H1 and W-8 form question... advice needed :)

[faridwidjaya]

Hi all, got a quick question here..

I currently hold a valid H-1 visa and have been working in my company for 2 years. Starting last week, the church I attend ask me to lead the worship services and insist to pay me as well.

Eventhough I am not an employee, the church need to file taxes for the money they give me. To do this, they ask me to sign a W-8 form. They say this way I'm an 'independent contractor' and not working for them.

My question is this: Is this OK? Will this get me into trouble in the future? If this is not OK, is there any other form I should have filled in?

Thanks for all the help and have a great day!

Farid-

 

[great guru]

Hi all, got a quick question here..

I currently hold a valid H-1 visa and have been working in my company for 2 years. Starting last week, the church I attend ask me to lead the worship services and insist to pay me as well.

Eventhough I am not an employee, the church need to file taxes for the money they give me. To do this, they ask me to sign a W-8 form. They say this way I'm an 'independent contractor' and not working for them.

My question is this: Is this OK?

NOT OK


Will this get me into trouble in the future?

Definitely YES

If this is not OK, is there any other form I should have filled in?

Ask your H1 sponser company to bill the church and get the money through your pay check from your H1 sponser.

Thanks for all the help and have a great day!

Farid-

 

[faridwidjaya]

Whew! Thanks for the swift response, guru!

I had a feeling something was not done right. I just got it straighten up! Thanks a TON!

 

[great guru]

Whew! Thanks for the swift response, guru!

I had a feeling something was not done right. I just got it straighten up! Thanks a TON!

I should thank you, because lot of people receive their money through W8 and then come here to clarification about their wrong doing. By the time all the future damages were done.

Farid is good guy. By the bye are you from Sri Lanka or Ghana? Just guess

 

[faridwidjaya]

Guru,

I'm from Indonesia.

There's still one issue yet. I was talking to my bosses and the only concerns they have is that whether this is a 'legal way to do an illegal thing' - if you know what I mean by that. They think, if we as H1 holders by law cannot accept any payment from any other people other than the company and we get around that by funelling the money through the company - is that ethical?

 

[great guru]

Guru,

I'm from Indonesia.

There's still one issue yet. I was talking to my bosses and the only concerns they have is that whether this is a 'legal way to do an illegal thing' - if you know what I mean by that. They think, if we as H1 holders by law cannot accept any payment from any other people other than the company and we get around that by funelling the money through the company - is that ethical?

Now answer my question, what is your job title? and what kind of job you are doing for your H1 sponser? What kind/nature of businees your sponser company do?

To do work in the religious institution what kind of qualification or experience do you have?

Answer me first, I will tell you which one is ethical?

 

[faridwidjaya]

Now answer my question, what is your job title? and what kind of job you are doing for your H1 sponser? What kind/nature of businees your sponser company do?

To do work in the religious institution what kind of qualification or experience do you have?

Answer me first, I will tell you which one is ethical?

Guru, I'm a Software Developer. I'm doing programming for our company's accounting software. Our company does all kinds of computer related business: sales, services, softwares, etc.

The only qualification I have to do work in the religious institution is just my musical ability (singing + playing musical instruments)

Thanks for the time you take to answer my question, guru. I really appreciate this!

 

[great guru]

Guru, I'm a Software Developer. I'm doing programming for our company's accounting software. Our company does all kinds of computer related business: sales, services, softwares, etc.

The only qualification I have to do work in the religious institution is just my musical ability (singing + playing musical instruments)

Thanks for the time you take to answer my question, guru. I really appreciate this!

Since you company sells services, you can do computerized music along with song. If your coompany willing to invoice the Church, your working is ethical.
You are giving consulting in programming music and giving lecture in the form of songs.

Go ahead Gesus will help you.

If you are not convinced and you are more religious, there is another solutions
Do it for Free.

 

[faridwidjaya]

Since you company sells services, you can do computerized music along with song. If your coompany willing to invoice the Church, your working is ethical.
You are giving consulting in programming music and giving lecture in the form of songs.

If you are not convinced and you are more religious, there is another solutions
Do it for Free.

Thanks again for the advice. I'll probably end up doing this for free then. I wish my company would agree on your suggestion because that seems to be the easiest way.. Oh well..