China Expats

[crabman]

Have been told I have made the short list for a Technical Advisor role in Tianjin, China. 1 in 5 chance of getting it at the moment I have been told.

Anyone ever worked there or worked in a foreign country?? Just want to know what I should be thinking of doing now as a precaution to having to make the move etc. I will probably be forced to lock and leave my house or rent dirt cheap to a mate so that is one less worry at least. 2 project cars may go to Sims metal :P

Also, AL accountants, are all tax breaks for working overseas gone these days, any loopholes to get out of paying for 'stuff and services' I clearly wont be using.

Cheers

[Mad_Aussie]

If cookie goes to Sims, you need to be punched in the eye :P

[manual]

You mean Tianjin right? Ignore the practicalities, just enjoy the experience, the food and the location! I have had coworkers ex-pat to China but I don't know the complete ins and outs. They also ex-pat'd to Shanghai but I assume it could be similar.

[RGVFAST]

Mate worked in China for 5 years, now speaks perfect Chinese and picks up Asian hotties in Perth karaoke bars. Win win.

[MRO]

I have a mate who works for Westrac who is in Tainjin in China at the moment. Been there for two years and just signed another two year contract.

I am an accountant (not really a tax specialist) but as far as i am aware employment income earnt in another country is not taxed in australia as long as you work more than 90 days. Not sure what tax you will pay in china.

[crabman]

Yeah my bad, been googling the city so much I forgot to double check spelling haha.

Westrac hey..... what's his name??

[2jzlux]

I have a friend that works offshore and his money is only taxed when he brings it back into the country in more than 10k lots.

[OmEg_A7]

Have you been to China before?

[crabman]

Nope, expecting a big change but all for it. I know Tianjin ain't no picturesque rice paddy fields on a side on a hill. Its an 'economic zone' aka industrial city :p

[MRO]

Yeah my bad, been googling the city so much I forgot to double check spelling haha.

Westrac hey..... what's his name??

Paul Peet

[crabman]

Ah yeah did phone interview with him, seems like a top guy. Also has a familiar face and can't put my finger on where I have worked with him before when I was a fresh apprentice.

[MRO]

Ah yeah did phone interview with him, seems like a top guy. Also has a familiar face and can't put my finger on where I have worked with him before when I was a fresh apprentice.

Thats funny, small world.
My wife and i went out with his wife and kids yesterday (they are on holiday in Perth for the month). He is a good bloke and easy going.

Apparantly negative 14 in China yesterday - enjoy!

[-Luke-]

I've got a mate that also works for Westrac who's working in China currently, He's not rating it very highly at the moment!

[MRO]

How does China pay compare with North WA pay?

[-Luke-]

Thats one of the issues he's having. I dont know the in's and out's but there has been some f-up with westrac hr and payrolling system so he's paying bulk tax. All his expenses are covere while he's there but the Money side is causing him grief.



having worked for westrac I find it hard too believe they would fuck-up you pay...:D

[Ryan1080]

I am an accountant (not really a tax specialist) but as far as i am aware employment income earnt in another country is not taxed in australia as long as you work more than 90 days. Not sure what tax you will pay in china.

Negative. The law has been changed about 2 years ago with 23AG(1AA) in the 1936 act. That "over 91 days" exemption only applies to foreign aid/charitable workers, or military personnel. :(

Also there is more to it than that. I got a similar issue myself where my missus moved to France to work for a few years. If I don't go and join her, she will continue to be considered as an australian resident for tax purposes, and get taxed by aus govt, even though she's earning her income over there, how long for is irrelevant, simply becasue she has a 'connection' to australia.

To anyone considering doing this, and tax benefits seem to be a big plus, I suggest you get a proper advice, as this is a very grey area.

I'm not an expert on foreign tax stuff though

[MaTMaN]

Negative. The law has been changed about 2 years ago with 23AG(1AA) in the 1936 act. That "over 91 days" exemption only applies to foreign aid/charitable workers, or military personnel. :(

Also there is more to it than that. I got a similar issue myself where my missus moved to France to work for a few years. If I don't go and join her, she will continue to be considered as an australian resident for tax purposes, and get taxed by aus govt, even though she's earning her income over there, how long for is irrelevant, simply becasue she has a 'connection' to australia.

To anyone considering doing this, and tax benefits seem to be a big plus, I suggest you get a proper advice, as this is a very grey area.

I'm not an expert on foreign tax stuff though

I have been advised the same multiply times when i also had job offers from overseas. The expat gravy train in regards to no, or low income tax ended a few years ago.

[Ryan1080]

Yeah, basically unless you're willing to properly move out of Australia for the duration of your employment overseas, together with your missus/kids etc. you'll still be paying Australian tax.

[crabman]

Well I am single so my only connection to Australia would be a mortgage and the rego on a car and a boat. Where do I find one of these foreign tax income pro's. I was starting the think the way a section of the pay is in allowances so it can be arranged as a tax write-off/tax free portion of income.

Westrac never get pay's wrong, you clearly worked for a different Westrac Luke :P

Who do you know there? Oliver/Mark??

[Ryan1080]

Well I am single so my only connection to Australia would be a mortgage and the rego on a car and a boat. Where do I find one of these foreign tax income pro's. I was starting the think the way a section of the pay is in allowances so it can be arranged as a tax write-off/tax free portion of income.

An allowance is still taxable in your hands, except that employer doesn't withhold tax from it because presumably you have business expenses that you can claim against it on your tax return. If you don't, you'll pay tax.

If you're single with no kids it will be a lot easier then. As far as everything else is concerned, you need to still demonstrate you have 'left' Australia, as in you're not living here. So say, if you were to be working a few weeks overseas, then come back to your house in Aus on your break, then back to work again, over and over every single time, then you'd still be caught by aus tax system, because it would appear that you're still residing here in your free time. Rent out your house to a tenant, organise a new house overseas to live in, and don't be coming to Aus often enough to make it look like you're coming home after work, and you should be fine. I don't think cars matter, I'd probably sell it anyway, unless it's something special. Cars are irrelevant honestly, you can own assets here. Just that you have to show it is not your home anymore.

When missus was departing Aus, work sent us both to Ernst & Young to have our situation assessed. Her work paid so don't know how much it cost, probably a few hundred bucks.

[dagonite]

I know Tianjin ain't no picturesque rice paddy fields on a side on a hill. Its an 'economic zone' aka industrial city :p90% of China is "economic zone aka industrial city".

Tianjin is pretty big, but most of the places I've stayed over there for work have been pretty boring compared to Beijing, no pumping clubs... but then, Beijing is only an hour or two AU$1.50 train ride away going at 300km/h :-) You can get fucking anything over there...

At least the air is a little bit clearer than other places... pollution is pretty fucking bad in Beijing.