Freelancing before and after green card

[Laud 40]

Hi folks,

 

I'm trying to prepare in advance of my CR1 visa which (hopefully!) should be coming through in the next 6 months.

 

My current employer in the UK are keen to use me as a freelancer after I move to the US. I'm also interested in beginning the freelance with before my green card (while living in the UK), as it offers more flexibility and better pay.

 

I'm not sure the best way to go about this...

 

• If I set up as a freelancer in the UK do I need to set up separately after I move to the US?

• Can I set up as a freelancer in the UK and continue earning money there after I move (my company would prefer to pay me in ££)?

 

Has anyone been in a similar situation and can offer any guidance?

 

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

As far as working in the US goes, you will be authorized to work the minute you enter the US with an immigrant visa.  Be aware that your world-wide income will then become reportable, and foreign income (if not paid in USD) will have to be converted using the IRS conversion rate when filing your US tax forms.  Good luck.  

[Laud 40]

25 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

As far as working in the US goes, you will be authorized to work the minute you enter the US with an immigrant visa.  Be aware that your world-wide income will then become reportable, and foreign income (if not paid in USD) will have to be converted using the IRS conversion rate when filing your US tax forms.  Good luck.  

Thanks for your advice!

 

So it sounds like I could start a freelance project in the UK prior to emigration, then when the CR1 comes through I could move and continue working on that same project without skipping a beat. Money would be paid to my UK account (and declared to IRS the following April).

 

Looking slightly further down the line, it seems a bit tricky. If I was registered as self-employed in the UK taking on freelance work there, then separately taking on freelancing projects in the US, would this create needless tax headaches for me?

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

25 minutes ago, Laud said:

Thanks for your advice!

 

So it sounds like I could start a freelance project in the UK prior to emigration, then when the CR1 comes through I could move and continue working on that same project without skipping a beat. Money would be paid to my UK account (and declared to IRS the following April).

 

Looking slightly further down the line, it seems a bit tricky. If I was registered as self-employed in the UK taking on freelance work there, then separately taking on freelancing projects in the US, would this create needless tax headaches for me?

You can easily form an LLC in your state after you relocate to the US if you choose to.  

[Laud 40]

12 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You can easily form an LLC in your state after you relocate to the US if you choose to.  

Thanks CC. Very useful advice as always.

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

The business itself has to have a license to do business in the US

u can free lance if the business has the LLC permit 

then u pay into federal ,  state , local taxes and your own medicare and SS benefits quarterly by filing a form 1040 ES