The answer is yes—US companies can hire internationally legally. However, in most cases, you cannot hire remote workers as direct employees unless you have a legal entity in the workers' country of residence. But there is another option: hiring them as independent contractors.
“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.
U.S. companies can hire non-U.S. citizens as independent contractors without a work visa, provided the contractor performs the work from outside the U.S.
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.
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.
Form W-9. The IRS requires contractors to fill out a Form W-9, a request for a Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, which you should keep on file for at least four years after the hiring. This form is used to request the correct name and Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN, of the worker or their entity ...
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.
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.