709.1 - Procedure for Completing Tax Withholding Forms as a Non-Resident Alien Performing Services in the United States

Title

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Finance Procedure 709.1 - Procedure for Completing Tax Withholding Forms as a Nonresident Alien Performing Services in the United States

Procedure

When a nonresident alien is compensated for services performed in the United States other than wages, then they are classified as an Independent Contractor. Independent Contractors are required to complete predetermination forms and may be subject to background check requirements. Additional forms may be required to to document visa status, passport history, and withholding tax rates. It is extremely important to have all forms completed and approved before any services are performed because the visa classification may preclude the University's ability to pay the independent contractor. It is also important to be aware that the forms will require additional processing time for both the department and the central office.

Forms and Instructions

Follow the Independent Contractor Determination process found in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Finance Procedure 708.1 - Independent Contractor Predetermination Process,

and gather send an invitation via PaymetnWorks which will ask for additional forms and documents for non-resident aliens performing services in the United States:

After forms are received, if the vendor has submitted a tax treaty claim, the IC reviewer will work with other central office departments to determine the appropriate tax rate for federal withholding. The federal tax rate and the NC Department of Revenue withholding tax rate will be deducted from the amount submitted on the voucher.

Exceptions

None.

Definitions

  • Nonresident Alien: is a federal term that describes the tax category of people who work in the United States. You're considered a nonresident alien for any period of your employment that you're neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien (hold a green card or other substantial presence test) during the taxable year.  See the IRS definitions for more details. 

Related Requirements

External Regulations and Consequences

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Policy Contacts
Subject Contact Numbers Email
Independent Contractor Predetermination Process Accounts Payable and Vendor Services T. 919-843-5098
F. 919-962-2356
accountspayable@unc.edu
NC Non-Resident Withholding Accounts Payable and Vendor Services T. 919-843-5098
F. 919-962-2356
accountspayable@unc.edu
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Details

Article ID: 131545
Created
Thu 4/8/21 9:11 PM
Modified
Mon 7/1/24 9:38 AM
Responsible Unit
School, Department, or other organizational unit issuing this document.
Finance and Budget
Issuing Officer
Name of the document Issuing Officer. This is the individual whose organizational authority covers the policy scope and who is primarily responsible for the policy.
Issuing Officer Title
Title of the person who is primarily responsible for issuing this policy.
Director, Accounts Payable and Vendor Services
Next Review
Date on which the next document review is due.
01/12/2026 10:00 AM
Last Review
Date on which the most recent document review was completed.
07/01/2024 10:00 AM
Last Revised
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07/01/2024 12:00 AM
Effective Date
If the date on which this document became/becomes enforceable differs from the Origination or Last Revision, this attribute reflects the date on which it is/was enforcable.
04/24/2018 12:00 AM
Origination
Date on which the original version of this document was first made official.
07/01/2004 12:00 AM