The short answer
As a contractor, you send the company an invoice and receive the payment by international bank transfer or through a payment platform that can receive US dollars. As an employee through an employer of record, you are paid through local payroll in your country. In both cases, talk to a local accountant before the first payment.
If you work as a contractor
As a contractor, you invoice the company, usually every month, and you handle your own taxes and social security. There are two common ways to receive the money:
- International bank transfer. The company sends a wire to your bank account. Ask your bank which details it needs and what it charges to receive a transfer in US dollars.
- A payment platform. Services such as Payoneer or Wise give you account details to receive US dollars, which you then keep or send to your local bank. Compare their fees and exchange rates on their own websites before you choose.
Some companies pay contractors through a contractor platform, such as Deel or Remote. In that case you get paid through the platform, and it tells you which withdrawal options it supports in your country.
If you are hired through an employer of record
An employer of record employs you in your own country on the company's behalf. You get a local employment contract and are paid through local payroll, usually in your local currency, with taxes and social security handled by the employer of record. See contractor or employee in Latin America for how the two models differ.
What to set up before your first payment
- Ask the company how and when it pays: the currency, the day of the month, and whether it uses a platform.
- Prepare an invoice with your full name, address, tax ID, the company's details, the period, the amount and the currency, and your payment details.
- Register as an independent worker or business with your country's tax authority if the law requires it. A local accountant can tell you which registration fits.
- Find out how income from abroad is taxed where you live, and whether your country has rules about receiving or converting foreign currency.
- Keep a copy of every invoice, contract and payment. You will need them for your tax return.
Questions to ask an accountant
- How should I register to invoice a company abroad?
- Which taxes and social security contributions do I pay on this income, and when?
- Do I need to report the foreign account or platform where I receive the money?
- Can I deduct any costs of working from home?
This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules depend on your country and change over time.
Questions engineers ask
Do I have to charge in US dollars?
Most US companies pay in US dollars. Whether you keep dollars or convert them depends on your bank or platform and on your country's rules, so ask a local accountant.
Who pays the taxes on my income as a contractor?
You do, in your country. The US company usually does not withhold your taxes as a foreign contractor, but it may ask you for a tax form. Your accountant can help you fill it in.
Does Boecia Talent pay engineers?
No. Boecia Talent only recruits. The company that hires you pays you directly or through a platform or employer of record.
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