Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

clariboe

Jul 25, 2011, 5:59 AM

Post #1 of 9 (4106 views)

Shortcut

Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have read a lot about the restrictions and hoops for getting a job in Mexico, but have not heard anything about having your own business. I have a business selling a product online as well as in person. We make it ourselves and would not necessarily have to hire anyone to help. Can I continue this in Mexico, or would I have to wait the appropriate tine with the appropriate visa? I have read on here about people who have opened a B&B and was wondering then about how that worked. Does anyone have the scoop?

Rolly

Jul 25, 2011, 6:59 AM

Post #2 of 9 (4082 views)

Shortcut

Re: [clariboe] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

You will find useful information here.

Rolly Pirate

clariboe

Jul 25, 2011, 12:16 PM

Post #3 of 9 (4021 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

Very helpful. However, I was wondering if that would all apply to my situation. The business is already running here in the states online. Mexico would not even know it exists except for the fact that we would be shipping stuff that we made to the states and it would be subject to customs inspections, etc. I am not trying to get around their laws or taxes, but would like to avoid unnecessary problems.

denisyhole

Aug 11, 2011, 12:26 AM

Post #4 of 9 (3673 views)

Shortcut

Re: [clariboe] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

what is the condition of Software development Jobs in Mexico? is still recession is persist?

Rolly

Aug 11, 2011, 4:32 AM

Post #5 of 9 (3654 views)

Shortcut

Re: [denisyhole] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

According to one of my English students who is a computer science major in college, there are software job available especially for those proficient in Maya®. There are many opportunities in game development. But all these jobs require proficiency in Spanish.

Rolly Pirate

ncferret

Aug 11, 2011, 1:12 PM

Post #6 of 9 (3565 views)

Shortcut

Re: [clariboe] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

US & Mexican laws are quite clear. Where you are physically working defines where you pay your taxes. So, even if the business is "online" or your clients are in another country, where you physically do your job is where you need permission to work and its where you pay your taxes.

jrpierce

Aug 13, 2011, 1:00 PM

Post #7 of 9 (3410 views)

Shortcut

Re: [denisyhole] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

Depends where you are and how good you are/what you program in, etc. I have a friend in Guadalajara who is always seeking talented programmers. I've heard that recently there is a resurgence of US high tech companies opening sites in Mexico for engineering and/or program development.

If you want to contact my friend in Guadalajara, please PM me and I'll arrange it. His firm is primarily programming iPhone applications, both for clients and on spec.

Jim

TedZar

Aug 18, 2011, 11:23 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3207 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jrpierce] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

Times are changing a bit and there are more than a few people working in "low-visibility" type self-employment these days. When I inquired on this board I was informed of numerous people.

I have to use the mail system for my business, but otherwise there is no way for the country in which I reside (not Mexico) to know that I work - or not. All my money is in the USA and I regularly transfer funds from there to my account here.

In terms of what is 100% legal - well . . . I pay taxes to the USA because I want to pay them somewhere and can't pay them where I am or will have problems (too bad - I bet they would like the money!). It is best to be sure that you pay SOMEWHERE - as it is tax evasion that can get you put in jail versus simple immigration stuff that just gets you sent back to your home country. I can at least claim and prove I was paying them somewhere.

I fully realize that my way of doing it is not perfect nor 100% legal. But I prefer to live where I live. I am certainly not taking a job away from anyone and I employ a maid (two part-timers actually), spend a lot of money locally and help boost the economy.

The laws need to move forward to modern times.

fordmexico

Aug 19, 2011, 6:23 AM

Post #9 of 9 (3187 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ncferret] Self employed in Mexico

Can't Post | Private Reply

USA tax laws are very clear. The USA taxes a US citizen on world-wide income no matter where the citizen physically resides. The US Tax Code allows certain foreign income to be excluded. The rules regarding taxation of foreign income of USA citizens is very complicated. A link to the IRS guide, "Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad-Publication 54 " is posted below.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/index.html