Why Route an Invoice Through a US Company?
It feels like an extra step, and it costs money. If your client is fine with paying a foreign contractor, you don't need this.
But many US companies, especially mid-size and larger, hate dealing with cross-border invoices. Their accounts-payable system might require a W-9, a US address, or simply refuse to pay a non-US bank. That's the problem Panorama solves. By placing itself between you and the client, it turns your invoice into a domestic one. The client processes it like any other bill from a US vendor. No W-8BEN, no wire transfer hurdles, no internal policy fights.
How It Works, Step by Step
You do the work as you normally would. Before invoicing, you agree with Panorama on the service fee and payout method. Panorama issues an invoice to your client in US dollars, from a Florida address. The client pays that invoice to Panorama's US bank account. Once the funds clear, Panorama pays you through the method you chose: Wise, SWIFT, a local NZD bank transfer, or USDT. That's it. You don't need a US entity, and you don't need to chase the client for payment—Panorama handles the collection.
But keep in mind: you're not an employee, and you get paid only after the client pays Panorama. If the client is slow, that delay passes through to you.
What It Doesn't Fix
Panorama is not a tax advisor. You remain solely responsible for declaring and paying all taxes where you're tax resident—in this case, New Zealand. Whether you're an individual or operating through a company, your tax obligations don't change.
This setup also doesn't magically shield you from bad clients. If a client refuses to pay, Panorama has no obligation to advance the funds. The service fee covers only the invoicing and remittance; it's not insurance against non-payment. And Panorama is not your employer. There's no withholding, no benefits, no employment relationship. You're still a freelancer, just one who can offer a US billing address.
Payout Options for New Zealand Freelancers
You tell Panorama how you want to receive your money. Options include Wise, SWIFT, a direct local bank transfer in NZD, or USDT. Which you pick depends on what's cheapest and fastest for you—conversion rates and third-party fees vary. If you choose NZD local transfer, the funds land in your bank account like any domestic payment, though an intermediary bank might take a cut along the way. There's no 'best' method for everyone; it's worth checking what your own bank charges for incoming wires before you decide. Panorama doesn't control those fees.