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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    EU - east side
    Posts
    21,920

    Running a US business from abroad?

    Hello everyone,

    As time went on, I've seen a few businesses that are incorporated in the US but run by people who live in a whole other country.

    Why am I interested in this? Because the bureaucracy where I live is suffocating, we have the weirdest rules and tons of paperwork, that basically prevent one from efficiently running an "online business". That's why I wonder if it wouldn't actually be easier for me to run a US business.

    I don't live in the US, but I know that incorporating in the US is possible, that there are firms out there that specialise in helping people incorporating. In any case, that's the easy part.

    The hard part is how the business iself is run after the incorporation. Obviously there must be books to keep, taxes to pay etc.

    I'm just starting to take interest in this, and instead of wondering all over the net reading half informative/pertinent info, I thought it would be good to first get some word of advice from those of you who have done this and know what it takes to do it properly.

    I'm looking forward with interest to read any bit of advice you can provide.

    Thank you very much for your time.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    5,460
    http://bizfilings.com/

    My friend used them to register in another state. They have a phone number and livechat, so you could try going on and seeing if/how they handle taxes, et cetera.

    The big problem with registering out of state is that you can't go see officials in person. The same friend later wanted to dissolute, and at that point would have had to pay over $500. If he lived in the town he could have talked to someone and seen about getting half of it waived, but instead was stuck since it was three or four states away.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    EU - east side
    Posts
    21,920
    Thank you DanX for the reccommendation and interesting tip of advice regarding business dissolution.

    What I am more interested in is not exactly the incorporation. Much of that I believe I can figure out rather easily on my own. What I would like to hear about are things regarding the day to day running of the business, things that people had to overcome when starting out, difficulties specific to running a business from another country etc. Any insight regarding that would be highly appreciated.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    24,027

    Re: Running a US business from abroad?

    Originally posted by ldcdc
    Why am I interested in this? Because the bureaucracy where I live is suffocating, we have the weirdest rules and tons of paperwork, that basically prevent one from efficiently running an "online business". That's why I wonder if it wouldn't actually be easier for me to run a US business.
    Have you thought about relocating to another more business friendly country?

    Seems to be that if you have your biz registered in America, you're still going to be hit with your local tax rules etc.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    EU - east side
    Posts
    21,920
    Have you thought about relocating to another more business friendly country?
    That I'm afraid is not an option for a lot of very objective reasons.

    Seems to be that if you have your biz registered in America, you're still going to be hit with your local tax rules etc.
    Does that apply if the money are not repatriated?

  6. #6
    well, i try that before but from spain it's not possible. The main problem it's when you have to take the money back to your country, you have to pay anyway taxes so it's the same.
    Honesting.es honest european provider.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Internet / Colorado
    Posts
    1,660
    Originally posted by pueblosnet
    well, i try that before but from spain it's not possible. The main problem it's when you have to take the money back to your country, you have to pay anyway taxes so it's the same.
    Ya you would have to leave it it in a US bank account... you could always do that and then use an ATM / debit card to pay for things at your location , or using a Paypal debit... legality on that is gray...
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  8. #8
    yes of course, you can, but the problem it's if you have to pay a house, car, etc. your local tax agency could tell you "hey man! where do you earn this money?"
    Honesting.es honest european provider.

  9. #9
    Using paypal for a major business, can sometimes be argued as a bad idea since sometimes they are arbitary on their chargeback decisions.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    EU - east side
    Posts
    21,920
    There are treaties between states that aim to solve the problem of double taxation. Anyway, that's not the issue I'm concerned about at the moment, although it is a thing to consider.

    What I first need to assess is how easy/hard it would be for me to run a business that is incorporated in the US.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Internet / Colorado
    Posts
    1,660
    Originally posted by ldcdc
    There are treaties between states that aim to solve the problem of double taxation. Anyway, that's not the issue I'm concerned about at the moment, although it is a thing to consider.

    What I first need to assess is how easy/hard it would be for me to run a business that is incorporated in the US.
    Not very hard at all with modern communication and so on. Once you register there really isn't much you have to do with the company. Worse case you don't even need a phone number and if you decide you do you can grab a VOIP line or skype voicemail easy. I've done it, there is not much difference working in another country with a high speed line and voip then being in the usa really... Its not like most of us go outside anyway.
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