It is, or it is not U.S. Activities?

I wonder they're not but ...

[fischermx]

When I enter my tax information on the Google Adsense program, I found a place a bit contradictory.
When you declare your self of Foreign Publisher with no U.S. Activities, it says owing a web server or hosting services in the U.S. might be considered having U.S activities.
However, in a similar paragraph, but in the "wizard" part of the form fill it says that generally, using a third party webhosting services does not constitute U.S activities.
So!?

[Leosghost]

Owning a server is not the same as renting one ..
just being hosted on a server in the US is not the same as selling hosting services from a server in the US..

Of course if you are renting server space and then reselling the space as a hoster ..that may be a different "paire de manches"..

If it were the latter probably the best idea would be to incorporate in the US somewhere like Nevada or Delaware or whatever is your preference .

[fischermx]

Well, so, that's ad more complexity, lol.
What if I buy my server, and fedex it to a rack space rental service... will that totally change my international tax situation? I don't think so.
That's why I found weak and confused what google says there.

[andye]

What if I buy my server, and fedex it to a rack space rental service... will that totally change my international tax situation? I don't think so.

I wouldn't assume that. Google seem to be saying that it would - presumably they have taken some advice on this. Owning a server located in the States would mean that you have assets there - if you're only leasing one then you don't.

It may seem silly, but owning versus leasing can make a big difference financially (to depreciation, tax, etc). I don't see why it shouldn't affect international tax issues - seems pretty sensible for it to do so, in fact.

hth, a.

[fischermx]

Yes, you're totally right.
The "owing assets in the USA" is the strong part.