Opening a webcam studio in Romania...questions about tax.

[suebelhor]

Ok so long story short I am opening a video chat/webcam studio in Bucharest. I will need to have an apartment (in my name) a website, studio accounts on all the major cam sites (Livejasmin, Streamate, ect) , payout tool which is Payoneer, and a business license to I am legal. I have 2 romanian partners who are helping me with this. My question is what things should I keep in my name/not in my name to keep me protected. Should I open an offshore account? I want to control all the financials but I also dont want to be fully responsible for the full tax which is very high. Also I am a USA citizen will i have to pay even though I will be over there freom feb26 for a year? thanks

 

[SinMedia]

Two romanian partners to help with??? How did it go?

 

[grigoryev2008]

in romanian is full a webcam studiou all most girls works for home, thake care 2 romaniam guys "maybe is scam" where do you fund this guys, you need to have a offshore acount and to send in romania the money to pay the girls, what city do you want to make the studiou , if you have more question can you send me a pm whit your skype and talk more, im from romania to.

sorry for my english

 

[phracktl]

As a US citizen you are taxed on worldwide income - even if you are abroad (non-resident status with the IRS has a threshold of ~$80k I believe. But there are many conditions you should look into and enquire with the IRS about tbh).

The big boys offer useful general informaiton that can help you plan the best way to structure and make tax arrangements. Eg http://www.deloitte.com/romania

Theres a taxation agreement between US/Romania. Deloitte says that "Subject to income tax are the following individuals:
• Resident individuals;
• Non-resident individuals performing freelancing
activities through a permanent establishment in
Romania;
• Non-resident individuals performing dependent
activities in Romania;
• Non-resident individuals obtaining other
Romanian source income."

As for what should be not in your name - well, thats down to how willing you are to leave your wallet in the hands of your business partners

 

[raffael213]

I'm from Bucharest, Romania and you can find a lot of girls that want to do this, but be aware of who will do the documents for you. I think I heard of some people that are doing this kind of scam.

I won't help you with the documents for this, but if you need help getting girls to do this. I finish college last year

 

[steelballs]

No comments on the business issues, my first worry would be the local mafia moving in on the operation for a large share of profits in return for protection from Police prosecution et al...

My opinion is you must have 'Rocks in Your Head' to even think about such a set up in Romania...

 

[grigoryev2008]

is not legal in romania to have a webcam studiou, the big studiou have offshore account, you need to have conection in police, and is hard to find girls because all work for home

 

[SinMedia]

is not legal in romania to have a webcam studiou, the big studiou have offshore account, you need to have conection in police, and is hard to find girls because all work for home

You can have a studio in Romania, pay tax and everything. And you don't need an offshore account.
And No, not all the girls work "for" home!

 

[Roparadise]

1. Webcamming is perfectly legal in Romania, infact its legal everywhere. Its actually what is done on webcam which may or may not be legal in certain countries. But Porn (especially solo porn) is legal in Romania.
2. You don't need to worry about the mafia, Majority probably 95% of studios are owned by investors. That see the ROI is freaking great for the webcam industry. Most people like to spread rumours that adult business is heavily involved with mafia people but its not. It was rumoured that the top porn sites in the world were run by Russian Mafia, but it turned out to be a German tech guru

 

[John.]

Did this ever take off?

 

[sadicool]

All off what you say are lays...
I am from romania, if he want to do it legal it will pay taxes if ge want to do it ilegal it will not pay taxes.
I can offer more details if someone ask me..
I am looking for an american citizen.. to do a business like that.

 

[byloav]

I am interested in opening a business like this to I mean, maybe I can visit this girls sometimes, I have money so If anybody has a business idea let me know!

 

[BlackSea1]

I am interested in opening a business like this to I mean, maybe I can visit this girls sometimes, I have money so If anybody has a business idea let me know!

American living in RO for 4 years - knows all the ins and outs of videochat studios as they are called here. Most studios are NOT legal and pay no tax, some pay protection spaga some dont depends on how many toes you step on. Videochat is not specifically legal or illegal rather it exists in a grey area. Couples on cam are considered pornography and are illegal. If you mind your own business, keep your nose where it belongs and dont bring excess attention to yourself the ROI can be huge. n

 

[John.]

Do you have any link to the law(s) in relation to this?

American living in RO for 4 years - knows all the ins and outs of videochat studios as they are called here. Most studios are NOT legal and pay no tax, some pay protection spaga some dont depends on how many toes you step on. Videochat is not specifically legal or illegal rather it exists in a grey area. Couples on cam are considered pornography and are illegal. If you mind your own business, keep your nose where it belongs and dont bring excess attention to yourself the ROI can be huge. n

 

[BlackSea1]

Do you have any link to the law(s) in relation to this?

I can find them. There are several but unless you can read Romanian Google, Bing or whatever translator you use will give you a terrible translation that would make it even more muddled than it is.

 

[John.]

All I can find are laws clarifying what is legal and what is not legal, but nothing I can find states that pornography is in any way illegal, eg. http://www.legi-internet.ro/en/roma...tion-and-fighting-of-pornography-romania.html

Would like any link you can send, I can scan with auto translator and pass it onto a native speaker if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

I can find them. There are several but unless you can read Romanian Google, Bing or whatever translator you use will give you a terrible translation that would make it even more muddled than it is.

 

[TheMarquis]

American living in RO for 4 years - knows all the ins and outs of videochat studios as they are called here. Most studios are NOT legal and pay no tax, some pay protection spaga some dont depends on how many toes you step on. Videochat is not specifically legal or illegal rather it exists in a grey area. Couples on cam are considered pornography and are illegal. If you mind your own business, keep your nose where it belongs and dont bring excess attention to yourself the ROI can be huge. n

"some pay protection spaga" Too funny =)))

 

[BlackSea1]

"some pay protection spaga" Too funny =)))

but not so funny when the toes you step on knock on the door and there are 10 guys with arms like cannons wanting a piece of you. It will eventually happen paying for protection happens all day everyday. You just need to find the biggest dog.

 

[Mike8960]

Hi,

I am also interesting to open an studio in romania. We are 2 austrian who want to open one. We are interesting in an romanian partner, that can help us.

Best regards

 

[BlackSea1]

Hi,

I am also interesting to open an studio in romania. We are 2 austrian who want to open one. We are interesting in an romanian partner, that can help us.

Best regards

If you would like to know the ins and out, the pitfalls and the highlights let me know. Been living here for 4 years and have owned 2 studios and assisted in the opening of several more.

BTW - word of wisdom: Many Romanian partners have a voracious appetite for other peoples money