Paying an Honorarium

An honorarium is a small payment for services rendered when payment is not expected, for example, to a speaker or a panel judge.

Required Information

To request an honorarium payment, you will need the following information:

  • Recipient’s name, address, and country of citizenship
  • Recipient’s Social Security Number (SSN)/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), if applicable
  • Recipient’s W-8 or W-9
  • Amount of honorarium

Determine Payment Method

Honoraria for non-employees are paid via RFP. 

To submit a payment, go to the Payment (Taxable) link on the Atlas Manage Reimbursements (RFPs) page to complete the online RFP form. Use G/L 420137 (Honoraria/Speaker Fees). Be sure to attach the recipient’s W-9 or W-8 and provide a brief explanation of why the recipient is receiving the honorarium (optionally, attach a poster/information about the event). VPF can deliver payment by check in 3-5 business days after you submit the request.

Honoraria for employees should be paid through HR/Payroll in Atlas. See One-Time Supplemental Payments in the Payroll section of the VPF website.

If a person is providing services on a recurring or regular basis, payments should be made via a purchase order through Buy-to-Pay, as this is a fee-for-service to an independent contractor, not an honorarium. See Request a New Supplier to learn more about paying an independent contractor.

If the recipient is outside of the U.S., you can request an international wire payment. To do so, complete a paper Request for Payment (RFP) form and send to MIT Accounts Payable - Wires, NE49-4064. Be sure to include the following information on the invoice:

  • Bank name receiving the funds, with complete address 
  • Payee name (who is receiving the funds) 
  • Account number (account at bank to which the funds will be deposited) 
  • A SWIFT code for international transfers 
  • Currency and amount to be wired