STRANDED IN THE USA OR EUROPE? COVID-19 TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS

COVID-19 TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS

Impact on foreign business travelers, executives and their employers

COVID-19 has left visitors, business travelers and executives stranded in their country of destination – be it in Europe or the United States – and potentially subjecting those individuals and their employers to that nation’s income tax. Likewise, employers confronted with stranded foreign employees on temporary missions must handle any consequences of over-staying a visa or a temporary work contract in compliance with immigration and employment laws. Some countries have relaxed some of these rules while others have yet to provide the necessary guidance.

Join us for a discussion of some of those situations and the various relief measures introduced and how they work. We will be having a closer look at the implications for employers and individuals in the United States and Europe.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

Taxation of Employers and Individuals

• What are the taxation rules in the United States?
• What are the current relief measures in the United States?
• What are the common taxation rules in Europe?
• What is the effect of the OECD recommendations?
• Can these stranded Individuals give rise to a permanent establishment of the Employer?
• Have any remedies been applied by countries?

Immigration

• What can I do if I am unable to depart the U.S. before my authorized period of admission expires?
• What are acceptable ‘business visitor’ activities?
• Due to the impact of COVID-19 on business operations, employers are dealing with layoffs, furloughs, or termination of employees.  How does this impact employees on nonimmigrant work visas?
• I planned on going to the U.S. Consulate abroad to apply for a new visa stamp.  Can I still go?

SPEAKERS:

Curtis Best is a Managing Director in Andersen Tax’s New York Office. He is an international tax specialist with over 25 years of experience in corporate and international taxation. Curtis specializes in global tax structuring and optimization for multinational companies, closely held corporations, middle-market business entities and related individuals. Before joining Andersen, Curtis was an International Tax Partner at Marks Paneth and RSM US. Previously, he served as the CFO and controller for a family-owned mortgage company. He started his career in public accounting with EY, later working with PwC and Arthur Andersen.

Scott Bettridge chairs Cozen O’Connor’s Immigration Practice and represents both corporate and individual clients in all aspects related to U.S. immigration law. Scott’s corporate clients include major global organizations in the financial services, hospitality, fashion, media, IT, energy, agriculture, insurance, and health care sectors, along with organizations specializing in professional services, athletics and private club industries. Scott also represents individuals with entrepreneurial options, as well as with family-based immigration matters. He also represents both regional centers and individual investors in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

David Roberts has over 20 years of experience working with international high net worth individuals and families on tax and financial matters. David qualified as a tax professional in the United Kingdom and has worked in the UK, Singapore, Miami and New York during his career. David has been a speaker at seminars on international tax issues and participates in the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the professional body for international estate planning. Before joining Andersen, David worked for a major international private bank where he structured and implemented strategies for international clients using trusts, corporations and private funds. Before that, David was with Arthur Andersen.

José Suárez is a partner with Spanish law firm Pérez-Llorca’s tax team. He specializes in proceedings before the Tax Authorities (audit and collection proceedings, appeals, tax rulings) and Courts of Justice, and leads the firm’s private client practice. For over 14 years, he has provided tax advice to high net wealth individuals and family offices and businesses in relation to structuring, estate planning and day-to-day advice, as well as directors at multinational corporations, mainly in relation to incentive plans and tax residency aspects. His expertise also covers accounting regulations.