| Pagine: < [1 2] | Freelancing in Mexico: Should I let clients believe I am still in the U.S.? Iniziatore argomento: Monica Davis
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Mary Stefan 
Stati Uniti
Local time: 07:50
Da Italiano a Inglese
+ ...
| My experience | Nov 11, 2009 |
Hi Monica,
First and foremost: Good Luck and I do hope you enjoy the expat life!
I moved to Dubai one year ago and can't really say my US based clients stopped contacting me because of my location.
One thing I've noticed though is that my database of European clients is increasing little by little. Is it my location or my rate (the dollar depreciation?!?)? Honestly, I'm not sure. I was in Cairo for one year before Dubai and none of my clients requested a renegotia... See more Hi Monica,
First and foremost: Good Luck and I do hope you enjoy the expat life!
I moved to Dubai one year ago and can't really say my US based clients stopped contacting me because of my location.
One thing I've noticed though is that my database of European clients is increasing little by little. Is it my location or my rate (the dollar depreciation?!?)? Honestly, I'm not sure. I was in Cairo for one year before Dubai and none of my clients requested a renegotiation of my rate based on my country of residence. You're changing your location, not your services!
I did sign-up for a Skype account which I use once in a blue moon: what's the point of freelancing if I have to stay in front of my computer waiting for clients to call?
The smartest thing I've done since I've started roaming around the globe was to buy a Blackberry. Make sure you don't go for the cheapest package which allows you to receive only a certain number of MB (this is the case in Dubai). I have unlimited Internet services for a fixed rate. What I love most is that my clients actually appreciate my speedy reply - if you do, you either get the job or you just let them know you're not available.
Again, from my experience as a PM, I assure you a fast reply is highly appreciated.
Regarding the beautiful taxes: I pay taxes in the US. I clarify this with the client prior to accepting the job. My rates are in dollars and I always invoice that way; the invoices specify only my US address.
All of the international wires go to my US bank and my PayPal account is linked to the same US bank account.
To take a side now, I believe you should let your clients know you're working out of Mexico.
Here is my experience and my only downfall since I've left the States:
I used to work for a very good US based agency who always sent me documents to translate for the State Department. Not only were the documents interesting but the check always arrived on time! Now, apart from a clearance (as the documents might be case-sensitive), an agency is sometimes required to use translators located in the US - based on a pile of agreements - and, should you work for such an agency and intentionally mislead them, you could be held liable. On the other hand, you might work for them and they might not mention this specific requirement to you because they "assume" you are in the States based on the information you provided.
Long story short, as soon as I informed the PM I had moved to Cairo the projects stopped.
I e-mailed him a month later but, even though the reply was decent, I've never laid eyes on a State Department document again.
Does the truth matter?
Kindest regards,
Mary ▲ Collapse
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Since you are in the country of your source language, it will enhance your understanding of local Mexican terms, jargon and usage. You can leverage this to make you more attractive to clients.
| | | | | They know now | Nov 12, 2009 |
Besides, if any clients search for you here on ProZ and see this thread, the cat is out of the bag anyway.
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Mary Stefan wrote:
I did sign-up for a Skype account which I use once in a blue moon: what's the point of freelancing if I have to stay in front of my computer waiting for clients to call?
The smartest thing I've done since I've started roaming around the globe was to buy a Blackberry. Make sure you don't go for the cheapest package which allows you to receive only a certain number of MB (this is the case in Dubai). I have unlimited Internet services for a fixed rate. What I love most is that my clients actually appreciate my speedy reply - if you do, you either get the job or you just let them know you're not available.
Hi Mary,
Just to clarify, you can get a SkypeOut account which will route your calls to your mobile in the country you are spending time but will be a domestic call for the person calling your number. That way, you don't have to spend time sitting in front of a computer if it's not necessary .
