Introduction
For most of you, the stipend is a vital aspect of the Google Summer of Code program because it is what allows you to focus your time and energy on writing code. Distributing funds globally to contributors is a specialized task and that is why we have again partnered with Payoneer.
Description
Payoneer offers two options to receive your stipend:
- A Payoneer Prepaid Debit MasterCard® card (virtual or physical). The card is reloadable and can be used to make purchases or ATM withdrawals wherever MasterCard® is accepted worldwide.
- Direct deposit to your local bank account. With Payoneer’s local bank transfer, Payoneer will send funds directly to your bank account securely and at a reduced cost. This service is available in over 200 countries and more than 150 currencies.
Make sure you read and understand all the terms, conditions, fees, and FAQ's associated with Payoneer which you will need to agree to upon registration. This information can also be accessed in your personal Payoneer My Account.
NOTE: In some countries (such as India), only direct deposit is available.
Payment Schedule
(Based on standard 12 week project, will vary by project length)
| Approximate Date | Amount |
|---|---|
| July 13 | 45% |
| September 3 | 55% |
Fees
Inactivity Card Fees
WARNING: The Prepaid card has a 3 USD fee after 6 months of inactivity, if your card retains a balance.
Registration
If your proposal is accepted you will receive an email from Google with a personalized link for you to use to register for your Payoneer account. You must complete your Payoneer registration (including tax forms where appropriate) by July 1st to receive your first stipend on time.
After you register, your Payoneer account will be reviewed. It usually takes about a week before you receive an email that your account is approved. If you apply for the virtual card, it will be emailed to you. If you apply for the physical card, it will be shipped to the address you provide Payoneer.
- If you have previously registered for Payoneer, and already have an account, just click "Already Have a Payoneer Account" after clicking on the personalized registration link that Google sent you. This will then link your account to GSoC.
IMPORTANT TIP
Do not under any circumstances make ANY kind of change to your proof of residency that you send to Payoneer. If you send a document that has been altered in ANY way you will very likely be banned from creating a Payoneer account, which means you can't receive any payment for participation in GSoC. Payoneer is a financial service with very strict compliance restrictions so if you send something that has been altered in any way (or is incorrect, for example your Social security card has your name misspelled) your account will likely be banned. So be 100% sure your document you send is correct before uploading it. There is nothing Google Admins can do if your account is banned.
Frequently Asked Questions
It says my Payoneer account is not linked to the Google Summer of Code program. How do I fix that?
This means you did not register via the Payoneer link sent to you in the email sent by Google. Please contact Payoneer directly and let them know you are part of the GSoC Contributor program distribution - it can take several weeks to get sorted out.
I am having problems setting up my account. Where can I go for help?
Please contact Payoneer directly via their contact page. Payoneer offers multilingual customer support for all payment related issues via email, telephone and live chat. The telephone number for customer support is:
- +1-800-251-2521 (within US)
- +1-646-658-3695 (outside US)
I am in India and I am not able to choose the prepaid card option on the Payoneer website. What's going on?
At this time, the pre-paid card option is not available in India. You must choose a direct bank transfer instead.
I’m based in India and I’m being asked for a Purpose Code. What is that?
You must select P0802 - Software consultancy/implementation. If you have any questions about the Purpose Code, please contact Payoneer.
Am I required to fill out a United States tax form?
If you are a United States citizen, United States resident alien, are attending a university in the United States, or are coding in the United States for any length of time during the coding period, you are required to fill out a tax form on the Payoneer site.
Google will reach out to all GSoC contributors with addresses in the United States to confirm if they need a tax form so Payoneer can send you a request to complete the tax form that will appear on your Payoneer dashboard around June 5th, that you will need to complete by July 1st.
If you feel you have received the tax form requirement in error (or if you believe you need to complete a form and weren’t sent one), please contact us at gsoc-support@google.com
Which tax form should I fill out?
We cannot provide any tax advice. As you go through the tax form wizard on the Payoneer website it asks questions which will help you determine which form you need to complete. Please contact a local tax professional with any questions.
I live in the US, will I get a 1099-NEC in January 2025 for my tax purposes?
Only United States citizens or permanent residents that completed their tax form on the Payoneer site will receive a 1099-NEC form.
If you are an international student in the US on a visa you will not receive a 1099-NEC form but are still responsible for paying your US taxes. You should consult a tax advisor on how to complete your tax return next year, we can not help you with that.
How should I receive my funds?
Many non-US based participants ask us if it is better to receive funds in your local currency or in USD. Our experience is that your local currency is preferable because Payoneer's exchange fees are often better than what your local bank may charge. Google covers a majority of the other fees around your cards or bank transfers, but does not cover currency exchange fees. Every bank is different, which makes it difficult for Google or Payoneer to provide a specific estimate of which method is better.
I already have a Payoneer account. What should I do?
If you have previously registered for Payoneer, and already have an account, choose the "Already Have a Payoneer Account" button after clicking on the registration link Google sends you. Please ensure that your account is linked to the Google Summer of Code Students account.
I lost my card, what do I do?
If your card is lost or stolen, please contact Payoneer immediately so it can be disabled and a new card can be sent to you.