Mercor payouts and taxes guide for 2026

Mercor pays evaluators on a weekly or bi-weekly cycle, in USD, via international transfer. Understanding the payout flow and the tax classification matters before you accept the first task. ## Payout cycle Earnings accrue per task and are batched into a payout run. Most evaluators see funds initiated within a week of task completion, arriving in their account within two to five business days after that. International evaluators may see additional bank-level delays. ## Payout methods Mercor partners with international transfer providers. In practice, evaluators receive USD into a local bank account using a routing partner, or via a multi-currency account such as Wise or Payoneer. Wise tends to land cheapest for non-US recipients because the FX spread is tighter than most bank conversions. ## US tax treatment US-based evaluators are independent contractors. Earnings are reported on a 1099-NEC if you cross the IRS threshold. Self-employment tax (15.3 percent) applies in addition to federal and state income tax. Set aside roughly 30 percent of gross by default; refine to actual liability with your accountant. ## EU tax treatment For EU evaluators, Mercor income is foreign-source self-employment income. Most jurisdictions require you to register as self-employed (auto-entrepreneur, freiberufler, partita IVA, etc.) and declare gross USD revenue converted at the date of receipt. Local social charges and VAT thresholds vary by country and by activity classification. ## Tools that help A multi-currency account (Wise) for receipt, a basic accounting tool (QuickBooks self-employed, Indy in France, Holvi in Germany) for monthly reconciliation, and an annual session with a local accountant covers most setups. ## What Mercor does not withhold Mercor does not withhold US or EU taxes on your behalf. The full payment lands in your account; the tax obligation sits entirely with you. Plan cash flow accordingly: spending the full payout each month leaves you short at year end.