Percentage of the revenue generated from services performed by a professional

Companies deriving revenues from service offerings charge customers based on time, often on a project basis or as a retained service provider.

Applicable businesses/products for a service-based revenue model

Companies operating on service revenues are common in a broad range of industries including information and communication technology (ICT), cleantech and medical devices. Service revenues often accompany product sales or other types of revenue streams such as:

  • Implementation fees
  • Consulting fees
  • Customer support fees
  • Customization fees

Customer relationships

Customer relationships are strong in the case of service offerings. Revenues in this model depend on the seller’s ongoing ability to solve problems and meet client needs. To preserve strong customer relationships, service providers must manage client expectations.

To market effectively, a service provider must combine skilled networking with highly positive recommendations and referrals. Since direct selling drives revenue, the company should also establish and maintain a high level of professional credibility, and employ an extremely capable, customer-focused sales team. Generating sales leads can occasionally be automated, but usually the services revenue model hinges on the sales team developing relationships.

Operational implications

Service providers need to optimize service delivery, and so should direct operational focus on training and deploying high-calibre staff. To develop high-performing staff, service companies need to provide effective training and professional development.

Financial and strategic implications

It can be difficult to quantify the service model for financing or capital investment needs, because the model relies heavily on the quality of the company’s human resources. This can make it difficult to obtain sufficient financing. In general, service companies focus financial considerations on cash flow.

Key metrics

For service companies, the most important metrics to watch are customer satisfaction and billing rates.

Costs and benefits of the service revenue model

A key advantage of the service revenue model is that once a sale closes, revenue starts to generate almost immediately. Depending on the company’s area of expertise, certain services can command high rates and be highly profitable. Unfortunately, the provision of high-quality service can prove difficult to scale.

This section explains the rules for withholding tax from pay for personal services. You generally must withhold tax at the 30 percent rate on compensation you pay to a nonresident alien individual for labor or personal services performed in the United States, unless that pay is specifically exempted from NRA withholding or subject to graduated withholding, Wage Withholding under Internal Revenue Code Section 3402. This rule applies regardless of your place of residence, the place where the contract for service was made, or the place of payment.

Illegal Aliens (Undocumented Aliens)

Foreign workers who are illegal aliens (undocumented aliens) are subject to U.S. taxes in spite of their illegal status. U.S. employers or payers who hire illegal aliens (undocumented aliens) may be subject to various fines, penalties, and sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If such employers or payers choose to hire illegal aliens (undocumented aliens), the payments made to those aliens are subject to the same tax withholding and reporting obligations that apply to other classes of aliens. Illegal aliens (undocumented aliens) who are nonresident aliens and who receive income from performing independent personal services are subject to 30 percent withholding unless exempt under some provision of law or a tax treaty. Illegal aliens (undocumented aliens) who are resident aliens and who receive income from performing dependent personal services are subject to the same reporting and withholding obligations which apply to U.S. citizens who receive the same kind of income.

Pay for Personal Services Performed By an Individual

Items of Importance

  • Withholding Certificates and Exemptions for Personal Services and Students
  • Withholding Exemption on Effectively Connected Income
  • Central Withholding Agreements
  • Final Payment Exemption
  • Source of Income - Personal Service Income
  • Foreign Source Income -Form 1042-S Reporting Not Required
  • U.S. Agent of Foreign Person
  • Trust Fund Recovery Penalty

Non Employee Compensation

Independent personal services (a term commonly used in tax treaties) are personal services performed by an independent nonresident alien contractor as contrasted with those performed by an employee. This category of pay includes payments for professional services, such as fees of an attorney, physician, or accountant made directly to the person performing the services. It also includes honoraria paid by colleges and universities to visiting teachers, lecturers, and researchers. In addition, it includes payments made to athletes and entertainers.

  • Central Withholding Agreements
  • Final Payment Exemption
  • Nonresident Aliens and the Accountable Plan Rules

Wages Paid to Employees - Graduated Withholding

Salaries, wages, or any other pay for personal services (referred to collectively as wages) paid to nonresident alien employees are subject to graduated withholding. Refer to Federal Income Tax Withholding. Any wages paid to a nonresident alien individual for personal services performed as an employee for an employer are generally exempt from the 30 percent withholding if the wages are subject to graduated withholding.

Also exempt from the 30 percent withholding is pay for personal services performed as an employee for an employer if it is specifically exempted from wages by a provision of the Internal Revenue Code. As a general rule, pay received for personal services performed within the United States is considered to be income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.

Note: This page contains one or more references to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Treasury Regulations, court cases, or other official tax guidance. References to these legal authorities are included for the convenience of those who would like to read the technical reference material. To access the applicable IRC sections, Treasury Regulations, or other official tax guidance, visit the Tax Code, Regulations, and Official Guidance page. To access any Tax Court case opinions issued after September 24, 1995, visit the Opinions Search page of the United States Tax Court.

What is the monetary value of what company received for goods sold services rendered and all other payments to the firm?

Revenue, often referred to as sales or the top line, is the money received from normal business operations. Operating income is revenue (from the sale of goods or services) less operating expenses.

Which of the following is an example of revenue?

Explanation: Cash received from providing services to customers is an example of revenue, and is an asset source transaction.

What is the best way to record your tips and additional income?

You can use IRS Form 4070A (Employee's Report of Tips to Employer), your employer's designated system or a written statement to record your income. Whatever form or system you use to report income should include: Employee signature.

What is the term used to describe the cost to produce package and deliver one item?

Production costs refer to the costs a company incurs from manufacturing a product or providing a service that generates revenue for the company. Production costs can include a variety of expenses, such as labor, raw materials, consumable manufacturing supplies, and general overhead.