Question re contract with EU based company also having branch in US...

[Boo]

Hi,

I have just received a contract for MyCo to provide services for a company based inside the EU (but outside the UK). (Almost) all the work will be performed from MyCo's offices, but it may be necessary to to onsite installs etc at the end of the contract, and this will take around a week to do.

I am completely confident that I need pay no tax outside the EU in respect of this contract but am unsure what the situation is regarding the US office if I need to work there for a week ?

Obviously, I could just visit for a week "on vacation" and nobody would be any the wiser, but practically speaking I would need to carry armfuls of specialist hardware and it might look a bit suss at immigration... So can anyone tell me what is the deal wrt this sort of thing in the USA ? Will I need a working visa or is there a getout clause for people selling stuff into the USA where they need to perform onsite services as well, or what ?

Thanks,

Boo

[Boo]

Answer me, damnit.

Boo

[jamesbrown]

I think you're good w/r to installing equipment in the US under the visa waiver. IIRC, this is not classified as productive work, and a quick Google suggests that my recollection is right (scroll down to Service Engineer):

Nonimmigrant Visas | Embassy of the United States

Taxation isn't an issue here, at least for the above.