I’m in Taiwan with a Working Holiday Visa, which is classified as a visitor visa but permits me to work. It has restrictions, though, such as working for one employer only for up to three months.
Now a company offered me contract work (software engineering) rather than hiring me as a regular employee. This is easier for them, as they can avoid the paper work for hiring a foreigner, and I’m ok with it, because I have all the insurancy I need back home. The pay is probably higher, too, because they don’t pay insurancy etc.
The questions I have is:
Is this legally unproblematic?
Do I need to pay taxes? How much, to whom and how do I do this?
Well not sure if it is legal. But i guess if it is you will have to pay tax. I think depending on how long you stay here you either have to pay it here or in Germany. In the worst case in both countries, but if you stay for one year this won’t happen, although it could be tricky if the wages are paid to your German bank account. It is not easy for German work and holiday makers here in Taiwan, so it is great to hear that you have found a job at all. In regards to contracting or freelance work as you may call it, I don’t know what the rules are in Taiwan, not sure if you have to register a business or not, others may be able to help you on that. I could imagine that there are ways to make things look like you are not even working in Taiwan
Out of curiosity it would interest me to hear what moves people to do work and holiday in Taiwan.
Ask them to pay you in cash and do not sign any paper saying you have received X amount ( since you are already in Taiwan ).
Of course since they are asking you to sign a contract it becomes a bit messy. You will need to read the contact carefully and also ask them how they will be paying you. A bank trasnfer or cheque from their company account to your bank account will bring up a red flag.
Bottom line is what they and you ( since you are not a local ) are doing is not considered legal.
If the contract work is not going to take more than 3 months, then better use your Working holiday visa and try to do everything legally.
I’ve never heard of Taiwan issuing working holiday visas, but I suppose it makes sense since countries like Australia and Canada issue them to Taiwanese. Perhaps you could share some of the details, and your experiences with it, on the forum.
