sethryan

Hi everyone,

Background Info:

I am a US resident working for a .com company here in the states. It is a small family business with turnover/sales of around 1.5 million annually. There are eight employees and it is operating as an LLC, entirely over the internet. We do not have a store front, offices, property, or even a phone line.

The question:

I want to know what it will take to expand our business to Australia. Yes, in theory, we are a .com company and can reach users globally. But I want to promote the business on the ground level and deploy marketing efforts in Australia (myself) and register our .com.au domain name to follow suit. I understand that I need an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a Tax File Number (TFN) in order to apply for our domain name.

I intend to operate this expanded sector of the business with a shared ownership between myself and our company's current owner. I will hire two American employees (who are already trained and currently working) and myself to run the business. I need to figure out what legal form of business makes the most sense, and what tax implications will affect the business. I understand that the new Australian branch of the business will be required to file taxes and pay income tax to the federal government on income earned in Australia. But what defines income earned in Australia? The sales are made to Australian residents in AUD but conducted over the internet, not in a store front. The actual business will be run by American employees in the US. The server hosting is provided by a US company. The company will not own land in Australia, a store front, offices, or anything of the sort. We are simply making sales to Australian residents and promoting the business at the ground level in the industry. Any insight on this would be very appreciated.

If this quandary sparks anyone's interest, I have more questions to follow... such as, what is the best way to build an agreement with the current owner and myself (profit sharing? what percentages are reasonable?), and the best way to convert AUD sales dollars to USD payroll dollars- without taking a severe hit in the profits.

Really, I appreciate any insight.