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If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.

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If your contractor isn't a US citizen and works outside US, you'll just need them to complete a W-8BEN (or a W-8BEN-E if they're a business entity). You don't need to send the form to the IRS, just keep it on file with your payment records.
“U.S.-source compensation payments made by a U.S. business to a non-U.S. individual who is an independent contractor and who is not treated as a U.S. tax resident for the taxable year will generally be subject to 30% gross withholding.”
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.
All persons ('withholding agents') making US-source fixed, determinable, annual, or periodical (FDAP) payments to foreign persons generally must report and withhold 30% of the gross US-source FDAP payments, such as dividends, interest, royalties, etc.
Payments to a foreign corporation in exchange for personal services performed in the US by either a US citizen or alien is considered to be US-sourced income and is usually subject to withholding. (Can be wages or self-employment income.)
Exemption from withholding To qualify for this exempt status, the employee must have had no tax liability for the previous year and must expect to have no tax liability for the current year. A Form W-4 claiming exemption from withholding is valid for only the calendar year in which it's furnished to the employer.
This is a key point in understanding how can a US company hire a foreign independent contractor. As long as the contractor complies with the tax and legal requirements of their home country and the U.S., they can provide services to a U.S. company without being considered an employee.