I have an iPhone to respond to clients as I am running around Madrid. I also have a SkypeOut number for U.S. clients to call me and for me to pick up on my iPhone if I'm not in front of my computer. This afternoon, I was having a coffee with a friend in the Plaza Tirso de Molina and I got an email from a client requesting a translation. While I was responding on the iPhone's keyboard, another client from the U.S. called me over my SkypeOut number. While I was speaking to this client, yet another client called me from Barcelona and it went to voicemail. Advantages and disadvantages of this, no doubt.
Best,
David
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| No need to worry, I guess | Nov 12, 2009 |
I understand your concern, I had the same worries about clients demanding lower rates when I moved my business from the Netherlands to Poland a few years back. The only requests involving lower rates came from clients in Poland itself, but they were just reflecting the normal rate level in this country. Apart from that, neither my existing clients nor new clients were expecting or demanding lower rates because of my place of residency. In the meantime, I have moved again to another country, and ... See more I understand your concern, I had the same worries about clients demanding lower rates when I moved my business from the Netherlands to Poland a few years back. The only requests involving lower rates came from clients in Poland itself, but they were just reflecting the normal rate level in this country. Apart from that, neither my existing clients nor new clients were expecting or demanding lower rates because of my place of residency. In the meantime, I have moved again to another country, and business continues as usual. I have to admit though that I had a solid client base right from the start when I made the move(s).
[Bearbeitet am 2009-11-12 19:02 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Monica Davis
Stati Uniti
Local time: 07:50
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
AVVIO ARGOMENTO | thanks for your advice... | Nov 13, 2009 |
Thanks again for all the feedback.
I do agree it will look good that I am living in a country where the source language is spoken. Talk about constant exposure! I will be up front about it, but make it clear my bank account is in the US - will probably put my US address on my invoices, since my bank account will be registered to that address (my mom's house) and I won't have permanent residence in Mexico - etc, etc. If I get a SkypeOut phone number, for all intensive purposes, it sh... See more Thanks again for all the feedback.
I do agree it will look good that I am living in a country where the source language is spoken. Talk about constant exposure! I will be up front about it, but make it clear my bank account is in the US - will probably put my US address on my invoices, since my bank account will be registered to that address (my mom's house) and I won't have permanent residence in Mexico - etc, etc. If I get a SkypeOut phone number, for all intensive purposes, it should make no difference to the client I'm in Mexico. I do agree transparency is the best policy and I am always one for honesty. Ideally, I could get a couple of clients BEFORE moving out of the country....but I barely have time with my full time job to devote much time to getting established on the side...
Lia - your experience would probably be very helpful for me to hear about. Expect a PM from me I love your idea about finding a Mexican client to get FM-3 status. That makes perfect sense. I'm still confused about taxes, with the whole "online" aspect of the work. If it's a Mexican client, I assume I would only pay taxes on monies earned from that client to the Mexican authorities, and continue to report US income to the US tax authorities. I will probably need to consult a tax account before making the move, but that is a topic for another thread
Thanks again, everyone. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Abba Storgen (X)
Stati Uniti
Local time: 06:50
Da Greco a Inglese
+ ...
| Don't worry about it... | Nov 13, 2009 |
"Just tell your customers that your business is based in the US but that you are staying in Mexico on a tourist visa. End of story, no evasions involved."
You don't need to tell anyone where you live, unless they' re asking you for tax purposes. Where you live as a tourist is your own business, not theirs. If you live in Mexico on a tourist visa, they this is what you are: A tourist (who lives in the United States and is having fun as a tourist in Mexico and is also servicing... See more "Just tell your customers that your business is based in the US but that you are staying in Mexico on a tourist visa. End of story, no evasions involved."
You don't need to tell anyone where you live, unless they' re asking you for tax purposes. Where you live as a tourist is your own business, not theirs. If you live in Mexico on a tourist visa, they this is what you are: A tourist (who lives in the United States and is having fun as a tourist in Mexico and is also servicing clients while on vacation).
a) When you are in a country on a tourist visa, you' re just taking a trip (such as vacation, not different). Therefore, Mexico is not your country of residence.
b) Your real place of work is essentially the Internet.
