Can I develop mobile app and receive revenue from Google Adsense while in H1B.

[Sambit]

I am in H1B right now. Recently I have started creating mobile app. My application will be free, but it can generate revenue by displaying Google Ads. I hear people saying I my only source of income should be through my employer. My question is can I route the revenue coming from Google Ads directly to my home country bank account? That would mean I dont have income in US. How would USCIS look into this matter ? Please advise

 

Thanks
Sambit

 

 

[JoeF]

That would be a business, which you can NOT do on H1.

On H1, you can only work for your employer, and you can receive dividends from passive investments.

[JoeF]

Oh, and trying to get around the rules by using a home country account doesn't work.

You have to report your WORLDWIDE income in your US tax returns.

USCIS will find out!

[omshiv]

I don't think that's possible. Uscis will find out!

[jairichi]

No, that is illegal on H1B.

[Sambit]

Please explain on world wide income. Does that mean, H1 holders can only get income from US only ? What if for a scenario, I had a family business back in India and then came to US in H1 ?

 

Thanks

Sambit
 

[JoeF]

Please explain on world wide income. Does that mean, H1 holders can only get income from US only ? What if for a scenario, I had a family business back in India and then came to US in H1 ?

 

Thanks

Sambit

 

 

People on H1 are US Tax Residents (except maybe the first year.)

US Tax Residents have to declare their worldwide income on their US tax returns. See IRS Publication 519, Tax Guide for Aliens, in particular the Significant Presence Test.

On H1, a person can of course get passive income, i.e., from investments. That can be from other countries as well. But active income from working can only come from the US employer who filed the H1.

[wiweq]

Please explain on world wide income. Does that mean, H1 holders can only get income from US only ? What if for a scenario, I had a family business back in India and then came to US in H1 ?

 

Thanks

Sambit

 

H1b holder can have income from any country.

You had family business, and if you are assisting them from USA would be counted as work without authorization. 

[Sambit]

Thanks for clarification. Last question. Can a H4 holder develop mobile app and receive revenue from Google via Goodgle Ad display, directly to home country's bank account? Talking scenario of my wife who is currently in H4.

 

Thanks!

[rahul412]

Thanks for clarification. Last question. Can a H4 holder develop mobile app and receive revenue from Google via Goodgle Ad display, directly to home country's bank account? Talking scenario of my wife who is currently in H4.

 

Thanks!

H4 holder cannot work in US.

[JoeF]

Thanks for clarification. Last question. Can a H4 holder develop mobile app and receive revenue from Google via Goodgle Ad display, directly to home country's bank account? Talking scenario of my wife who is currently in H4.

 

Thanks!

Again, NO.

That is work, and somebody on H4 can NOT work.

[Sambit]

Thanks for clarification.