Trivial Question: Internet Investments

[puranjay]

This would be a very trivial question.

I'm in the US on a F-1 visa.

I've invested money in internet domain names, which are essentially contracts to use/buy/sell/lease an internet web address for a specified period of time. I actively buy/sell these domain names, but earn NO regular income from them. I make a profit only when someone buys my domain name.

Is this kind of investment allowed to a F-1 visa holder? The thing with internet domain names is that I can own them from ANYWHERE in the world. Thus, they are 'global' property in a way, and does not belong to any particular place. Since they are 'contracts', they don't 'belong' to anyone either.

I know I should be consulting a proper immigration attorney in this case, but any help here would be appreciated.

[GreatGuru]

you can do it legally.

As far as you are not working for somebody and getting pay checks or no pay checks.

This would be a very trivial question.

I'm in the US on a F-1 visa.

I've invested money in internet domain names, which are essentially contracts to use/buy/sell/lease an internet web address for a specified period of time. I actively buy/sell these domain names, but earn NO regular income from them. I make a profit only when someone buys my domain name.

Is this kind of investment allowed to a F-1 visa holder? The thing with internet domain names is that I can own them from ANYWHERE in the world. Thus, they are 'global' property in a way, and does not belong to any particular place. Since they are 'contracts', they don't 'belong' to anyone either.

I know I should be consulting a proper immigration attorney in this case, but any help here would be appreciated.

[immihelp]

However, if someone is going to send you 1099 for the income generated, you are in trouble.

[puranjay]

Thanks
I looked up the 1099 form. I don't believe any of my work has anything to do with individual contractors. I merely buy and sell names, from the owners themselves, so it is, in a way, merely the buying and selling of individual goods, except that the value of the goods is quite large (though the volume is very small)

[knowledgeable]

Talk to your CPA

.