zutnop
These posts are probably from summer of 2015 when the online ordering was launched and the operations didn't manage to keep up with the waiting list.
> Do not agree. At the end of the day you need just one tax consultant.
If you're running a one-man show, then the sum of costs matters a lot. Simpler framework -> less help needed -> less hours on the invoice -> money saved. I haven't ever needed a tax consultant for my own undertakings, but then again I'm an Estonian and I don't have the tax-residency-in-another-country angle. But as we are talking generally, without specific examples, then let's agree that:
1) one definitely needs to look into this subject before deciding on the best course of action when starting a business anywhere (do a total cost of ownership for the next 3 years, etc.),
2) this area needs modernization as more and more people are moving around the globe every year.
> Sorry but this is getting now bold.
My intention wasn't to imply that US is for shady offshore stuff. Or that offshore/nominee stuff needs to always be shady. I only wanted to say, that if you happen to be the guy wanting to do shady offshore stuff, then Estonia is not the place :).
> Sorry have to disagree here again.
Let's agree to disagree for now, and let's re-evaluate our opinions in a few years when these new programs have had a change to make their stand.
Br, Erko
#1 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/best-v...
Timelines:
Does anyone have any actual info on the Atlas timelines/waiting lists? I haven't seen a single success story/blog post discussing this. Atlas FAQ states 2 weeks to get up and running (tax ID and payment acceptance), but when asked about waiting time, their answer is "We don't have an exact timeline for adding new users, but we'd love to chat more about your use case".
e-Residency (from application to card delivery) should take 2-3 weeks. Not months.
Taxes:
The difference in the level of complexity of US vs Estonian tax rules can't be described in words :). That's why you will need the huge number of tax advisers/lawyers in US, and you'll pay them.
I'm not really sure any person, who's not a resident of US and is not living there, would benefit from having a body with tax residency there, if there aren't other compelling reasons. For example, you would do this if your funding source is coming from there, because funding is better than no funding, no matter the taxes.
Funding/holding:
US has a huge advantage here, clearly!
Transparency:
Estonia is playing for total transparency and an efficiency heaven. If you want to do shady offshore stuff, then this is not for you. #nopanamapapers
TL;DR: Starting and new VC funded startup or a big corporation -> US. Starting a one-man online business (and currently not a tax resident of US) -> Estonia!
1) law change for allowing bank account opening without physically coming to Estonia is in the government and should be in force by Autumn
2) our customers are successfully using different payment providers
3) LLC is the "de facto" incorporation type for our customers
4) Becoming an e-resident won't make you an Estonian tax resident, so you don't have to worry about your worldwide income. But when you start an Estonian company then the company finances/taxes have to be done by Estonian laws/rules.
5) Going to Estonia is like going to other European countries. You need transportation and a place to stay and you get them via normal means online :). Visa requirements depend on your real residency. Being an e-resident doesn't change this. For more info: http://www.visitestonia.com/en/
6) For physical coworking space, just google "coworking tallinn" or something similar. Should be plenty of spaces available. If you wan't to see the other end of Estonia, then "coworking tartu" :).
Erko, from LeapIN
Our take on e-Residency: https://www.leapin.eu/articles/e-residency
So whether I send 5€ to my mother, or I sell my car to a stranger on other side of the country, or I submit my yearly tax data, or I complete my 1 000 000 € M&A deal, I use my digital identity (PKI infrastructure) to sign the transaction.
The physical ID-card itself is not the most user friendly token in this Estonian infrastructure (requires the reader + op system drivers/soft). The alternative token is Mobile-ID, where the same PKI infrastructure is deployed onto my phone SIM card and I use my mobile device to authenticate / authorize my transactions. At the moment this only works with certified Estonian carriers but in 2016 the next generation of mobile support should make this channel usable over the whole world.