Form 8233, Exemption From Withholding on Compensation for Independent (and Certain Dependent) Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual, is used by a nonresident alien individual to claim a tax treaty exemption from withholding on some or all compensation paid for: Independent personal services (self-employment), Dependent personal services (wages), or Personal services income and noncompensatory scholarship or fellowship income from the same withholding agent. A withholding agent that receives Form 8233 from a nonresident alien individual claiming a tax treaty exemption, must review the form, sign to indicate its acceptance, and forward the form to the IRS within 5 days of its acceptance. COVID-19 medical condition travel exception For the tax year 2020 only, individuals could claim the COVID-19 medical condition travel exception to exclude any days presence in the United States for the purpose of the “Substantial Presence Test.” Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate Complete Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay. Nonresident alien individuals are subject to special instructions for completing the Form W-4. Refer to Notice 1392, Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens. Resident alien claiming a tax treaty exemption Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on specified income. A nonresident alien who has become a resident alien for U.S. tax purposes may be able to claim benefits under a tax treaty that apply to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on specified income. Most treaties contain a provision known as a "saving clause." Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for specified income even after the recipient has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes. Many tax treaties contain exceptions to the saving clause with respect to students, trainees, teachers, and researchers with respect to wages, scholarships, and research grants. Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue even after the recipient has become a U.S. resident alien. In this situation, the individual must give you a Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, and an attachment that includes all the following information: The individual's name. The individual's U.S. taxpayer identification number. A statement that the individual is a resident alien under: The green card test, The substantial presence test, or The residency article of a tax treaty. The tax treaty under which the individual is claiming a benefit. The article number of the tax treaty under which the individual is claiming a benefit, and a description of the article. A statement that the individual is relying upon an exception to the saving clause of the tax treaty to claim the benefit. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article. Related Withholding Certificate Forms Under IRC Sections 1441-1464 Pay for Personal Services Performed
