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This page covers work authorization, tax reporting, GST, invoicing, and the W-8BEN process for Polymath Fellows who are Indian citizens or legal residents. Polymath does not provide legal or tax advice; please consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.

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India Topics

Work Authorization

Eligibility to provide contracting services from India.

Income Tax

ITR filing, presumptive taxation, and advance tax obligations.

GST

Registration thresholds and the Letter of Undertaking.

Invoicing & Payment

How Polymath pays you through Stripe in INR.

W-8BEN

Claiming U.S.–India tax treaty benefits.

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Work Authorization

If you are an Indian citizen or legal resident, you are permitted to provide services as an independent contractor to clients outside India, including Polymath. It is your responsibility to:
  • Confirm that you are eligible to provide freelance or consulting work
  • Follow the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and applicable RBI rules governing payments received from abroad
  • Keep any required business registration and tax records current
Polymath works with contractors solely as independent individuals. We do not offer local employment agreements or sponsor work visas.

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Taxes and Income Reporting

Polymath does not deduct Indian income tax or GST from the payments you receive. As a self-employed contractor, it is your obligation to declare this income to India’s Income Tax Department.

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Tax filing responsibilities

You are responsible for:
  • Including income received from Polymath when filing your Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • Paying income tax based on the applicable slab rate or a presumptive taxation scheme (such as Section 44ADA for professionals)
  • Remitting advance tax if your annual tax liability is above ₹10,000
  • Producing invoices where Indian tax regulations call for them

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GST (Goods and Services Tax)

  • If your yearly earnings go over the GST registration threshold (₹20 lakh for service providers in most states), GST registration may become mandatory.
  • Services exported abroad are generally zero-rated for GST purposes, though you will need to file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) so that GST is not charged on your export invoices.
Speak with a Chartered Accountant to work out whether and when GST rules apply to you.

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Invoicing and Payment

Payments from Polymath are processed through Stripe and deposited into your Indian bank account in INR after conversion. Polymath itself does not send you invoices, but you are free to create your own for tax or record-keeping purposes.

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W-8BEN Form (US Tax)

Since you are a contractor based outside the U.S., Stripe will ask you to complete a W-8BEN form. Submitting this form confirms that:
  • You do not hold U.S. tax residency
  • You reside in India and qualify for benefits under the applicable tax treaty

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Claiming the U.S.–India tax treaty

Under the tax treaty between the U.S. and India, you can avoid having U.S. withholding tax applied to your business income. When completing the W-8BEN: Stripe manages this on your behalf, so there is no separate filing needed with the IRS. After submission, no U.S. tax withholding will occur, and you will not be issued a 1099.

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FAQ

No. Polymath does not deduct Indian income tax or GST. As a self-employed contractor, you are responsible for declaring this income to India’s Income Tax Department and complying with GST rules where applicable.
GST registration may become mandatory if your yearly earnings exceed the ₹20 lakh threshold for service providers in most states. Services exported abroad are generally zero-rated, but you will need to file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) to avoid GST being charged on export invoices. Confirm the specifics with a Chartered Accountant.
Enter your PAN (Permanent Account Number) as your Foreign Taxpayer Identification Number, and list India as your country of residence. Reference Article 7 (Business Profits) for the U.S.–India tax treaty article.
No. Once your W-8BEN is submitted through Stripe, no U.S. tax withholding is applied and you will not be issued a 1099.
No. Payments are processed through Stripe and deposited into your Indian bank account in INR. You are free to create your own invoices for tax or record-keeping purposes.

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Related Pages

Legal Support

Contracts, data privacy, account deletion, and the Polymath contracting entity.

General FAQ

Answers to common questions about Fellowships, payment, and day-to-day work.