Skip to main content
Polymath does not withhold or deduct taxes from your payments. As an independent contractor, you are fully responsible for reporting your Polymath earnings and paying any income, self-employment, or local taxes owed in your jurisdiction.
Polymath cannot provide legal or tax advice. The information below is general guidance only. For anything specific to your situation, please consult a qualified tax professional in your country.

​
When you accept your Fellow offer

1

If you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

You’ll complete a W-9 through Stripe to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If your Polymath earnings for the year exceed $600, you’ll receive a 1099-NEC in the following January or February.
2

If you're based outside the U.S.

You’ll complete a W-8BEN through Stripe to certify your foreign status and, where applicable, claim benefits under a U.S. tax treaty. You will not receive a 1099-NEC from Polymath.

​
Understanding the forms

​
W-9 (U.S. Fellows)

The W-9 is used by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. It collects your SSN or Employer Identification Number (EIN) so that Polymath (via Stripe) can issue a 1099-NEC at year-end if you cross the reporting threshold. You’ll fill this out in Stripe during onboarding. A few things to double-check when submitting your W-9:
  • Your Stripe profile country must be set to United States, even if you happen to be living abroad. If you select a non-U.S. country, Stripe will treat you as a non-U.S. person and no 1099 will be generated.
  • Enter your SSN or EIN carefully. A single incorrect digit can cause IRS reporting issues.
  • The legal name on your Stripe account must match your W-9 exactly (including middle names or suffixes).

​
W-8BEN (non-U.S. Fellows)

The W-8BEN certifies that you are not a U.S. person and, where a tax treaty exists between the U.S. and your country of residence, allows you to reduce or eliminate U.S. withholding on your Polymath payments. The form has two separate country fields, and both are free-text. You can enter either the full country name or the 3-letter ISO code (for example, India or IND; United Kingdom or GBR):
  • Country of citizenship — your nationality.
  • Country under Permanent residence address — where you actually live today.
Please make sure both fields reflect your real country of citizenship and residence. Mismatched information can hold up your payments or invalidate any treaty benefits you’re entitled to.

​
At the end of the tax year

​
If you filed a W-9: 1099-NEC

If you submitted a W-9 and earned more than $600 from Polymath during the calendar year, Stripe will issue you a 1099-NEC by the end of January or early February.
  • The form is delivered to the email address and mailing address on your Stripe account, so keep both current.
  • If your total Polymath earnings were $600 or less for the year, no 1099 will be issued (though you are still responsible for reporting the income).
  • The 1099-NEC is for independent contractors — Polymath Fellows are not W-2 employees.
If you completed a W-9 but haven’t received your 1099, the most common cause is that your Stripe profile country is not set to United States. Selecting a non-U.S. country (even accidentally) causes Stripe to treat you as a non-U.S. person and skip issuing the 1099. Your physical location does not override your W-9 status.

​
If you filed a W-8BEN: no U.S. form issued

If you submitted a W-8BEN, Polymath will not issue you any U.S. tax form. You are responsible for declaring your Polymath income in your country of tax residence and paying whatever income, self-employment, or GST/VAT taxes apply locally. We strongly recommend working with a local accountant or tax advisor to make sure you’re handling self-employed income correctly and taking advantage of any tax-treaty benefits you’re entitled to.

​
Frequently asked questions

Not currently. Under the structure of our Consulting Agreement, we’re required to compensate you as an individual independent contractor.
  • Please complete your W-9 or W-8BEN under your personal legal name.
  • We’re unable to accept a W-8BEN-E or other entity-level tax forms at this time.
No. Polymath does not withhold income tax, self-employment tax, GST, VAT, or any other taxes from your payouts. You’re responsible for calculating and remitting your own taxes, including any quarterly estimated tax payments that your jurisdiction requires.
Update your address, email, and banking details directly in your Stripe account. If your country of residence or citizenship has changed, you may also need to submit a new W-9 or W-8BEN — Stripe will normally prompt you when this is required. If you’re unsure, email support@polymathlabs.ai and we’ll help walk you through it.
This depends on where you’re a tax resident and whether you hold U.S. citizenship or a green card. Please email support@polymathlabs.ai with the specifics of your situation and we’ll help point you in the right direction. We also recommend confirming the answer with a qualified tax professional.
Polymath does not provide tax or legal advice. If you have questions about your Consulting Agreement, self-employment taxes, treaty benefits, or how to report Polymath income, please consult a qualified tax professional in your jurisdiction.

​
Country-specific guidance

For details tailored to your country of residence, see the country guides in the sidebar. More countries will be added over time.

India

FEMA and RBI considerations, income tax filing, GST thresholds, and completing the W-8BEN under the U.S.–India tax treaty.

Supported countries

The full list of countries where Polymath can pay Fellows through Stripe Connect.