Would someone, for example, my eh, friend, be able to visit the US on a tourist visa while telecommuting to work in their home country?
The intent of my “friend” would be to visit the US for the 90 days allowed for tourists from the country my friend lives in, while still doing their home work. Would this be allowed?
And if it were, would the US charge tax on their income while they were working based in the US?
Nobody’s going to stop her from using the Internet.
This stuff can get complicated depending on the specifics but, in this case, your “friend” isn’t a U.S. citizen or resident and I agree that anyone can use the internet in the U.S. International business travelers do it from all directions. As long as you don’t establish real residency in the U.S., there shouldn’t be any issue.
Thanks for your responses. I realise that not telling is one option for my friend but are there legitimate ways of doing this?
You would have to ask a lawyer about that. I am not sure it is a question of being illegitimate under those circumstances. Foreign workers travel to the U.S. all the time to do work and vice versa but they aren’t citizens or residents and their companies aren’t based in the U.S. so there isn’t anything to tax.
Just trying to be clear here:
[ol]
[li] Is your friend visiting the USA as a tourist (tourist visa) who may want to do some telecommuting back to their home country and not conduct “business” with anyone while in the USA? If so, then “don’t ask, don’t tell” and all should be fine, as long as they keep their mouth shut and just be a tourist.[/li][li] Is your friend visiting the USA as a tourist (tourist visa) who may want to do some telecommuting back to their home country and conduct “business” with anyone while in the USA? If so, then there is a potential visa violation.[/li][/ol]
A work visa.
No business in the US. Just spend some dough while there.