Ask HN: American web working abroad

#1

Post by noodle » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 3:23 AM UTC

i did some cursory searching on the topic and it was brought up in spots in other threads, but i was looking for input specifically on this topic.

i'm giving some consideration to living in another country while doing some freelance stuff and working on startups based in the US. and maintaining my US citizenship.

anyone have any thoughts/experience/etc. on this? any input on the legality and/or visa requirements of doing it? any countries specifically friendly to this type of work? etc..

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#2

Post by imasr » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 4:41 AM UTC

It'll depend on your expectations. You can come to Buenos Aires, Argentina. You're money will worth at least three or four times more than in the US. We're specially friendly with foreigners. Best food you'll ever get. Plenty of night life. And last but not least, incredibly gorgeous women. Cons? There always are, but you can always go back to the US.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#3

Post by tomjen » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 5:46 AM UTC

You want to double check the tax code. Otherwise you might get charged twice.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#4

Post by michaelneale » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 6:15 AM UTC

tomjen wrote: post #3

You want to double check the tax code. Otherwise you might get charged twice.

You would have to be unlucky for that to happen (maybe depends on country). For me I have done that before and had no issue, only local tax (just like anyone else who "exports" stuff really). On the US side, I didn't think it was an issue in my case.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#5

Post by wheels » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 6:52 AM UTC

tomjen wrote: post #3

You want to double check the tax code. Otherwise you might get charged twice.

The US has an $80k exemption for income earned abroad, assuming you set up legal residence overseas.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#6

Post by astrec » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 6:57 AM UTC

Are you going to be paid in the US? Or the other country?

If the other country, you'll need a visa with work entitlements, and you'll want to fill in a U.S. Form 1040 when you file your taxes. Generally you won't be taxed twice.

On the other hand, if you go somewhere on a tourist visa - say for 3 months - and get paid in the US, it's business as usual.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#7

Post by mmcelhinney » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 7:11 AM UTC

I have been doing this for the past year and a half (Canadian Citizen, working in Finland). It has been great, but there are some things that you need to watch out for.

- Ensure the countries have a double taxation treaty in place, so that income you claim abroad does not have to be claimed at home (or rather you have to claim it, but not pay tax on it again) - Residence permits for self-employed persons can take a long time in some countries. For example, Finland has two national languages, and I decided to apply in the minority language (Swedish) because I was studying it. It took nearly 5 months to get the residence permit, partially because of the extra bureaucracy involved with doing things in the minority language. - Cost of living is a huge issue. Choose a country where you will benefit from the currency exchange (harder with the US dollar lately). I am earning Canadian Dollars, living in Euros, and it hurts.

I do not think that citizenship should be an issue, though, unless you obtained your citizenship recently. If you are a natural born citizen, living in another country under a residence permit should not affect things.

I hope some of what I said helps.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#8

Post by menloparkbum » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 7:30 AM UTC

I'm not sure this is the best advice, but a number of my good friends do this, and they set up companies in the US (LLC) and do their work abroad while on tourist visas.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#9

Post by noodle » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 1:28 PM UTC

astrec wrote: post #6

Are you going to be paid in the US? Or the other country? If the other country, you'll need a visa with work entitlements, and you'll want to fill in a U.S. Form 1040 when you file your taxes. Generally you won't be taxed twice. On the other hand, if you go somewhere on a tourist visa - say for 3 months - and get paid in the US, it's business as usual.

i'm looking at tourist visas and being paid entirely in the US. i'll probably maintain an official residence with my parents if i end up doing this.

Re: Ask HN: American web working abroad

#10

Post by sanswork » Wed, Apr 16, 2008, 2:08 PM UTC

I'm doing this starting in September. I'm a Canadian and will be moving to Australia with my girlfriend. I'll be doing all my work through my Canadian corporation. Going to be traveling for the first 6 months or so on a tourist visa but then switching to a spousal visa once my girlfriend gets her migrant worker visa.