Am I gonna be in trouble if I keep my online job?

[irishc30 4]

I know I can't work as soon as I arrive in the US unless I have EAD or unless we have filed for AOS but can I keep working online? Do I have to pay taxes even if I'm only earning $600 a month? You see I've been an online article writer here in the Philippines and I work for an American. She knows I'm moving to the US and she asked me if I'd like to keep working for her even when I'm already there. I told her I would love to work online until I am allowed to apply for a job where I live. I don't wanna get in trouble that's why I wanna know as early as now if I can keep my online job so I know my next steps. I don't wanna sit at home everyday doing nothing except for clean and cook lol.

Anyone knows how online jobs in there work for K1 visa holders?

[MiniKoala 13]

I'm in the same situation. I contacted the legal department of the Us Company I do the online work for and they were not 100% sure about this either, but they advised me not to work for any US based company while the AOS is pending. The problem being that you can not pay taxes for an income made without having a work permit, according to them.

I did a lot of research on this and couldn't find a definite answer. But since there is a possibility it would jeopardize my Green Card application (my author page is the first thing that shows up in a Google search), I want to be on the safe side and I'm taking a sabbatical from the online job.

Please correct me if anyone knows more about this and can give a more accurate answer.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Working & Traveling During US Immigration - topic is working before EAD ~

[Rose&Jorge 8]

I know I can't work as soon as I arrive in the US unless I have EAD or unless we have filed for AOS but can I keep working online? Do I have to pay taxes even if I'm only earning $600 a month? You see I've been an online article writer here in the Philippines and I work for an American. She knows I'm moving to the US and she asked me if I'd like to keep working for her even when I'm already there. I told her I would love to work online until I am allowed to apply for a job where I live. I don't wanna get in trouble that's why I wanna know as early as now if I can keep my online job so I know my next steps. I don't wanna sit at home everyday doing nothing except for clean and cook lol.

Anyone knows how online jobs in there work for K1 visa holders?

My understanding is that you cannot be employed until you have the authorization.

SO I am guessing online working is a big no

[irishc30 4]

I'm in the same situation. I contacted the legal department of the Us Company I do the online work for and they were not 100% sure about this either, but they advised me not to work for any US based company while the AOS is pending. The problem being that you can not pay taxes for an income made without having a work permit, according to them.

I did a lot of research on this and couldn't find a definite answer. But since there is a possibility it would jeopardize my Green Card application (my author page is the first thing that shows up in a Google search), I want to be on the safe side and I'm taking a sabbatical from the online job.

Please correct me if anyone knows more about this and can give a more accurate answer.

Thank you so much for the reply. I appreciate it. There are no definite answers to this and I don't know which agency to seek help from. I guess we're better off staying at home to cook and clean than risk getting into trouble with our AOS. I hope someone who has the specific experience regarding online job can chime in. Btw, I'm working for an individual and not a company per se so I don't know if that makes any difference. I'm writing articles for her and that's it.

Edited January 29, 2014 by irishc30

[novedsac 355]

There is a definite answer - it is extraordinarily clear - you MUST be authorized to work legally in order to legally work in ANY capacity here in the US.

Working online, working offline, whether you are working for an individual or for a large corporation, part time/full time - there is no difference. If you are HERE in the US then you can only legally work if you are authorized to do so.

If she is paying you under a W2 or a 1099, then that income is reported to the IRS and you will be responsible for paying income taxes (quarterly if she's paying you as a contractor under a 1099); if she's not then she is breaking the law. You must be very careful with this … you think immigration is nasty? Wait until you run afoul of the IRS.

With that said, many people work for cash and ignore their responsibilities to the law.

If this is the kind of work you want to do in the future (online work is great for mom's who want to spend more time with their children) and you like this particular lady, then there is value in keeping the relationship open. Perhaps you can 'volunteer' your writings for the time being and then segue into a paid position once you have work authorization. Networking and relationships are very important in securing good work opportunities here.

[irishc30 4]

There is a definite answer - it is extraordinarily clear - you MUST be authorized to work legally in order to legally work in ANY capacity here in the US.

Working online, working offline, whether you are working for an individual or for a large corporation, part time/full time - there is no difference. If you are HERE in the US then you can only legally work if you are authorized to do so.

If she is paying you under a W2 or a 1099, then that income is reported to the IRS and you will be responsible for paying income taxes (quarterly if she's paying you as a contractor under a 1099); if she's not then she is breaking the law. You must be very careful with this … you think immigration is nasty? Wait until you run afoul of the IRS.

With that said, many people work for cash and ignore their responsibilities to the law.

If this is the kind of work you want to do in the future (online work is great for mom's who want to spend more time with their children) and you like this particular lady, then there is value in keeping the relationship open. Perhaps you can 'volunteer' your writings for the time being and then segue into a paid position once you have work authorization. Networking and relationships are very important in securing good work opportunities here.

Thanks for the help. I'm not planning to stick to this job. I just want to keep doing it while waiting for EAD or AOS so I won't get bored and $600 can buy a little bit of groceries. But since laws in the US are very strict (unlike here in the Philippines), I will not jeopardize my green card application. Thanks again for enligthening me and MiniKoala.