How to add an international contractor without a SSN or EIN

Welcome to the QuickBooks Community, @Jaiden. Allow me to share information about adding international contractors in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

In QBO, your employer can add you as a regular contractor. In order to get you paid, they can enter a dummy Social Security Number (SSN) and Employee Identification Number (EIN). Please note that an SSN is a nine-digit number with the format XXX-XX-XXXX, while the EIN has a format of XX-XXXXXXX. If you're unable to do so, it's best to reach out to the IRS to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.

Also, you'll need to complete the W-8BEN tax document since you're a non-US taxpayer who earns US-sourced income. 

Additionally, QBO has a multicurrency feature that helps record foreign transactions seamlessly without the inconvenience of exchange rate conversions.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime if you have additional concerns about getting paid as a non-US contractor. We're always here to help. Take care, and have a good one.

I tried to enter dummy info for the SSN. Just using 000's, but it wouldn't accept it. Am I missing something?

@Jaiden 

Do you have ITIN?

Hello Jaiden,

You may be experiencing some browser-related issues when entering a dummy SSN. Let's fix it by performing some steps.

To begin with, let's log into an incognito window and enter the SSN from there. You can use these keyboard keys to open one:

• Google Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
• Microsoft Edge & Mozilla Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Safari: Control + Option + P

If you can save the number, you can continue on a regular browser and clear its cache. Piled cache can also be the reason for some unexpected issues on the opened pages. You can also switch to a different browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.

Moreover, you can check this article on how to manage certification for foreign status: Certificate of Foreign Status and Beneficial Owner for the United States.

I'm always around whenever you have concerns about setting up your profile as a contractor.

Thanks. 

So the dummy number should just be any random number? Not just all 0's?

Also, there's a box asking if I'm a US citizen + that it's my correct SSN. Am I fine to check this if I'm planning to share my W-8ben form?

Thanks for getting back to the thread, @Jaiden.

I'd like to provide more details about using a dummy SSN when setting up a contractor in QuickBooks.

Before we proceed, could you confirm if you're the one attempting to complete your profile as a contractor? If so, please note that a dummy SSN or EIN can't be used, as the system will recognize that it is not valid.

This workaround is only applicable if your employer manually enters your personal details in QuickBooks Online (QBO). They can input all zeroes or any random number as your SSN or EIN and save your profile. You can share these steps with them to finalize your setup:

1. Let them log in to their QBO account.
2. Go to the Expenses menu and select Contractors.
3. Click Finish setup and pay, then select Add info manually.
4. Under the Details section, click Add next to Personal details.
5. Enter a dummy SSN or EIN, and fill up the rest of the details.
6. Click Save.

For further guidance, you can refer to this article: Set up contractors and track them for 1099s.

Also, I don't recommend checking the "I'm a US citizen" and "That it's my correct SSN" box if you're not a US citizen.

Additionally, your employer can generate 1099 reports in QuickBooks to identify which contractors require 1099s in QBO.

If you have any additional questions about adding a contractor without an SSN or EIN in QuickBooks, feel free to ask here, and I'll be happy to assist you.

Hi Reymond, I'm an international contractor and have added myself as a regular contractor on QBO. It's asking me for a W9. How do I upload a W8BEN?

It's a pleasure to have you here in the Community, Jenny. Allow me to share significant information about W9 in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

Since you've been added as a regular contractor, your employer needs to send you a W-9 request through your email to fill out. To proceed, you may share these steps with them:

1. Login to QBO account.
2. Go to the Expenses tab and select Contractors.
3. Choose a specific contractor.
4. Select Send Email.

Once you receive the email, click the link attached to enter your W-9 information and complete the setup.

For more information, please refer to this article: Invite a contractor to add their tax info.

Additionally, you can upload your W-8BEN directly to QBO if you have access to the Vendor Details. You can follow the steps below:

1. Login to the QBO account.
2. Go to the Expenses tab and select Vendors.
3. Choose your name and select Edit.
4. Scroll down until you see the Notes and Attachments section.
5. Select Add Attachment to upload your W-8BEN.
6. Click Save.

If you're unable to access the vendor's tab, kindly contact your employer and provide them with your W-8BEN. They can then upload it to QBO.

Furthermore, you may consider checking out this article to learn how to prepare and file 1099s: Create and file 1099s with QuickBooks Online.

I'll be here if you require further assistance with W-9 or any QuickBooks-related queries, don't hesitate to leave a comment below. I'll be glad to assist you all the way. Take care.

Thats Vendors not Contractors. How do you attatch a W8BEN to the CONTRACTOR?

Thanks for joining the Community and getting involved with this thread, LemonTree.

In QuickBooks, contractors are commonly referred to as vendors, and vice versa.

I've also included a detailed resource about working with contractors which may come in handy moving forward: How to set up a contractor

If there's any additional questions, I'm just a post away. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Hello thank you for this information, I was able to fill in a dummy SSN and it went through and I also submitted a W-9 Form with the dummy SSN and signed. Information was sent to my employer but now I’m being asked to add bank information. Do I add a US bank or you bank or Nigerian bank which doesn’t have a routing number. And will this dummy SSN affect my pay or employer in the future?

We want to ensure you're routed to the right support team that can assist you with handling a foreign contractor and their payments, Mbrown11.

Before we proceed, let me provide answers to your questions. To start, using a dummy SSN can cause tax reporting errors. This can lead to IRS penalties and make it difficult to verify the contractor's identity for legal and payment purposes. It's important to have a US bank account since the payroll service doesn't support non-US account payments.

With that said, I recommend reaching out to a tax advisor for further assistance. They can provide advice on how to handle your concern, including paying a foreign contractor.

Review the following links to get more information on managing international vendors, foreign currency payments, and recording bill payments:

• Set up and use Multicurrency
• Add a vendor with a foreign currency
• Enter and manage bills and bill payments in QuickBooks Online
  
  

Explore these resources to gain insights into how QuickBooks Online (QBO) handles contractors and payment categories for 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC:

• Set up contractors and track them for 1099s
• Understand payment categories for the 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC
  
  

If you have any other QuickBooks-related concerns or questions about setting up contractors, click the Reply button to share your comments. We'll help ensure that everything is taken care of for you.