Foreign persons who provide Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E, Form W-8ECI, or Form W-8EXP or applicable documentary evidence are exempt from backup withholding and Form 1099 reporting.
The form confirms that the contractor isn't a U.S. citizen and isn't working within the United States. If both of these things are true, the contractor isn't subject to American taxes. Without this form, you must withhold 30% of your payments to foreign contractors for taxes.
Under US domestic tax laws, a foreign person generally is subject to 30% US tax on the gross amount of certain US-source income.
1099s for US Contractors Abroad You will then use these forms to report your worldwide income on your US tax return. Foreign clients may not be required to send you a Form 1099. In that case, you will be responsible for tracking your own income so you can report it accurately on your US taxes.
Form 1099 is used to report payments made to an independent contractor. Expat business owners may need to file Form 1099 when working with contractors abroad. Failing to file Form 1099 as required could result in penalties.
However, the IRS doesn't require a company to withhold taxes or report any income from an international contractor if the contractor is not a U.S. citizen and the services provided are outside the U.S. filing forms 1099 is required if: The contractor is located internationally but is a U.S. citizen.