Before the payment goes out
Tax Clearance Diagnostic
- 1Review payee, payment & documents
- 2Assess withholding & reporting
- 3Get clearance & next steps
Foreign Payments • Withholding • Compliance
U.S. Tax Compliance for Payments to Foreign Contractors
Get a Tax Clearance Diagnostic before payment. We review W-8 forms, withholding, and treaty rules for contractors, talent, software vendors, and royalty payments, and help with held payments and IRS notices.
Request a Tax Clearance Diagnostic
Tax and Compliance Services
Foreign-Payee Clearance
Determine the applicable U.S. withholding, documentation, and treaty considerations before paying international contractors, talent, vendors, or other foreign recipients.
Non-Resident U.S. LLC Compliance
Help foreign-owned U.S. businesses identify and complete applicable federal information-return requirements, including Form 5472 and Form 1120 filings, plus FBAR where the filing requirements apply.
IRS Notice Defense & Penalty Abatement
Enrolled Agent representation for cross-border tax disputes, IRS notices, unfiled international returns, withholding issues, and penalty-relief matters.
About Lloyd
Hi, I’m Lloyd Alrey Scott, EA.
A distinctive advantage for clients
Former State Sales & Use Tax Auditor
Before becoming an Enrolled Agent, Lloyd worked as a government Tax Auditor reviewing business tax compliance. That experience gives LA SmartBooks a practical understanding of how tax authorities examine records, transactions, documentation, and compliance issues. Today, as an IRS-credentialed Enrolled Agent, he helps clients address federal tax matters and navigate IRS compliance issues.
I founded LA SmartBooks to help businesses make cross-border payments with a clear understanding of their U.S. tax obligations.
My journey began at the University of Texas at Austin, where I earned my degree in Accounting. While in school, I volunteered through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, helping low-income families prepare their tax returns and gain access to valuable tax benefits.
My accounting and tax experience has shown me how careful records, transaction details, and complete documentation help businesses meet their obligations and prevent avoidable issues.
That work led me to become an Enrolled Agent and focus on helping businesses resolve federal tax matters and stay ahead of compliance problems.
Today, through LA SmartBooks, I help clients assess foreign payments, understand documentation and withholding requirements, respond to IRS international tax issues, and maintain compliance as their businesses grow.
Cross-border compliance starts with clarity before money moves, and continues with reliable support for the obligations that follow.
Our Approach
Move money across borders with a clear tax path.
We help businesses understand who they are paying, what the payment is for, which documents apply, and whether U.S. withholding or reporting may be required.
From a pre-payment Tax Clearance Diagnostic to ongoing foreign-owned LLC and IRS notice support, LA SmartBooks helps you take the next step with confidence.
Paying a foreign contractor or company?
Get a Tax Clearance Diagnostic before sending the payment.