Formerly Known As Policy Number: 36.5
This Guide Memo describes or references procedures for authorizing payment for services to the University by individuals who are not University employees. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) currently applies the applicable policies contained herein. SLAC departments should consult the SLAC Office of the Chief Financial Officer website for SLAC procedures which differ from those set forth below. For information about faculty honoraria, please see Chapter 5 of the Faculty Handbook (https://facultyhandbook.stanford.edu/5-salary-benefits-and-retirement).
Whether an individual is an employee or an independent contractor is determined by the facts in each case.
For information about how the University determines whether an individual is an employee or an independent contractor, see Guide Memo 2.2.3 (https://adminguide.stanford.edu/chapters/human-resources/general-employment-policies/university-payroll): University Payroll, Section 1.
Stanford reports all payments to applicable tax authorities as required by law. Tax reportable payments are reported annually to the:
Note: Payments for services rendered may not be processed through petty cash.
A Purchasing Requisition is used to set up contracts with vendors of services to the University. For more information see Guide Memo 5.3.1 (https://adminguide.stanford.edu/5-3-1): Requisition Processing (https://adminguide.stanford.edu/5-3-1).
The purchase requisition should be processed before the services are performed.
Note: The W-9 and all banking or otherwise confidential data should be be submitted via the secure Supplier Request Portal (http://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/suppliers/getpaid/supplier_request.html).
If the individual's compensation for work performed at the University is paid by a temporary help agency, the person is employed by the agency, and is not put on the University payroll. The University pays the agency, which is then responsible for tax deductions, Social Security payments, and Worker's Compensation insurance.
Procurement seeks competitive bids every two years from temporary help agencies, and enters into contracts with selected agencies, which are placed on an approved list. Only agencies on the approved list should be used.
For detailed information, see Inviting and Paying Foreign Visitors (https://fingate.stanford.edu/business-travel-expenses/inviting-and-paying-foreign-visitors).
All offers of reimbursements, travel payments or honoraria to foreign visitors are contingent on the visitor entering the United States on a visa that allows the visitor to receive payments (see Guide Memo 2.4.1 (https://adminguide.stanford.edu/2-4-1): Visas for and Employment of Foreign Nationals.
Visitors with J-1 visa status may be paid honoraria but visitors with non-Stanford sponsored visas must have written permission from their sponsoring officer for payment. Visitors with B-1, B-2, WB or WT status may be paid honoraria if:
Visitors from countries that have agreements with the U.S. to waive visitor visas (WB and WT) and visitors with J-1, H-1, B-1 or B-2, or A-1/A-2 visa status may be reimbursed for business travel expenses. Visitors with B-2 visas or WT status must conform to the restrictions listed in (1) above.
For non-payroll payments to foreign visitors holding valid visas, the department must submit a Declaration of Tax Status (Stanford Form LA-6), and copies of passport, visa and I-94 card with the Oracle Financials reimbursement request. See Requesting Payment section of Inviting and Paying Foreign Visitors (https://fingate.stanford.edu/business-travel-expenses/inviting-and-paying-foreign-visitors).Note: all confidential documents and data, including that listed above, should be submitted via the secure Supplier Request Portal (http://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/suppliers/getpaid/supplier_request.html).
If the visitor's country of residence has a treaty with the U.S. ,the following forms may also be required, depending on what type of payment is proposed:
The Travel section of the Gateway to Financial Activities (http://fingate.stanford.edu/staff/travel/forms.html) website contains links to printable versions of most of these forms.
Note: Form 8233 and all banking or otherwise confidential data should be submitted via the secure Supplier Request Portal (http://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/suppliers/getpaid/supplier_request.html).
An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) is necessary if the payment is for an honorarium and the visitor is claiming a tax treaty by submitting the appropriate exemption form (see Section 5.b.(2) above).
Note: Tax Identification Numbers, Social Security Numbers and all banking or otherwise confidential data should be submitted via the secure Supplier Request Portal (http://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/suppliers/getpaid/supplier_request.html).
If there is no Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), 30% taxes will be withheld from honoraria payments. If there is no tax treaty, 30% taxes will be withheld from honoraria payments (see Section 5.b.(2) above).
Payments to an individual who is not a California resident are subject to California withholding at source tax. California law requires that Stanford (the "source" of the payment) withhold 7 percent from payments for non-employee personal services made to an individual who is not a California resident, if the aggregate total of such payments to that individual during a calendar year is greater than $1,500 and services were performed in California.
In general, non-employee, non-corporate individuals without a California address, DMV driver's license, or other sufficient evidence of California residency, who will perform their services over a period of fewer than nine consecutive months, will be presumed to be non-California residents unless they submit a Certificate of California Residence (see below).
If an individual claims exemption from California withholding at source on the grounds that their is a California resident, no California withholding will be taken from payments that are made after the following procedure has been completed:
Form 590 is valid for one year; a new form must be completed for a subsequent year.
The host department administrator must advise any out-of-state visitor in writing and in advance of the requirements in this section.
Supplemental Research Support is payment for research support made by a department to an individual who is not a Stanford employee. Such payments must meet the following criteria:
Supplemental research support is treated in all respects as a fellowship for tax purposes. Fellowships paid to non-degree seeking individuals are taxable.
Supplemental research support payments to visiting scholars are authorized through the Payroll Office.
Note: Supplemental research support to a Stanford faculty or staff member must be processed as supplemental salary. See Quick Steps: Request Recurring Payment (https://web.stanford.edu/group/fms/fingate/staff/payadmin/quick_steps/request_recurring_pay.html).