The Easiest Job Board to Find Outsourced Staff
Please note: We are not CPAs or attorneys, and we are not qualified to provide tax or legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with your accountant or legal advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
That said, based on our experience, the primary tax consideration for most employers is that the wages you pay to your overseas workers are typically considered a business expense and can be deducted on your taxes.
If you're based in the United States, we recommend having your virtual assistant complete a Form W-8BEN, which identifies them as a foreign independent contractor. Keep this form for your records—there’s no need to file it with the IRS.
A few important notes:
No 1099 is required, as the worker is not a U.S. resident.
No tax withholding is necessary—they are not subject to U.S. taxes.
No unemployment insurance, benefits, or payroll tax obligations apply.
They are not classified as an employee—in fact, under Philippine law, you cannot consider them an employee unless you have a legally registered entity in the Philippines.
To our knowledge, there are also no reporting requirements between the U.S. and the Philippines, and the same generally holds true for Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries we've worked with.
In summary, they are considered independent contractors, and your primary responsibility is to pay them fairly and maintain proper documentation for your records.
No, there’s no obligation to keep your subscription. There are no time requirements or contracts involved.
Once you’ve completed your recruiting, you’re free to cancel your subscription at any time. You’ll still have access to essential tools like TimeProof and EasyPay, even after cancellation.
Of course, if you’re on the Premium plan, you may find continued value in services like Time Keeper and Simple Pay
We strongly recommend offering salaried positions whenever possible. In our experience, Filipino workers tend to prefer the stability of a salary, and we’ve found that employers often see faster, more consistent results when hiring on a salaried basis.
Think of it this way: paying hourly is like managing individual tasks, while paying a salary is like leading a committed team—more aligned with the mindset of a CEO.
That said, you're free to choose the arrangement that best suits your business. Just be sure to clearly communicate and agree on terms with the worker before finalizing the hire.
Above all, always pay a fair wage. Treat your workers with respect and integrity—it makes all the difference in building lasting, productive relationships.
Full-time virtual assistant salaries in the Philippines typically range from $400 to $2,000 per month.
At the $400/month level, you’ll find entry-level workers with little to no experience—ideal for basic tasks like data entry.
Around $700/month, you’ll begin to see more capable professionals—those with a few years of experience, strong English skills, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to your business.
Above $1,000/month, you’ll find top-tier talent—the best of the best with advanced skills, leadership experience, or niche expertise.
Part-time rates generally fall around 65% of full-time rates. It’s not simply “half the pay for half the hours,” as part-time work is considered less stable and more financially risky for the worker.
Even so, part-time hires remain highly affordable and can be a great fit for businesses with lighter workloads.
Hourly pay typically ranges from $3 to $15 per hour.
At $3/hour, expect entry-level workers.
At the $15/hour mark, you’re working with seasoned professionals or subject-matter experts.
Salaries are negotiable. Workers list their expected rates on their profiles, but these are not fixed. What you ultimately pay depends on your agreement with the worker.
Filipino workers tend to prefer salaried positions, as they offer stability. Hourly roles are often viewed as temporary, which can lead to higher turnover—but that’s not always the case.
You are welcome to hire hourly if that suits your business needs.
To better understand market rates, we recommend browsing several worker profiles that match the skills you’re seeking. This will help you gauge typical salary expectations.
For more detailed insights, check out our Comprehensive Guide to VA Salaries in the Philippines.
We created Simple Pay to solve common payment challenges—and it’s the same system we use to pay our own team. They love it, and we think you will too.
Fast transfers – The first payment typically takes 3–5 days. After that, most transfers arrive in under 48 hours, and often within 24.
Fair exchange rates – A small 2% reduction is applied when funds are transferred to the worker’s bank account, compared to PayPal’s typical 5%–7% fee.
No hidden fees – What you see is what you pay.
Transparent and fair – Everyone is treated fairly—no surprises, no excessive deductions.
You can conveniently pay your workers directly from your AffordableWages.com account—even if your subscription ends. It’s always available, always simple.
Simple Pay
Our platform is designed for simplicity—no separate account is required to get started.
You're also free to use any payment method you prefer, such as PayPal, WorldRemit, or Wise.com. We don’t process worker payments ourselves, and we don’t require you to pay through our platform.
As for compensation, that’s entirely up to you and the worker. The rate should be agreed upon during the hiring process based on your mutual expectations and negotiations.
Yes, if you begin with a monthly Pro subscription, you’re welcome to upgrade to the Premium plan at any time. You’ll only pay the prorated difference for the remaining period of your current billing cycle. The exact upgrade cost will be clearly displayed on the Affordable Wages Pricing page.
Similarly, if you decide to switch from a monthly plan to an annual subscription, your most recent monthly payment will be fully credited toward the annual rate.
Keeping prices too low tends to attract scammers, heightens competition for serious employers, and invites lower-quality job postings. Our goal is to foster a trusted platform where dedicated employers connect with talented professionals—and where both sides value the relationship.
When you consider our money-back guarantee, the risk is minimal. If you're unable to find the right candidate, simply request a refund—we stand by our promise. As a U.S.-based company, we take pride in honoring our guarantee with integrity.
We charge an upfront fee to keep the process transparent and to avoid inflating worker salaries with unnecessary markups. This way, you get direct access to talent without middlemen driving up costs. Once you experience our platform, we’re confident you’ll see the difference.
In fact, most employers who discover AffordableWages.com find it so effective and efficient that they rarely return to traditional outsourcing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
In our experience, allowing employers to contact workers without any form of payment often leads to an increase in fraudulent behavior. Unfortunately, this can create a cycle where workers also begin to respond in a similar manner, turning the platform into an untrustworthy environment.
Additionally, our paid model is essential for sustaining our operations and continuing to provide a secure and professional space for both employers and job seekers.
As an employer, you’re welcome to explore the platform fully before making a payment. You can view complete worker profiles and even post a job. Once your job is live, you’ll be able to see all the applications submitted—giving you a clear sense of candidate interest and skill level. However, messaging and direct communication with applicants becomes available once you’ve upgraded your account.
The free plan allows you to post a job and view incoming applications, giving you a sense of the type of talent available. However, you won’t be able to see applicants’ contact information or communicate with them until you upgrade your account.
There’s a good reason we don’t offer a free trial—access to direct communication and interviews is only available after you've subscribed. This helps ensure a serious and secure environment for both employers and applicants.
