Don't have enough to worry about?
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, up floats the issue of taxes and the artist visa.
First consideration: Who pays the taxes? Is it the foreigner, the sponsor or someone else?
Most U.S. income received by a foreigner (while on an artist visa), is subject to a U.S. tax rate of 30%.
If you're lucky, there's a tax treaty between your home country and the U.S. The U.S. has tax treaties which makes foreign artists exempt from U.S. income taxes - with certain limitations and income ceilings.
If you are eligible for an exemption, you must file Form 8233, “Exemption from Withholding on Compensation for Independent Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual." See http://www.irs.gov/
This same Form 8233 is needed if your income comes through a foreign or U.S. management agent.
You'll just love this form: On it you must list all the visa details from your passport for the last several years.
If you tour extensively - this can take forever.
More: You must include your social security number OR furnish a U.S. issued Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) on your tax return. An ITIN can be gotten by filing Form W-7. See http://www.irs.gov/
All of this is simply to ensure you can legally perform in the U.S.
OK, you thought it was difficult enough to put together all the support material. Remember that the tax issue is a minefield, or you can call it a 'maze', if you want to be polite...
Cost Considerations
Take into account all of the following expenses when planning to come to the U.S. to perform (so there are no surprises.):
Grant applications;
Contract negotiation;
Planning 'Artist in Residence' events;
Renting technical gear;
Technical contract review, negotiation and adherence;
Marketing and promotion;
Reserving rehearsal time at venues;
Hiring page turners, piano technicians, etc.;
Designing programs, flyers, bios, etc.;
Lodging and meals; and/or
Travel to airports and local transportation.
Getting an artist visa is a big expense and so is putting your music out there for the public. Be practical!
Need more help?
Check out the following websites:
Artists From Abroad, part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. See http://www.artspresenters.org/
The American Symphony Orchestra League See http://www.americanorchestras.org/
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services See http://www.uscis.gov/
Internal Revenue Service See http://www.irs.gov/
Special thanks to Carlos Vega for his paintings that are featured on this blog.
Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, up floats the issue of taxes and the artist visa.
First consideration: Who pays the taxes? Is it the foreigner, the sponsor or someone else?
Most U.S. income received by a foreigner (while on an artist visa), is subject to a U.S. tax rate of 30%.
If you're lucky, there's a tax treaty between your home country and the U.S. The U.S. has tax treaties which makes foreign artists exempt from U.S. income taxes - with certain limitations and income ceilings.
If you are eligible for an exemption, you must file Form 8233, “Exemption from Withholding on Compensation for Independent Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual." See http://www.irs.gov/
This same Form 8233 is needed if your income comes through a foreign or U.S. management agent.
You'll just love this form: On it you must list all the visa details from your passport for the last several years.
If you tour extensively - this can take forever.
More: You must include your social security number OR furnish a U.S. issued Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) on your tax return. An ITIN can be gotten by filing Form W-7. See http://www.irs.gov/
All of this is simply to ensure you can legally perform in the U.S.
OK, you thought it was difficult enough to put together all the support material. Remember that the tax issue is a minefield, or you can call it a 'maze', if you want to be polite...
Cost Considerations
Take into account all of the following expenses when planning to come to the U.S. to perform (so there are no surprises.):
Grant applications;
Contract negotiation;
Planning 'Artist in Residence' events;
Renting technical gear;
Technical contract review, negotiation and adherence;
Marketing and promotion;
Reserving rehearsal time at venues;
Hiring page turners, piano technicians, etc.;
Designing programs, flyers, bios, etc.;
Lodging and meals; and/or
Travel to airports and local transportation.
Getting an artist visa is a big expense and so is putting your music out there for the public. Be practical!
Need more help?
Check out the following websites:
Artists From Abroad, part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. See http://www.artspresenters.org/
The American Symphony Orchestra League See http://www.americanorchestras.org/
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services See http://www.uscis.gov/
Internal Revenue Service See http://www.irs.gov/
Special thanks to Carlos Vega for his paintings that are featured on this blog.
