GTN Mobility Tax Blog

Navigating the complex landscape of global mobility tax compliance is no small feat for HR and mobility program managers. From understanding intricate tax treaties to managing the tax implications of your cross-border employees, staying informed is crucial to effectively oversee a company’s mobile workforce. At GTN, we strive to provide clarity and in-depth insights into the most pressing issues faced by mobility professionals.

In an ever-evolving global landscape, staying informed about mobility tax is crucial for HR, global mobility, and global tax professionals. This summer, AIRINC and Global Tax Network are joining forces to bring you a comprehensive three-part webinar series designed to keep you at the forefront of mobility tax developments.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of self-initiated global mobility moves, where employees relocate internationally with little or no company assistance. These types of moves, often referred to as "off program" or "self-requested," present unique tax challenges for both the employees and employers involved—especially when HR managers and companies are trying to balance cost considerations with their duty of care to employees.

This article was originally published in Corporate Compliance Insights.

Business travel is once again raging and is mobilizing the already travel-happy workforce even more. The Global Business Travel Association expects global business travel spending to overtake pre-pandemic levels, reaching $1.4 trillion this year. It also predicts it will accelerate to $1.8 trillion in the next three years.

This resurgence in business travel adds to a remote workforce that’s more active than ever, with 58% of employees now saying they have access to some type of remote work option.

However, international and remote work often creates complicated tax situations, inviting a long list of new compliance risks. All the while, members of the mobile workforce are largely unaware of the tax and compliance risks they’re putting on themselves and their companies by participating in remote or international work.

As businesses expand their reach across state and international borders, the tax implications of having employees travel for work becomes increasingly complex. Companies often require employees to travel for work assignments, projects, or meetings, which can inadvertently create tax reporting, withholding, and filing obligations that many organizations overlook. Surprisingly, even a short business trip lasting just a single day can potentially trigger tax compliance requirements in the visited jurisdiction.

Has this happened to you? Your company has a mobile workforce spread out over multiple jurisdictions, and you realize you need help with the mobility tax complexities that come with having employees working outside of their usual location. So, you reach out to a well-known, large accounting firm offering an impressive list of services, technology, and experts, and who may already be providing corporate tax services to your company.