A German manufacturing client learned the hard way that their EU contracts didn’t protect them in U.S. courts. We had to rebuild their entire U.S. legal framework after a distributor dispute. If you are expanding into the U.S. these are things you need to know early.
Here’s what every foreign business needs to know:
1. Your Home Country Contract Won’t Cut It
U.S. courts regularly reject clauses like:
✖ “Exclusive jurisdiction in [home country] courts”
✖ “Penalties prohibited” (often unenforceable here)
My solution: We create parallel U.S. versions of key agreements.
2. State Laws Vary Dramatically
Example: What’s considered a trade secret in Texas might not qualify in Massachusetts.
3. Employment Law Surprises
A UK client was shocked to learn:
– Most U.S. employees are “at-will” (can quit/be fired anytime)
– Non-competes are now banned in some states
– Overtime rules differ by salary level
My Expansion Roadmap:
1. Entity selection analysis (LLC vs. Corp)
2. State-by-state compliance review
3. Customized employment agreements
Avoid expensive U.S. legal surprises. Contact us at Visa Immigration Pro. Our international business experience is sure to help you.
Small Business Tax Deductions: What Your Accountant Might Miss
If you are running a small business then you need to pay attention to your tax deductions. After reviewing a client’s QuickBooks last year, we uncovered $28,000 in overlooked deductions—enough to fund their new hire. Most CPAs are great with numbers but don’t know legal nuances like:
1. The “Hidden” Home Office Deduction
You don’t need a separate room. One client deducted:
✔ 15% of rent for kitchen table workspace
✔ Portion of homeowner’s insurance
✔ Even their dog’s vet bills (for security during client meetings!)
2. Legal Fees You Didn’t Know Were Deductible
Many business owners miss:
– Contract review costs
– Trademark filings
– Employment dispute legal fees
Recent win: We helped a client deduct $12k in contract review fees.
3. The “Triple Dip” Retirement Strategy
For self-employed clients, we often:
1. Deduct employer contributions to Solo 401(k)
2. Take personal deduction for employee portion
3. Claim retirement plan startup credits
My Audit-Proof Approach:
– Document everything with contemporaneous notes
– Leverage little-known IRS rulings
– Align deductions with business strategy
Want to pay less legally? Contact Visa Immigration Pro for a deduction review.
