Canadian Webmaster - Visa Thread

[Shoplifter]

I'm hoping to islolate discussion on the new Visa regs and how they pertain to Canadian webmasters here.

So far I understand it will either be necessary to register a USA corp and have all funds go to USA bank, or that it is possible to register existing Canadian corp to do business in the USA and still use a Canadian bank.

Can anyone clarify exactly what is going on?

[49thParallel]

On the risk of posting on every thread that relates to this issue... Globill deals with Canadian webmasters..I use them and have been very happy with them.
They are not implementing any new fees...and have assured me that they are in no way effected by this decision. Check them out...

[BJ]

Originally posted by 49thParallel
...and have assured me that they are in no way effected by this decision.

Yet....... tick tock

[kong]

Shoplifter,

I talked to epoch earlier today, no one there could really give me a straight answer.

You need a "US presence." I dont know if registering a US corp is good enough... we might need an actual office/address(was told PO boxes) in the states.

Feel free to email me [email protected]... we can talk more about this and try to find a solution.

This shit is a BIG pain in the ass... tax's are going to be a bitch.

-Sean

[Petr]

I just got a message from Rand saying that they don't know yet and that they should have more info next week.

[Apollo]

You could also use a canadian processor. I'm just not certain if they charge in US funds (I would assume that they would offer it though)

[kong]

Originally posted by Petr
I just got a message from Rand saying that they don't know yet and that they should have more info next week.

Next week doesnt leave much time...

[Shoplifter]

I just got off the phone with a rep at WSB.

He had said that he was told by Visa that a mere corporate entity in the USA was not enough. Visa will require that you are actually
a physical entity as well. He had mentioned that WSB was considering a service to provide legal set up and a physical presence including your own employee to answer the phone for your company for appx $3k per month. This was so absurd I couldn't believe it, but I think he was totally serious.

I would like to thank WSB for speaking with me...I am not even their client. My Ibill rep isn't even in the office today.

[cyberpunk]

For any felllow canadians out there I'll be happy to provide a US number, address for much less then 3k a month

[kong]

Originally posted by Shoplifter
I just got off the phone with a rep at WSB.

He had said that he was told by Visa that a mere corporate entity in the USA was not enough. Visa will require that you are actually
a physical entity as well. He had mentioned that WSB was considering a service to provide legal set up and a physical presence including your own employee to answer the phone for your company for appx $3k per month. This was so absurd I couldn't believe it, but I think he was totally serious.

I would like to thank WSB for speaking with me...I am not even their client. My Ibill rep isn't even in the office today.

$3K/month seems kind of steep... corp, ein and bank account can be setup for around $1500... hav'nt looked into the biz presence yet but I dont think it will run that much.

[SleazyDream]

good question. I have an employee in the USA - but my corporation is Canadian. I don't mind registering in the USA if I have to.


personally I think this is all about the scammers and I think it's a good thing that they all get cleaned out.

[snowpimp]

Originally posted by 49thParallel
On the risk of posting on every thread that relates to this issue... Globill deals with Canadian webmasters..I use them and have been very happy with them.
They are not implementing any new fees...and have assured me that they are in no way effected by this decision. Check them out...

I've also been using <a href="http://www.globill-systems.com/cgi-bin/webms/referral.cgi?parent=190764">Globill</a> for years and I've been more than happy with their service.

[Rip]

If it were only that simple

[CoolE]

This is a good idea for a thread.

From what I understand none of the 3rd party billers involved knows what is meant by "US presence". I was told by CCBill that they are seeking clarification from Visa. In the meantime they have told me that I should be thinking of a US LLC or corporation. They also "preferrably" would like to see a US bank account corresponding to this entity.

The LLC itself is pretty simple to set up I think. Nevada is the place of choice for many adult internet businesses for an LLC except those that sell drugs online. So too, I have been told, it is fairly easy to open a business bank account corresponding to the LLC.

But it seems it gets muddy trying to move the money to Canada. That's when holding fees and taxes kick in, perhaps; no one has been able to tell me for sure yet.

Very ugly.

To make matters worse I have been having trouble trying to find a law firm with the expertise in this area which is also willing to represent an adult site. The bigger firms in my city (which shall remain nameless) don't want to represent an adult site it seems, and the smaller firms I have contacted so far don't think they have the expertise and contacts (US lawyers) to advise me.

