How to Get Paid by a US Company as a Remote Worker in Brazil
Have a remote offer from a US or UK company and live in Brazil? Here are the three ways you can get paid — contractor (often via a PJ), EOR employee, or your own company — what each means for your taxes and benefits, and what to ask the employer.
Updated July 8, 2026 • Verified current for 2026
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A US or UK company can pay you in Brazil in three ways: as an independent contractor (in Brazil, often billing through your own company, a PJ, and handling your own Brazilian taxes), as an Employer of Record employee (a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in Brazil on the company’s behalf, running local payroll and statutory protections), or through your own entity. For a single hire, contractor/PJ or EOR are the usual routes. You’re generally taxed in Brazil, not the US; a US client will typically ask you to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. Decide your structure with a Brazilian accountant (contador).
The Three Ways You Can Get Paid
1. Independent contractor (often via a PJ)
In Brazil, providing services to a foreign client is commonly done by billing through your own company — a PJ (pessoa jurídica) — rather than being paid as an individual, because it can be more tax-efficient. Small businesses may use simplified regimes such as Simples Nacional, or register as an MEI at the smallest scale. What it means for you: more take-home up front and flexibility, but you handle your own taxes and get no employer benefits or CLT protections. Which regime fits depends on your income — decide with a contador. See invoicing a US company as an international contractor.
2. EOR employee
A provider such as Deel, Remote, or Multiplier employs you through its Brazilian entity on the company’s behalf. What it means for you: a local employment contract with the statutory (CLT-style) protections and benefits, payslips, and tax handled at source — real employment without the US company needing a Brazilian entity. The employer pays the EOR fee and contributions, which can affect the gross offered. See what an EOR means for you.
3. Your own entity
Setting up a fuller entity mainly suits established service businesses. For a single employment-like relationship, a PJ contractor arrangement or an EOR covers the same ground with less overhead.
The Brazil-Specific Things to Sort Out
Structural checklist to confirm with a contador — regimes and rules change, so don’t treat these as final:
- Structure and tax regime. PJ vs individual, and if PJ, which regime (e.g. Simples Nacional, or MEI at the smallest scale) — this drives your effective tax. Decide it with an accountant.
- Employment protections. As an EOR employee you get statutory CLT-style protections; as a PJ contractor you don’t — factor that into your rate.
- Receiving foreign payments. Foreign inflows generally go through a foreign-exchange (câmbio) operation via a bank, which converts to reais and documents the inflow; Wise and Payoneer are used where supported. Compare total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread.
For the employer-side view, see our guide on EOR vs contractor in Brazil.
What to Ask the Employer
- Which rail — contractor (PJ) or EOR employee?
- If contractor, what’s the rate, and does it cover your Brazilian taxes and lack of protections?
- If EOR, which provider, and what benefits and paid leave come with it?
- Currency and who absorbs conversion on each payment?
If you’d prefer employment and they’ve offered contractor status, see how to ask your employer to hire you via an EOR — and point them to our explainer on hiring in Brazil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Brazil?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor — in Brazil often billing through your own company (a PJ, pessoa jurídica) — you invoice the company and handle your own Brazilian taxes. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider such as Deel or Remote employs you in Brazil on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits (the CLT-style protections) while you work for the US company. Or you set up your own entity. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Brazil?
Generally you're taxed in Brazil, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Brazilian obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a Brazilian accountant (contador).
Should I set up a PJ to work for a foreign company in Brazil?
Many Brazilians providing services to foreign clients bill through a company (a PJ), sometimes under simplified regimes like Simples Nacional or as an MEI for very small businesses, because it can be more tax-efficient than being paid as an individual. Whether it's right for you — and which regime applies — depends on your income and situation, and the rules change, so decide the structure with a Brazilian accountant. As an EOR employee you don't need a PJ; the EOR employs you directly.
How do I receive money from a US company in Brazil?
Receiving foreign payments in Brazil generally involves a foreign-exchange (câmbio) operation through a bank or authorised institution, which converts the funds to reais and documents the inflow. Transfer services such as Wise or Payoneer are also used where supported. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment. Your accountant can advise on documenting the inflows correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Brazil?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor — in Brazil often billing through your own company (a PJ, pessoa jurídica) — you invoice the company and handle your own Brazilian taxes. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider such as Deel or Remote employs you in Brazil on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits (the CLT-style protections) while you work for the US company. Or you set up your own entity. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Brazil?
Generally you're taxed in Brazil, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Brazilian obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a Brazilian accountant (contador).
Should I set up a PJ to work for a foreign company in Brazil?
Many Brazilians providing services to foreign clients bill through a company (a PJ), sometimes under simplified regimes like Simples Nacional or as an MEI for very small businesses, because it can be more tax-efficient than being paid as an individual. Whether it's right for you — and which regime applies — depends on your income and situation, and the rules change, so decide the structure with a Brazilian accountant. As an EOR employee you don't need a PJ; the EOR employs you directly.
How do I receive money from a US company in Brazil?
Receiving foreign payments in Brazil generally involves a foreign-exchange (câmbio) operation through a bank or authorised institution, which converts the funds to reais and documents the inflow. Transfer services such as Wise or Payoneer are also used where supported. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment. Your accountant can advise on documenting the inflows correctly.
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