Legitimacy of earning revenue from freelance work? EAD approved, no GC yet

[Ally86 0]

I remember long ago, when initially reading about the whole I-129F process, that it would not be permissable to earn income during the immigration process, until a certain point. Whether that was an H1 visa (which I think has this restriction) or also the K1 visa I had and adjusted from, I can't quite remember.

My situation is thus:

I arrived on a K1, admitted into the country in October 2014. Got married in November. Submitted AOS I-485 package in January. Received EAD in March 2015. We have a pending I-485 case, so haven't got the interview for the conditional green card or actually adjusted status yet.

I'm interested in earning some extra income while looking for a job (indeed, to supplement my income once I have found a job), using freelancing websites.

Since it essentially counts as 'work' for income, is it legimiate to do this during this process? And how do I report the income when it comes to filing taxes?

I don't want to commit to any 'on the side' work if it can get me into trouble.

And by 'on the side' I don't mean to imply the definition used in the UK to mean working for cash without reporting tax.

One of the websites I could earn money using is registered with the US tax office, and I have to file a US tax form in order to earn money from it, though it's headquartered in Berlin, Germany. It all seems above board, but I'm unsure. I don't want to abandon my application by doing something outlawed by the restrictions on my status.

[vicks5721 18]

you have your EAD so you can work now, but you will have to pay tax as it is still work

Edited March 8, 2015 by vicks5721

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

With the EAD, you can work as a freelancer. You will also be responsible for reporting the income on your taxes.

[Sirliner 26]

Go for it. Work is work, whether it's as a freelancer/independent contractor or as an employee. How you report it as income to the IRS depends on whether any of these websites send you a 1099 form at the end of the year. And even then, you only have to file a tax return if your income exceeds a certain amount, I think somewhere in the $9-10,000 range or so. If it's noticably above that, you are suppose to make quarterly estimated tax payments.

[Sirliner 26]

Go for it. Work is work, whether it's as a freelancer/independent contractor or as an employee. How you report it as income to the IRS depends on whether any of these websites send you a 1099 form at the end of the year. And even then, you only have to file a tax return if your income exceeds a certain amount, I think somewhere in the $9-10,000 range or so. If it's noticably above that, you are suppose to make quarterly estimated tax payments.

Couldn't edit my post, but it's earned income above $6,100 that requires filing a tax return.

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Couldn't edit my post, but it's earned income above $6,100 that requires filing a tax return.

If he is treated as an independent contractor then he must file a return if his earnings as an independent contractor exceed $400.