If a New York agency has an office in Egypt, should the Egypt office work with different rates? Where is the agency actually? It's in New York. An associate chose to stay in Egypt. Big deal.
Same with you. Your residence is in the United States. You took a trip to Mexico. That's all.
c) No need to change anything, because you' re working over the internet. My address says Philadelphia USA. However, do you really know where I am physically located now that I'm typing this message? I could be in Sourth Africa. You don't know. You do not need to know. It's my business, not yours.
Therefore, if a client asks me "where do you live?", it's not their business, since we work over the internet, UNLESS they' re asking me to sign papers for tax purposes (W-9). Still, I can be based in the U.S. and pay taxes in the U.S. (in which case I state my U.S. address in my W-9), but I can also be on a temporary trip to Greece for a few months...
Professionalism has nothing to do with it. I'm sick and tired with all these messages in here sticking new definitions to professionalism which do not exist. They always say "be a professional and do this" and "be a professional and do that". Each professional is different than the other and the way you conduct your business and your personal vacations can't be determined, defined, or judged by arbitrary definitions on professionalism.
If you have a tourist visa, then officially, you are a United States professional on vacation in Mexico. Period. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Abba Storgen (X)
Stati Uniti
Local time: 06:50
Da Greco a Inglese
+ ...
| Think "vacation" | Nov 13, 2009 |
Imagine what would happen everytime I told clients "I'm in Greece now..." (I'm there a lot)...
Better keep things as they are. Your place of work is the internet, not a specific location (except for tax purposes).
In the meantime, enjoy Mexico!
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Anne Bohy
Francia
Local time: 13:50
Da Inglese a Francese
| 1-800 call forwarding | Nov 13, 2009 |
You won't be the first translator living in between two countries...
Anyway, we're talking about doing business here, it does not have to be where you are living. As you are a U.S. citizen, a DBA is probably enough, but something like an LLC would probably have more visibility to your customers, and will show them that you are doing business in the States. You will pay taxes for your LLC income in the U.S., even if you are not resident.
Concerning the phone number, a 1-800 number wi... See more You won't be the first translator living in between two countries...
Anyway, we're talking about doing business here, it does not have to be where you are living. As you are a U.S. citizen, a DBA is probably enough, but something like an LLC would probably have more visibility to your customers, and will show them that you are doing business in the States. You will pay taxes for your LLC income in the U.S., even if you are not resident.
Concerning the phone number, a 1-800 number with call forwarding service might be a good idea. I switch it when I switch countries, but customers don't use it much, actually. (Hey, I've to check the Skype option, too!)
I don't think that your customers need to know where you work from, but your U.S. customers will need to know at least if you're a resident or not (for the W9 form).
If you spend more than 6 months in the U.S., you're considered resident from an IRS standpoint (this determines also if you pay the self-employment tax or not).
Other countries like Mexico may have the same rule about residency, in which case you may have rather soon to file your income tax return in Mexico too. In this case, you will be taxable in Mexico for all your income (in Mexico or in the U.S.), but the amount you paid in the U.S. will be deducted from what you pay in Mexico. This is theory, but I suspect that the actual procedure may be more complex
I am speaking only of tax aspects here, not of Immigration aspects (visa).
Even if you are on a temporary tourist visa, even if you earn your money somewhee else, check whether you are taxable in the country or not, and pay what you owe.
Concerning your customers: they don't need to know much. Usually: tax status, timezone, availability. Make sure they know that, and explain what you want to about the rest.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Lest anyone think I would encourage lying ... | Nov 14, 2009 |
That was not my point, but as bohy said, "I don't think that your customers need to know where you work from" was.
Just to clarify.
Exactly because we are all working over the internet I don't think where you live is the big issue -- and therefore I don't think it's important to make a big deal about that.
