IRS To Increase Audits of H-1B Employers

Under a new directive marked as “Tier 1″ (high strategic importance and significant impact on one or more industries), the Internal Revenue Service (”IRS”) has indicated that it will be focusing increased resources on H-1B sponsor companies’ tax withholding and reporting.

As our clients and readers know, the H-1B nonimmmigrant work visa is one of the most commonly used work visas for sponsoring foreign workers.   The H-1B visa requires that the H-1B beneficiary be employed as an “employee” (as opposed to a “consultant”) with all the benefits and rights afforded to the company’s other employees.   All wages earned by H-1B employees must be reported on Form W-2 and subject to withholding of income tax (and often employment tax) in the same way as U.S. citizens and residents.  Additionally, the IRS can examine expenses paid for or reimbursed to the employee which payments could represent compensation or a taxable employee benefit. 

Our firm often receives inquiries from corporate and individual clients as to whether there is a specific requirement that the H-1B employee be considered a “W-2 employee” versus a “1099 contractor.”  The IRS statement and the upcoming audits of H-1B employers make it very important that any H-1B employee be considered as an “empoyee” and a Form W-2 prepared along with the proper withholdings.