How to Get Paid by a US Company as a Remote Worker in the Philippines
Have a remote offer from a US or UK company and live in the Philippines? Here are the three ways you can get paid — contractor, EOR employee, or your own registration — what each means for your BIR 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 the Philippines in three ways: as an independent contractor (you invoice the company and register with the BIR as self-employed), as an Employer of Record employee (a provider like Deel or Remote employs you locally on the company’s behalf, running payroll and statutory benefits), or through your own registration. For a single hire, contractor or EOR are the usual routes. You’re generally taxed in the Philippines, not the US; a US client will typically ask you to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. Confirm your tax and BIR registration with a local accountant.
The Three Ways You Can Get Paid
1. Independent contractor
You invoice the company (usually in USD) and are self-employed in the Philippines. You register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and file your own taxes. What it means for you: more take-home up front and freedom to keep multiple clients, but no employer benefits or paid leave, and all the admin is yours. Price your rate to cover taxes and the benefits an employer would otherwise provide. See invoicing a US company as an international contractor.
2. EOR employee
A provider such as Deel, Remote, or Multiplier employs you through its Philippine entity on the company’s behalf. What it means for you: a local employment contract, payslips, statutory benefits, and tax handled through payroll — real employment without the US company needing a Philippine entity. The employer pays the EOR fee and contributions, which can affect the gross salary offered. See what an EOR means for you.
3. Your own registration
You can register as a professional or business and bill through that. It suits people already running a services practice; for an employment-like role, an EOR usually handles the same ground with less admin.
The Philippines-Specific Things to Sort Out
Structural checklist to confirm with a Philippine accountant — thresholds and rules change, so don’t treat these as final numbers:
- BIR registration and filing. As a contractor you register with the BIR as self-employed/professional and file your own returns.
- Percentage tax or VAT. Depending on your gross receipts, you may fall under percentage tax or VAT registration — confirm which applies to you and the current threshold with an accountant.
- Receiving foreign payments. Bank (SWIFT) transfers, Wise, and Payoneer are all widely used. Compare total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and keep records for your filings.
For the employer-side view of this decision, see our guide on EOR vs contractor in the Philippines.
What to Ask the Employer
- Which rail — contractor or EOR employee?
- If contractor, what’s the rate, and does it cover your Philippine taxes and lack of benefits?
- 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 the Philippines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in the Philippines?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and register with the BIR as self-employed, handling your own Philippine taxes. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in the Philippines on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own registration. 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 the Philippines?
Generally you're taxed in the Philippines, 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 Philippine obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local accountant.
Do I need to register with the BIR to work for a foreign company?
If you're paid as an independent contractor, you generally register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a self-employed individual or professional and file accordingly; depending on your gross receipts you may fall under percentage tax or VAT registration. The thresholds and rules change over time, so confirm your registration type and any VAT obligation with a Philippine accountant. As an EOR employee, your taxes are handled through payroll instead.
How do I receive money from a US company in the Philippines?
Common routes are an international bank (SWIFT) transfer into your Philippine account, or a transfer service such as Wise or Payoneer, both widely used by Filipino remote workers. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment. Keep records of every payment received for your BIR filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in the Philippines?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and register with the BIR as self-employed, handling your own Philippine taxes. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in the Philippines on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own registration. 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 the Philippines?
Generally you're taxed in the Philippines, 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 Philippine obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local accountant.
Do I need to register with the BIR to work for a foreign company?
If you're paid as an independent contractor, you generally register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as a self-employed individual or professional and file accordingly; depending on your gross receipts you may fall under percentage tax or VAT registration. The thresholds and rules change over time, so confirm your registration type and any VAT obligation with a Philippine accountant. As an EOR employee, your taxes are handled through payroll instead.
How do I receive money from a US company in the Philippines?
Common routes are an international bank (SWIFT) transfer into your Philippine account, or a transfer service such as Wise or Payoneer, both widely used by Filipino remote workers. Compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread — and agree with the company who absorbs it before your first payment. Keep records of every payment received for your BIR filings.
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