You know what your home country is, where you pay your taxes, etc. As long as that information remains the same, what's the difference where you live?... See more That was not my point, but as bohy said, "I don't think that your customers need to know where you work from" was.
Just to clarify.
Exactly because we are all working over the internet I don't think where you live is the big issue -- and therefore I don't think it's important to make a big deal about that.
You know what your home country is, where you pay your taxes, etc. As long as that information remains the same, what's the difference where you live?
Again, to quote from bohy's post: "Concerning your customers: they don't need to know much. Usually: tax status, timezone, availability. Make sure they know that, and explain what you want to about the rest."
Good luck with all of it* ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I beg to disagree | Nov 14, 2009 |
Laurie Price wrote:
Exactly because we are all working over the internet I don't think where you live is the big issue -- and therefore I don't think it's important to make a big deal about that.
You know what your home country is, where you pay your taxes, etc. As long as that information remains the same, what's the difference where you live?
I don't do business with anyone - private person or company - unless I'm aware of their permanent residency/ registered office. Not knowing their residency status could have a number of implications as regards our mutual transactions, such as which VAT rules apply or which jurisdiction might be applicable in case of a dispute.
We can't, as yet, claim residency of the internet.
| | | | | Agree with Madeleine | Nov 14, 2009 |
And just to stress this a bit more, there are several US agencies which will only hire US citizens residing IN the US. If they hire you, you "forget" to tell them that you are not residing in the US (regardless of your immigration status in the other country), and they later find out, you might face some problems.
But the final point is one of confidence, I believe. I, too, would not want to deal with a provider who gives me a US address, without specifying anything further, and th... See more And just to stress this a bit more, there are several US agencies which will only hire US citizens residing IN the US. If they hire you, you "forget" to tell them that you are not residing in the US (regardless of your immigration status in the other country), and they later find out, you might face some problems.
But the final point is one of confidence, I believe. I, too, would not want to deal with a provider who gives me a US address, without specifying anything further, and then turns out he/she is residing in Japan or Bahrain. I guess it all boils down to not doing to others what you do not want them doing to you.
[Edited at 2009-11-14 14:07 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Marita La Palm
Stati Uniti
Local time: 07:50
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
| Feel free to contact me | Nov 14, 2009 |
Hi, Monica,
Feel free to contact me re. living in Mexico, what I know about the tax situation of both countries and also immigration (both ways.) I would be happy to share my experiences and help you not make the same mistakes I did.
| | | | Lizette Britz
Spagna
Local time: 13:50
Membro (2008)
Da Inglese a Spagnolo
Monica,
I spent this Summer in Guatemala visiting my family. Before I left I told my clients that I would be away from work for a few days travelling to Guatemala. Once I got there, I installed my Trados and sent emails to my clients letting them know I was back at work. I told them openly that I was in Guatemala with my family. I got no complains, some even wished me to have a nice stay. I accepted some translations while I was there at my usual rates. I have found that my Summer ... See more Monica,
I spent this Summer in Guatemala visiting my family. Before I left I told my clients that I would be away from work for a few days travelling to Guatemala. Once I got there, I installed my Trados and sent emails to my clients letting them know I was back at work. I told them openly that I was in Guatemala with my family. I got no complains, some even wished me to have a nice stay. I accepted some translations while I was there at my usual rates. I have found that my Summer stays in Guatemala are good for my business, because I keep in touch with the language and I can pass that expertise to my clients. It has also helped me land one or two translation jobs, because that was the factor that made them choose me =o)
Just one thing, check your internet connection. I do not know how it is in Mexico, but in Guatemala when you have a problem with the internet connection it can take days to get it fixed. Also the speed of the connection is slower.
Liz
[Edited at 2009-11-15 00:32 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kroz Wado
Giappone
Local time: 20:50
Da Giapponese a Inglese
| "On holiday" | Nov 19, 2009 |
Just say you are based in the US but that you are in Mexico for the next few months. No deceit involved.
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