payments at low cost?
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There are many different ways to pay foreign contractors. These include mass payment software, wire transfers, freelance sites, and business accounts like Wise Business.
But first, we need to talk through a tedious but critical aspect of payment: taxes. Taxes and other deductions must be withheld from all foreign contractors. The same goes for US contractors. It doesn’t matter which service you choose - you must take taxes into account. Otherwise, you could be subject to IRS penalties like steep fines and interest.
Most foreign contractors will be required to fill out the following two forms. Let's get into what these need and how you can fill them out.
Form W-8BEN is for individual contractors¹, while Form W-8BEN-E is for entities². Both forms need the foreign contractor’s personal information. This includes their name, address, and home country. They also ask them to attest that they are not a US citizen or resident alien. They need the contractor’s tax ID number in their home country.
You can learn more about both forms at the links below:
Form 1099-NEC is a general form used “to report nonemployee compensation”³. It’s used when the payments made to a contractor exceed $600. This form is filled out by the US-based company that hired the foreign contractor.
You can learn more about this form at the links below:
Now that all that is out of the way, let’s get into your payment options.
Wise business offers low-cost options to companies sending payments domestically or internationally.
Since payments often contain hidden fees, Wise Business offers transparent pricing that can help businesses know exactly how much they will spend on their payments to contractors abroad.
Wise customers can hold 40+ currencies and use their account like many other business accounts.
Some features Wise Business users love |
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Receive Payments like a local: Businesses can pay a one-time fee for accounts details in global currencies, such as USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, so they can receive money without any additional fees |
Account Software Integration: QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and Wave |
Batch Payment Tools: Pay up to 1,000 invoices in one instance |
An International Account: Hold 40+ currencies at once |
Transparency: Wise Business is trying to get rid of all your business account fees |
See how much you could save here:
The most common way for US companies to pay foreign contractors is through wire transfer. This involves transferring money from one bank account to another. This could look like transferring from your company's account to your contractor's account.
See the Best Banks for Small Businesses >>
An international money order is a payment instrument that is sent online or through the mail. It’s like a check. The recipient of an international money order can cash it at any bank in their home country.
PayPal currently offers a service called Xoom. This allows users to send money to over 200 countries. You can deliver the money using one of their delivery options and use their app to track your payments.
Looking to send and receive business payments at low cost?
Pay your contractor
with Wise Business >>
Wise Trustpilot Score: Great 6
No minimum balance required and no monthly fees
Payoneer is a payment platform that offers cross-border payments to contractors and suppliers. They boast services for over 190 countries and in over 70 currencies.
Freelance sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are popular options for US companies. With these sites, you can search for and hire a contractor from another country. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the legal or financial aspects of international hiring.
Software is a great option for paying many contractors. These services make it easy for US companies to send payments in several currencies. They also offer extra features like automatic tax withholding and currency exchange. Some popular options include Gusto, Wave Accounting, and QuickBooks Payroll.
Looking to send and receive business payments at low cost?
Pay your contractor
with Wise Business >>
Wise Trustpilot Score: Great 6
No minimum balance required and no monthly fees
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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