toidness
Feb 6, 2012, 11:04 AM
Can anyone let me know how taxes work in the US for Directors' Fees received from an oversees company?  It is more than $600 a year and will be monthly and quarterly.  Do I just declare it on the 1099-misc?  And how heavy are the taxes on misc income.  
 
Is there a difference if the directors fee is taxed or not taxed where the company resides.
AtlantaTaxExpert
Feb 13, 2012, 09:51 AM
If the person being paid is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident, then ALL world-wide income is subject to U.S. income taxes.
 
The director's fees IS probably considered non-employee compensation, but the foreign company may NOT generate a Form 1099-MISC.  Regardless, it must be reported on Schedule C and is subject to both income and self-employment taxes.  
 
Most directors would be highly paid individuals, so his/her salary probably exceeds the $106,400 limit for assessment of Social Security taxes.  That being the case, the self-employement tax will only be 2.9%.  
 
The top marginal tax rate is currently 35%, so the most he will pay is about 38%.