Remain on, or join, Tufts payroll with frequent travel

If full-time in-country staffing is not needed, then frequent travel by U.S.-based staff may be a good solution that avoids many of the complications of employing someone based in the foreign location. This is only an option if the employee is a resident of Massachusetts for more than six months per year. Combining this option with another option can also be a good solution. For example, local nationals could be hired through a local partner and then the U.S.-based Tufts staff could travel to train the local nationals and provide oversight. As long as employees spend more than six months of the year in the U.S., they will usually be considered based in the U.S. and can be paid via the Tufts payroll. It is, however, critical to contact Global Operations to confirm.

Good

• Avoid foreign employment complications
• Full Tufts affiliation and benefits

Bad

• Difficult to predict travel within tax threshold
• Travel expenses can add up
• Use of office space and other activities can trigger permanent establishment and tax liabilities

Budget Considerations

• Salary
• University Fringe Rate
• Travel Expenses

Next steps

• Contact Global Operations to determine/verify the tax threshold for the location to ensure that the project needs can be accomplished through business travel
• If possible, the employee obtains a passport, visa, and work permits
• Tufts employees need to register their international travel with the Tufts Travel Registry