What I need is a US lawyer with corporate and adult law experience, a Canadian lawyer with tax and corporate law experience, a US accountant with Nevada LLC and international tax experience, and a Canadian accountant with experience in international tax law. The yellow pages just aren't doing it for me. :o(

[kong]

Sleazy,

Your in Ontario, right? Can you recommend a decent accountant that can handle US corporate taxes?

Thanks.

[quiet]

Originally posted by CoolE

But it seems it gets muddy trying to move the money to Canada. That's when holding fees and taxes kick in, perhaps; no one has been able to tell me for sure yet.

Very ugly.

indeed.

He had said that he was told by Visa that a mere corporate entity in the USA was not enough. Visa will require that you are actually
a physical entity as well. He had mentioned that WSB was considering a service to provide legal set up and a physical presence including your own employee to answer the phone for your company for appx $3k per month. This was so absurd I couldn't believe it, but I think he was totally serious.

i'd laugh if i was in that kinda mood.

Question: is it ever possible to transfer third party rebills to a new processor? I've always assumed the answer was no. The Canadian-based probilling looks good - but the rebills. the rebills...

[CoolE]

> but the rebills. the rebills...

And the affiliates. You would lose all your affiliates because they would feel (rightly) ripped off, and they would have to re-sign-up.

Changing processors is not an option for this dude.

[quiet]

Originally posted by CoolE
> but the rebills. the rebills...

And the affiliates. You would lose all your affiliates because they would feel (rightly) ripped off, and they would have to re-sign-up.

Changing processors is not an option for this dude.

i don't have any affiliates. i do have 15000 members though

[McAttack]

well... It might be worth to gang up a few webmasters, open up an office across the border and have one receptionist or something answering a phone. I'm gonna have to talk to my associates about this. Consider it a satelite office. Hell, I'd open it in NYC and go there on the weekends.

[McAttack]

Originally posted by quiet


i don't have any affiliates. i do have 15000 members though

Good god! 15000 members with no affiliates, so it's all you. Wow that's good man! Which site is your btw if you don't mind me asking?

[Rip]

I'd say for quiet, then you should definitely look at incorporating in the US and get a bank account, accountant etc

It's gotta be worth it for keeping that number of rebills, file a US tax return, and verse yourself on international tax law

[Fletch XXX]

Originally posted by McAttack


Good god! 15000 members with no affiliates, so it's all you. Wow that's good man! Which site is your btw if you don't mind me asking?

www.apple.com

[quiet]

Originally posted by Rip
I'd say for quiet, then you should definitely look at incorporating in the US and get a bank account, accountant etc

It's gotta be worth it for keeping that number of rebills, file a US tax return, and verse yourself on international tax law

yeah. it looks like either nightmarish taxes and hassle, or just sell. if only the rebills could be transferred...

[Shoplifter]

Originally posted by quiet


i'd laugh if i was in that kinda mood.

Today is certainly slipping into unreality. I think I can hear Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the sugar plum fairies" playing somewhere.

Quiet, can you get your Ibill rep on the phone? One of the guys I spoke to had mentioned that they were hatching some sort of solution to this, but that I should ask my rep about this. She is not available.

[McAttack]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX


www.apple.com

He's Steve Jobs??? WOW!

hehehe

[quiet]

Originally posted by Shoplifter


Today is certainly slipping into unreality. I think I can hear Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the sugar plum fairies" playing somewhere.

Quiet, can you get your Ibill rep on the phone? One of the guys I spoke to had mentioned that they were hatching some sort of solution to this, but that I should ask my rep about this. She is not available.

i've been unable to get a hold of her on the phone. sent out a couple of emails - no response yet.

[m0rph3us]

quiet, just buy out VISA and settle this for all of us ok?

[BJ]

Quiet, Im sure you have some trusted friends in the states that may be able to set up a corp for you and then transfer your site to them for tax purposes and avoiding double taxes. Something to discuss with an accountant though. Plus, I know you mentioned retiring.. so if you you have enough free cash flow you could push all your profits from your site into some type of a tax deferred or tax free shelter until you need it.

just a thought

[the indigo]

How about IBill Canada, Epoch Canada, CCBill Canada, etc...?

I can't believe the only solution is to move everything in USA. Fuck off... like if the internet incomes have to go in the US.

