Anyone know the legalities of freelance work from abroad?

Nanner · October 2011

I've been considering doing some remote freelance work, but it would specifically be for American clients. Does anyone know if this is legal? It would be exactly as if I were doing freelance work at home in the U.S., except I'm doing it from a computer here instead of from a computer at home. I'm on a dependent visa while here, so I don't know if this makes a difference one way or the other, either from the U.S.'s perspective or Singapore's perspective.

Also, if it is legal, do you know what the tax implications might be?

Snippylynn · October 2011

I think you still have to register yourself with the tax authority there, but I'm basing it off knowing that I would have to here.

ER2125 · October 2011

Talk to your tax preparer and check all of the conditions of your visa, but lots of people do this this type of thing. Are you allowed to work in Singapore? I don't know anything about Singapore visas, but generally unless your authorized to work in your new country, you could be stepping on some toes with immigration so just be careful if that is the case. I do freelance work for US-based clients, I'm paid in USD into my US-based bank account, but I still have to file and pay taxes here in Canada on that amount because the work I performed was technically done in Canada. I also file a US-tax return for the same amount, but because of tax treaties, no double taxation. Good luck!

anna7602 · October 2011

We've been dealing with this and no one can give me a straight answer except to say that if our immigration attorneys look into it, it could hold up the visa process for our whole family.

For now, I've decided to just do the work and try to get paid in advance of our move and when we come back, so I don't officially have income while we're abroad. But we'll only be living abroad for a one-year term. If we were staying longer, I would definitely push our immigration attorneys to research the issue completely.

I'm interested to see what others have to say.

bluegirl2006 · October 2011

ER2125:
Talk to your tax preparer and check all of the conditions of your visa, but lots of people do this this type of thing. Are you allowed to work in Singapore? I don't know anything about Singapore visas, but generally unless your authorized to work in your new country, you could be stepping on some toes with immigration so just be careful if that is the case. I do freelance work for US-based clients, I'm paid in USD into my US-based bank account, but I still have to file and pay taxes here in Canada on that amount because the work I performed was technically done in Canada. I also file a US-tax return for the same amount, but because of tax treaties, no double taxation. Good luck!

I believe this is right. If your visa doesn't allow you to work though, I think you'd be violating it.

Nanner · October 2011

bluegirl2006:
ER2125:
Talk to your tax preparer and check all of the conditions of your visa, but lots of people do this this type of thing. Are you allowed to work in Singapore? I don't know anything about Singapore visas, but generally unless your authorized to work in your new country, you could be stepping on some toes with immigration so just be careful if that is the case. I do freelance work for US-based clients, I'm paid in USD into my US-based bank account, but I still have to file and pay taxes here in Canada on that amount because the work I performed was technically done in Canada. I also file a US-tax return for the same amount, but because of tax treaties, no double taxation. Good luck!
I believe this is right. If your visa doesn't allow you to work though, I think you'd be violating it.

Thanks for the info, especially the tax stuff. I know that I can work locally with a Letter of Consent from the employer, or I can also work local freelance if I set up my own business as a DBA-type of thing with the government. I'm not sure if that would include working for international clients though. I'll keep looking for that info.

Thanks again!

ayockey · October 2011

I'm going to be in the same boat. I want to do freelance work for US companies while I live in Stockholm with my soon-to-be husband. I know that for Sweden, you have to have a residency permit (mine will be through my husband) that gives you the ability to work, and you have to pay taxes on any income you receive. This may be a bit different in Singapore since Scandinavia is tax crazy, but I would guess it's about the same.

I am receiving payment through PayPal.

I also know that in Sweden business expenses are not taxed. So, if you spend money on your freelance work while in Singapore, you may want to look into whether that is taxable or not.

So confusing!!

Anyone know the legalities of freelance work from abroad?

Re: Anyone know the legalities of freelance work from abroad?

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