Loading...
Answers
MenuClose friend from outside the U.S asked me if I can use my account to receive money for his online payments. How much % should I charge him?
My friend wants to sell his apps and receive money from his work but he is a foreign guy who can't set up an account in the U.S (and his country, Bolivia, doesn't have banks that work with paypal or any other service that can facilitate this.). I want to say yes but I don't know how much should be my cut if I consider income taxes and other logistic expenses. Any thoughts?
Answers
Depending on average transaction size, number of transactions and the potential risks you are taking on (i.e what are you responsible for if your friends product or service isn't delivered on?). Anywhere from 2-20% could work depending on the above.
As for accounting, I would recommend keeping the transactions in a separately coded lines of revenue and expenses so you can clearly show the in and out flow of money for his app. It will be taxed as income so you can include that in your fee if you wish.
Also know that banks these days are very sophisticated with detecting fraud and money laundering so ensure you document the arrangement with your friend so you can easily show everything is on the up and up.
I hope that helps!


Hello, I have experience in the international trade and payment issues around the world.
You should be aware that, under your national legislation the incomes perceived in your account will be accountable and you should declare and pay the relevant taxes. Anyway, I am not and expert in the American taxes, so I am no going to enter in this issue.
I should assume that your friend is interested in selling his apps in the USA market, and I should assume that is your trusted friend, so there are some options that should consider as the incorporation of one company under American Laws , where you and your friends will be partners, so the incomes will be shared following the distribution you agree, so you can help your friend providing for a service he needs and you will have separated bookkeeping. This issue takes some steps from the negotiation to the distribution of dividends.
If you have the relevant information, we can arrange a call to check everything in detail.
Related Questions
-
How are SaaS companies taxed?
Same as any other entity (or person). Entity pays taxes in it's domicile jurisdiction. Best you talk with a tax preparer in your home country to ensure you have all the details. And... If you're a US citizen + your SAAS company is generating massive cash, likely best to organize your entity in a low tax jurisdiction, like Bermuda which is home to Google, Intel, Verizon, etc. And... best wait till Trump's new tax bill passes. If he has his way, corporate taxes may drop to a point low enough to keep your business in the US.
-
How do I use a second job offer to improve the lowball offer for the job that I prefer?
Don't use leverage. Just simply say, I would need $150k and gently say, that you have been offered that amount by another company, but would prefer to work for company B. They will get the point and at least give you their best offer and probably will not be offended. After all, you are in the Marketing field. You are allowed to market yourself also. This shows that you value your contribution and they should too. Best of Luck, Mike From the Trenches to the Towers Marketing I will be glad to help as my time permits.
-
Do I have to file form 5472 for "additional paid-in capital"?
Yes you should be reporting the capital contributions. Under the old Form 5472 rules, it's true that only items that impacted taxable income would be reportable transactions. So, a capital contribution by you to the corporation would not be reportable, unless the equity contribution was somehow below or above a fair value contribution in exchange for services that you might provide for the corporation - essentially an imputed reportable transactions. When the IRS changed the Form 5472 rules to require non-U.S. owned single member LLC's, they expanded the reportable transaction definition to include virtually everything. The term “transaction” is defined in Treas. Regs. Section 1.482-1(i)(7) to include any sale, assignment, lease, license, loan, advance, contribution or other transfer of any interest in or a right to use any property or money, as well as the performance of any services for the benefit of, or on behalf of, another taxpayer. So, for example, contributions and distributions would be considered reportable transactions with respect to such entities. These amounts can be reported on Lines 12 and 25 with an explanatory footnote that clarities the amounts are capital contributions and not amounts that impact taxable income.
-
I'm a business in Canada (QC) that mostly does business with USA based clients over the web. What taxes do I need to apply?
I will answer this is the simplest form I can. Basically in every country to conduct business in you will need to pay taxes in that country. If you have an office, employees or your revenue comes from that country you have to pay taxes. These taxes will include State, Federal and Sales Tax. Moreover, this at the beginning will make you think you are paying double tax since this income also has to be paid with your local government, but it isn't so bad. This could be a great opportunity to build a tax strategy where you can take advantage of multi country taxation which can lower your overall tax bracket. There are several steps you have to do to conduct business in the US, such as incorporating first as a foreign corporation in the state you chose (Preferably one with no state tax) then filing your taxes. Your tax preparer in Canada will have to take this in consideration since there are forms he has to fill out to cancel either you Canadian Income Tax or your US tax preparer to fill out the return not to pay taxes here but in Canada... whichever tax you have to pay depending on the international treaties they have.
-
A VC/Angel I am negotiating with wants a clause whereby founders have to sell all vested shares if they leave in good terms. Is this normal?
NO, it's in no ways normal. In reading how you have framed the question, this investor sounds to be acting in bad faith and is also setting you up to fail by introducing terms that are not standard to how quality investors interact with their investee companies. It is however very standard to have a first right of refusal to purchase your shares should you wish to sell. But that is not at all what you have stated. Happy to talk through the particularities of your situation in a call