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.
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.
IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E Foreign independent contractors must submit IRS Form W-8BEN (for individuals) or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (for entities) to the US company they work for. This form certifies the contractor's foreign status and can help reduce or eliminate withholding tax on payments.
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.
Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E: Foreign contractors who are not U.S. citizens and have earned US-sourced income or performed work within the United States must provide Form W-8BEN (for individuals) or Form W-8BEN-E (for business entities).
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.
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.)