B1 visa- Monthly salary in Local Currency.

[shamima1261]

I am working in a scientific organization as a full time officer.I get monthly salary from it. I am also working as a freelancer online (in odesk.com)and earn about $800-900 US Dollar per month.Can I add this money with my salary.For example, I am getting RS 20000 as full time officer and RS 50000 as freelancer.Can I say that I get RS 70000 as monthly salary.

I will be grateful if anybody answer this question.

[raghvi]

I am working in a scientific organization as a full time officer.I get monthly salary from it. I am also working as a freelancer online (in odesk.com)and earn about $800-900 US Dollar per month.Can I add this money with my salary.For example, I am getting RS 20000 as full time officer and RS 50000 as freelancer.Can I say that I get RS 70000 as monthly salary.

I will be grateful if anybody answer this question.

As long as you pay taxes on it and file IT returns for it.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[shamima1261]

As long as you pay taxes on it and file IT returns for it.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

Thank you for your answer.I created My TIN number few days ago but I didnot submit returns.Will they ask me about returns?I also heard that freelancing work from abroad get tax waiver.

[raghvi]

Whether Free Lancing is taxable or non taxable depends upon the country in which you currently work. Last I read, it is taxable both in US and in India.

Even if it is not taxable the way most of the tax laws work globally is that one declares all the income and then claims tax rebate on certain portion of the income through necessary exemption clauses, not vice versa, by saying that a particular income is not taxable hence I will not declare it.

Long story short, though the VO may not ask for IT Returns, they would certainly be interested in knowing the source of your stated income and some sort of valid proof that you indeed are earning that. You can show bank statements for that purpose, but then it leads to discussion that this is freelancing, non regular income , thereby making the VO think twice about it. This will probably lead them to look at your secondary reasons to come back to home country, your spouse, family ties etc.

If you tell the purpose of your B1, duration, family ties, age then probably other forum members can also assess and suggest ways for you to tackle the B1 interview.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[shamima1261]

Whether Free Lancing is taxable or non taxable depends upon the country in which you currently work. Last I read, it is taxable both in US and in India.

Even if it is not taxable the way most of the tax laws work globally is that one declares all the income and then claims tax rebate on certain portion of the income through necessary exemption clauses, not vice versa, by saying that a particular income is not taxable hence I will not declare it.

Long story short, though the VO may not ask for IT Returns, they would certainly be interested in knowing the source of your stated income and some sort of valid proof that you indeed are earning that. You can show bank statements for that purpose, but then it leads to discussion that this is freelancing, non regular income , thereby making the VO think twice about it. This will probably lead them to look at your secondary reasons to come back to home country, your spouse, family ties etc.

If you tell the purpose of your B1, duration, family ties, age then probably other forum members can also assess and suggest ways for you to tackle the B1 interview.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

Thank you for answer in details. I am really grateful to you.My condition is as follows
Working as scientific officer earning USD350
Working as a freelancer earning USD 800-900

working as a scientific officer for 8 years
Married and have 2 children
Have land in my country in my name but very small amount
I am doing my PhD in my home country

Purpose of visit: will attend an annual meeting and expo in a scientific organization related to my work area.I am member of this USA institute(for 4 months) which arrange this program.I will say for 5 days

Main problem is that I could not find any way to show my income separately in DS 160 form.

If I show salary combined in the box(Monthly salary in local currency) and they ask my employer about my salary they my treat me as fraud.
If I not show my freelancing income in the box (Monthly salary in local currency) they may refused for very small salary.They may think this amount is not enough.
Please tell me what I can do in this situation.I am eagerly waiting for any response .Specially thanks to raghvi