GTN Mobility Tax Blog

When employees relocate across borders, whether internationally or within the US, they can face major tax complexities. A move from a low-tax location to a high-tax location, for example, can significantly increase their tax liability. Beyond this, they may face challenges related to the sale or rental of a home, moving expenses for state reporting purposes, residency issues, and a range of other tax considerations they may not be prepared to handle on their own.

This year marks GTN’s 25th anniversary. Since our founding in 2000, we’ve seen the world of global mobility transform in ways few could have predicted. From the early days of spreadsheets and manual tracking to today’s digital platforms and strategic mobility programs, the pace of change has been extraordinary.

For us, our 25-year milestone is more than just a number – it’s an opportunity to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned while helping companies support their mobile employees across industries, countries, and business cycles. While every client program is unique, certain themes have stood out over the years.

Here are six of the most important lessons we’ve learned from 25 years of supporting mobile workforces.

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Managing mobile employees across borders can get complex fast. From tax residency and short-term business visitor rules to payroll, social security, and treaty relief, there’s a lot to coordinate to stay compliant and reduce risk. That’s why the Mobile Workforce Collaborate (MWC) hosted a corporate-only roundtable designed to help HR and mobility teams tackle these challenges in Canada, Mexico, and the UK, with clear, practical takeaways.

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Managing mobile employees across borders, in locations like Italy, Spain, and the US, can quickly become complex. From navigating tax residency rules to coordinating payroll and social security, there’s a lot to consider to stay compliant and avoid risk. That’s why Mobile Workforce Collaborative (MWC) recently hosted a corporate-only webinar bringing together HR and mobility professionals for an in-depth discussion on how to manage cross-border mobility in Italy, Spain, and the US. 

In today's interconnected world, the complexities of managing a global workforce extend far beyond cultural differences and time zones. One of the most intricate challenges facing multinational companies is the nuanced task of international payroll administration.

Picture this: You're a global mobility manager, and you've just wrapped up preparations for your top performer, Susan, to take on a strategic assignment from the United States to Germany. The logistics are in place—her household goods are en route, her work permit is secured, and her cost-of-living allowance is calculated. You're feeling confident until Susan poses a question that catches you off guard: “Will I be paid in dollars or euros?”

Imagine this: you are sitting at your desk working to finalize the weekly status update. In walks the president of the company and says, “In order to increase our business, we are expanding overseas. I would like to send Jane Smith to Germany for three years. How soon can you make this happen?”

I’ll bet the questions that race through your mind are the same as every other HR manager tasked with sending employees internationally for the first time:

• Where do I start?
• What do I need to consider?
• What processes need to be in place?