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roni_smith

Mar 9, 2011, 6:07 PM

Post #1 of 14 (4209 views)

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Working for American organizations via the internet

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Both our employers would like us to continue to do some work for our respective colleges from Mexico after we move there.

What, if anything, do we need to do in terms of Mexican law and regulations to do that legally?

thanks
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sparks

Mar 9, 2011, 6:42 PM

Post #2 of 14 (4195 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] Working for American organizations via the internet

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Employed by a US company located in the US with pay checks sent to a US bank ... and you want to complicate things by involving the Mexican government.

I can't say more !!

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

roni_smith

Mar 9, 2011, 6:45 PM

Post #3 of 14 (4192 views)

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Re: [sparks] Working for American organizations via the internet

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No, I do not want to complicate things more.

I also do not want to complicate things by not doing the right thing to do and getting caught at it :)
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sparks

Mar 9, 2011, 7:05 PM

Post #4 of 14 (4183 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] Working for American organizations via the internet

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You could write immigration and ask what they think. What I think is you should relax and be grateful for a little extra income.

What's the right thing to do the first time you are stopped by a transito looking for a few bucks

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

La Isla

Mar 9, 2011, 8:24 PM

Post #5 of 14 (4163 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] Working for American organizations via the internet

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I have the feeling that earning money this way shouldn't involve the Mexican authorities in any way, unless you will want to use this income to make you eligible for an FM3 rentista. But please don´t take my word for it! Maybe Rolly has some idea about where to find the information you need.

Rolly

Mar 9, 2011, 10:30 PM

Post #6 of 14 (4149 views)

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Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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Working in México is working in México.
The fact that the work is being done via the internet and that no Mexicans are involved and that no money changes hands in México does not change the fact that work is being done in México. To be absolutely in compliance with the law, one should have a lucrative activity endorsement for the FM3.

Now, in the real world the chances of getting into trouble working on the internet without the paper is just about zero. But if you want to be absolutely sure, go ask at the INM office.

The INM also views volunteer work for a charity in the same light, although the rule is rarely enforced.
In fact, one person is in SMA reported that when she went to the INM to get a permit to volunteer, she was more or less told to go away.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 9, 2011, 10:32 PM)

La Isla

Mar 9, 2011, 10:35 PM

Post #7 of 14 (4136 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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Thanks for clarifying that, Rolly. But if you have an FM3 lucrativa and all your work is done online for a foreign employer, how will you pay taxes on your earnings? Obviously, you're not going to give your employer recibos de honorarios?

richmx2

Mar 10, 2011, 2:03 AM

Post #8 of 14 (4131 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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I'm not sure this is quite true, Rolly. I did some work in a Mexico City company office, paid through the U.S. branch with no problems (of course, I should add that the company's owner had some ties to Carlos Salinas).

I did a lot of contract technical writing, which could be done pretty much anywhere. I worked on a manual being written for a company in the state of Kansas, from my home in Missouri, which required working over the phone with the developer in Great Britain (I got jet lag without leaving the Kansas City) and had to pay income tax in Canada... my "place of employment" being the developer's Montréal office.

Assuming Ron's employer isn't making his residence in Mexico a condition of employment, and he's not paid in Mexico, nor producing work that requires him to be in Mexico, I don't BELIEVE (but can't swear) he's considered employed in Mexico.

And, I'm not sure anyone at INM knows for certain either.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

(This post was edited by richmx2 on Mar 10, 2011, 2:13 AM)

Rolly

Mar 10, 2011, 7:20 AM

Post #9 of 14 (4074 views)

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Re: [richmx2] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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The informaion I offered came from an INM workshop in SMA as reported by Carol Schmidt some time ago.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

richmx2

Mar 10, 2011, 11:34 AM

Post #10 of 14 (4030 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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Goes to show I should never ass-u-me :-)

Maybe I should amend that to read, "Unless one is working for Carlos Salinas' relatives..."

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

roni_smith

Mar 10, 2011, 5:10 PM

Post #11 of 14 (3979 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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Thanks Rolly and the rest of you for your responses.

This may be even more important now. My wife's immediate supervisor asked her is she would be willing to telecommute once we move. She works half-time and I would be cutting back to half-time - if it works out. We will not rely on that income in retirement, but it would sweeten the pot considerably.
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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

sparks

Mar 10, 2011, 5:20 PM

Post #12 of 14 (3972 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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Well the US needs your jobs and maybe after 6 months+ in Mexico you might decide they need it more than you

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

roni_smith

Mar 10, 2011, 5:26 PM

Post #13 of 14 (3961 views)

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Re: [sparks] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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In Reply To

Well the US needs your jobs and maybe after 6 months+ in Mexico you might decide they need it more than you

We'll find out. I figure there is only about a 50/50 shot of it happening with me.
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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

tashby

Mar 10, 2011, 6:59 PM

Post #14 of 14 (3940 views)

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Re: [roni_smith] Re:Working for American organizations via the internet

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You're not alone on this one.

There are a lot of people who live in Mexico (and elsewhere) who do work for clients back in the old country via the internet.