[I'm Slim]

I heard on another board, that Canadian companies wont need to register US companies...still unconfirmed

[Daymare]

From what I've read so far I think it's going to be a real pain in the ass if any Canadian like myself wants to own a paysite, that I have to inc. in the US just to accept visa.

visa

[Rip]

I had heard that there are 12 Canadian merchant banks which work with visa. None currently accept high-risk clients (adult internet)

[Fletch XXX]

Isnt getting around loopholes the reason this shit is going down?

Sure move everything to the US, start some biz in the states to get by on what you cant do from your own country?

Seems a bit backwards if ya ask me.

If you cant set up shop and do business from Canada, you should either move to the US or move somewhere where you can. Isnt there a reason these things are in place?

I dont understand the logic of making a front for a US based business here and live elsewhere and reap the benefits of the exchange rate you guys have laughed about making over the past 3 years.

[CoolE]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX
you should either move to the US...

I don't think "pornographer" would look good under "Occupation:" on a work-visa or immigration application. And what's the penalty for lieing on a visa application in America in the post 9/11 world? "Indefinite internment" isn't it?

Setting up a Nevada LLC is the route I am going unless some sort of exception or accomodation is granted for Canadian businesses.

I'll probably pay some US taxes (which will be deducted from my Canadian taxes) and will do so gladly.

It's not a "loophole" or dishonest Fletch - it's the way countries attract businesses and facilitate trade. How do you think Ford is able build and sell cars in Canada? Or Sony is able to build and sell TVs in the USA?

I don't see the problem. You are welcome to come up here and set up shop any time.

Or are you one of those anti-globalization anarchists?

[Fletch XXX]

I wasnt saying anything was right or wrong. Or dishonet. I simply am watching a bunch of people try to set up a store front in another country because its not able to be done in their own, thats all.

Not against international trade or whatever else ya might think. Hell thats what the internet IS.

Global porn trading. Was just saying why move shit here just to accept visa?

Fuck visa.

[CoolE]

Originally posted by Fletch XXX
Fuck visa.

Amen to that man.

[archer]

bump

[Shoplifter]

Today after getting no email or reply from the Canada rep (has anyone?) I called down to Ibill again.

I am hoping that Ibill is taking this precious time to make a definitive and succint announcement on what is going on for Canadian webmasters.

Today I was told by Howard at Ibill (not my rep) that Canadians
will just need an LLC, the cheque will still be mailed to Canada as always. Sounds simple enough, right?

If it comes to getting a Nevada LLC and tax number this means having a valid passport. Well a lot of people have this, but I do not. And getting my birth certificate to even apply for a passport
may take 3 weeks. I have a feeling that others may hit procedural snags like this as well. And of course I am just assuming that this is the route to take in lieu of any guidance whatsoever from Ibill.

But I have to say that most of what Visa has done has been anticipated, and the moment the 3 IPSP's made the post describing the problem they should have also been describing the solution.

From my talks with Ibill it seems that everyone there is of the opinion that something is being done to solve all these issues. I am hoping I will wake up like on Xmas tomorrow to find an announcement in the CMI with specific point by point instructions for their valued Canadian clients.

[quiet]

Originally posted by Shoplifter
Today after getting no email or reply from the Canada rep (has anyone?)

not me, or anyone else i've talked to

Today I was told by Howard at Ibill (not my rep) that Canadians
will just need an LLC, the cheque will still be mailed to Canada as always. Sounds simple enough, right?

If it comes to getting a Nevada LLC and tax number this means having a valid passport.

hmm. well if the want a tax number, won't that mean US tax implications?

Well a lot of people have this, but I do not. And getting my birth certificate to even apply for a passport may take 3 weeks. I have a feeling that others may hit procedural snags like this as well.

i travel frequently, so i've got a passport. lucky me. yes, it can take a long time to get one.

From my talks with Ibill it seems that everyone there is of the opinion that something is being done to solve all these issues. I am hoping I will wake up like on Xmas tomorrow to find an announcement in the CMI with specific point by point instructions for their valued Canadian clients.

amen to that

[Shoplifter]

Bumping this up again..

I spoke to my rep at Ibill today and it looks like what I had posted yesterday is pretty well the shape of things.

Personally I am now taking steps to do a Nevada LLC. The lack of state income tax and features like nominee directors make this seem pretty good. Plus if it is necessary to travel to Nevada it seems a better destination than Delaware.

If Ibill is obliged to report monies earned to the LLC's Tax Id then there will be the obligation to at least file Federal tax in the USA I am sure. Just have to cross that bridge when I come to it as there is really no choice now.

Please if anyone has heard anything else let us know.