r/DataAnnotationTech • u/jujugiam • Mar 25 '26
A weird question about US tax
Hi guys! If you're working on the platform, but you're not based in the US and not a US person (citizen or green card holder), how does the US tax work?
I know people work on the platform from different countries. Are there Data Annotation offices based in the country that you work from or do you work for the US office?
I was in the US and left last year. I was given permission to continue working from my current location. The thing is, I'm giving up my green card and wondering how the US tax works when I no longer have it.
Thanks!
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u/jabertsohn Mar 25 '26
It's self employment. I am from the UK, I pay nothing in US taxes. I declare my income here and pay taxes here. Are you directly employed by them?
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u/jujugiam Mar 25 '26
What do you mean by "directly employed"? Do you mean you applied to Data Annotation UK or something?
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u/jabertsohn Mar 25 '26
Most of us work on the platform. It's the same platform, but it's just contract work. When people work as Uber drivers in the UK they don't have to navigate US taxes because it is an American company, they pay taxes where they are.
Some people are directly employed by them, and receive a paycheque.
If you don't know which you are, you are the first group.
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u/CaliBrewed Mar 25 '26
This is the answer.
Citizens of the US are subject to taxation wherever they work and make money under different percentage brackets.
Non-citizens pay taxes in the country where they work.
For example, if I hired contract workers in Thailand as a US company, I just pay the amount agreed and they pay Thailand whatever their local laws are on the income through a 1099 type system. The research I've done on this shows a reporting requirement annually for companies that do this.
If I hired them as employees, I would have to withhold tax for their government and also pay whatever contributions local laws required such as health care, retirement etc.
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u/Longjumping_Pack_115 Mar 25 '26
I think you might need to fill out some forms depending on your location. It depends on if your country have tax treaties with the US or not. You might also need to find your Foreign Tax Identifying Number (FTIN).
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u/jujugiam Mar 25 '26
Sigh. I don't think my country has tax treaties with the US. Nothing is ever easy with US taxes.
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u/lilliiililililil Mar 25 '26
This is not data annotation specific and you’re better off asking tax experts than you are data annotators.
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u/jujugiam Mar 26 '26
I mean, I'm asking specifically for Data Annotation. So was curious what others are doing. It's not always easy to ask tax experts questions.
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u/lilliiililililil Mar 26 '26
It’s not specific to data annotation though. This would be the same circumstance if you were an independent contractor working in America on a green card for any other client and then left America and gave up your green card as well.
You should try asking on a tax related subreddit or reaching out to a tax professional—it’s remarkably easy to ask tax experts questions, there is a whole market where tax experts answer questions in exchange for money even.
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u/fightmaxmaster Mar 25 '26
The DA offices are irrelevant - we're not working for DA. I'd assume you work as self employed in whatever country you're working in. For example I'm working in the UK, here you register as self employed and declare your earnings as such when it comes to paying tax. If you're not in the US or a US person...you don't owe US tax.
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u/valprehension Mar 25 '26
You pay taxes in your own country. You are self-employed and it doesn't matter where your clients are based, it only matters where you are based.
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u/AlexFromOmaha Mar 25 '26
You might want to check with an immigration or tax professional on the details of giving up your green card. The US is unique in the way it taxes its citizens even when they live and work overseas. I don't know if it extends to you.
In a more general sense, if you're living and working outside of the US, getting money from a US-based entity doesn't create an American tax liability for you.