Ask HN: Folks who work remotely for US companies, how do you handle money?

I know there are many people here who work for US companies from outside the US. Do you guys primarily work as contractors? If you are regular employees, do you get a US W-2? If you are not a US Citizen, I guess you will be treated as a non-resident for tax purposes? Is that favorable to you? Let us discuss these financial aspects here.