Why require that translators live in a certain country? Thread poster: Sergio Samoilovich
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I found many requests in Proz where the agency demands residence in the US.
What is the reason? Is it for tax purposes?
Patriotism? Cultural barriers? They do not trust foreigners?
I found some speculations in other postings about good communication within the US but they are not satisfactory for me. Today we have good internet access in very remote places.
| | | | Dyran Altenburg (X) 
United States
Local time: 16:17
English to Spanish
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Quote:
On 2002-10-08 18:58, TwArg wrote:
What is the reason? Is it for tax purposes?
Patriotism? Cultural barriers? They do not trust foreigners?
Well, it could be a number of things. Maybe they don\'t want to spend money on long-distance phone calls. Or maybe they need people who are familiar with US Spanish and US English on a daily basis.
It could also be that... See more Quote:
On 2002-10-08 18:58, TwArg wrote:
What is the reason? Is it for tax purposes?
Patriotism? Cultural barriers? They do not trust foreigners?
Well, it could be a number of things. Maybe they don\'t want to spend money on long-distance phone calls. Or maybe they need people who are familiar with US Spanish and US English on a daily basis.
It could also be that \"dirty cheap\" translators is not what they\'re really looking for. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Tovbin
United States
Local time: 15:17
Member (2006)
Russian to English
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There could be a number of reasons:
1. Translators are easier to reach (not much time difference), easier to manage (control)
2. Translators know local realities and the way things are said and done.
3. Tax reasons (request the translator\'s social security number and submit it to tax authorities later).
And many of the others you name.
Regards
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Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for wanting the translator to live in a certain country (needing someone in their same time zone, or who can pay a quick visit to their office). Other times, like when an agency is asking for translators in Argentina or other countries going through a difficult economic situation, they are just trying to take advantage of this, offering rates that are way below international market levels.
Steer clear from the latter!
<... See more Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for wanting the translator to live in a certain country (needing someone in their same time zone, or who can pay a quick visit to their office). Other times, like when an agency is asking for translators in Argentina or other countries going through a difficult economic situation, they are just trying to take advantage of this, offering rates that are way below international market levels.
Steer clear from the latter!
Cheers,
Andrea ▲ Collapse
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Parrot
Spain
Local time: 22:17
Spanish to English
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| I get requests for translators in the same city | Oct 8, 2002 |
Taxiing distance in the case of CD originals (taxis do messenger services where I live), easier phone contact, easier to remedy in case of no-show...
VAT discount is also a common financial reason.
Localisation is another common motive.
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Thanks for your input. Then, in some cases, I could bypass the limitation by:
- incorporating a company in the US,
- using a representative there,
- moving there.
- re-encarnating there.
Mmmmmmmm....
Andrea, I got your message... If you are going to the Tortoni or the Tigre meetings, maybe we can talk about catching US based jobs, pricing policy, brand development, alliances ... See more Thanks for your input. Then, in some cases, I could bypass the limitation by:
- incorporating a company in the US,
- using a representative there,
- moving there.
- re-encarnating there.
Mmmmmmmm....
Andrea, I got your message... If you are going to the Tortoni or the Tigre meetings, maybe we can talk about catching US based jobs, pricing policy, brand development, alliances and the like... Or else, write me at [email protected]... ▲ Collapse
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...it has to do with dialect.
...it has to do with taxation.
...an interpreter is required (needs to appear in person.)
...it is gov\'t work that requires a citizen of country x.
...it has to do with payment being made in the local currency (this is less of an issue in the US, as many translators will accept dollars).
From what I have seen, rarely are the reasons to require translators from a certain country superficial (patriotism, et... See more ...it has to do with dialect.
...it has to do with taxation.
...an interpreter is required (needs to appear in person.)
...it is gov\'t work that requires a citizen of country x.
...it has to do with payment being made in the local currency (this is less of an issue in the US, as many translators will accept dollars).
From what I have seen, rarely are the reasons to require translators from a certain country superficial (patriotism, etc.) Most businesses would not limit their options without valid reasons. ▲ Collapse
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Quote:
On 2002-10-08 23:53, TwArg wrote:
Thanks for your input. Then, in some cases, I could bypass the limitation by:
- incorporating a company in the US,
- using a representative there,
- moving there.
- re-encarnating there.
Yes. You can also get a US tax id--I understand that this is very easy (easier, anyway than reincarnating). Has anyone done it?
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| Done what, reincarnating? | Oct 9, 2002 |
Just joking!
I agree with Henry. Our agency goes abroad and actually prefers in-country translators for multilingual projects that are more in touch with current variances.
paola l m
| | | | | Conservative accounting practices | Oct 9, 2002 |
Quote:
On 2002-10-09 06:27, 1964 wrote:
But sometimes, when you see some agencies accepting international recruitments/freelance work but others not even if they are in the same region.As they have the same regulations in the same region they might be expected to behave in the same way.
I mostly attribute this differences in the same region to Accounters , some of them
are more reluctant to adapt th
... See more Quote:
On 2002-10-09 06:27, 1964 wrote:
But sometimes, when you see some agencies accepting international recruitments/freelance work but others not even if they are in the same region.As they have the same regulations in the same region they might be expected to behave in the same way.
I mostly attribute this differences in the same region to Accounters , some of them
are more reluctant to adapt themselves to such relatively new international working mode, adopt a conservative position.
I have run into this more than once, too, when after receiving a text and delivering the translation wholly by electronic means, the client asks me, \"we have your cheque ready, when can you drop in to pick it up?\". I have some EX-clients, who, even when they could be persuaded to deposit the fees electronically into my bank account, insisted on having me appear in person to sign certain tax forms which require the provider\'s signature.
These are generally direct clients, a reason why I prefer to work more and more only with agencies. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Employer Identification Number, also known as tax i.d. | Oct 9, 2002 |
Hello,
To apply for an Employer Identification Number, fill out the IRS form SS-4. At the IRS website, you can download instructions and the form. The instructions really give you some good tips for getting started, reporting requirements and so on.
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html
Regards,
Melissa
| | | | | High banking fees and taxes | Oct 12, 2002 |
A couple of days ago, I had a minor translation to do which was around 50 Euro only. In this case it was a must to have a partner in the same country not only for tax reasons. If you pay 50 Euro to a foreign bank account, the participating banks already take 12 from both sides, the rest goes away to income taxes.
Thus, it would be ridiculous to contract somebody abroad. You then better take your motorbike and have a fun ride...
A job across borders should bring at ... See more A couple of days ago, I had a minor translation to do which was around 50 Euro only. In this case it was a must to have a partner in the same country not only for tax reasons. If you pay 50 Euro to a foreign bank account, the participating banks already take 12 from both sides, the rest goes away to income taxes.
Thus, it would be ridiculous to contract somebody abroad. You then better take your motorbike and have a fun ride...
A job across borders should bring at least 500 Euro to each party to be profitable.
I doubt that somebody - especially in the translation business - is that conservative as to hire only fellow-citizens. This is an archaic way of thinking that should have been killed with Hitler and all the others.
As being self-employed, the very first question after \"Can I handle it?\" should be: Will this job be profitable? If not, leave it, if yes, find a way... ▲ Collapse
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