Post by scribe on Feb 26, 2023 22:24:57 GMT
I have accepted an expat offer in Dhahran. I’m going through visa medical now. I am scheduled to fly out March 31. GC 13. Bachelor status.
I have some questions I was hoping could be answered through this forum:
* does company cover the cost of Pricewaterhousecoopers tax preparation for US expats annually?
* After much confusing information, I think I understand how the hypo tax works. The FIT tax is the actual withholding for US taxes owed on my salary after deducting the $120,000 Foreign Income Exclusion for 2023, based on 24% tax bracket. The hypo tax amounts to taxes on all other income as if I lived in US. The vast majority of that income is tax protected by Aramco with the exception of annual bonus. I have no other income in US and my wife’s income in US is very small. At end of year when I file my joint US tax return, Aramco will do equalization. In new year, I will receive refund from Aramco for the portion of the hypo tax they took out of my paycheck in prior year that I didn’t actually owe IRS. They will pay those taxes through a gross up. My relocation advisor confirmed this is how it works. Anybody with first hand experience disagree?
*Annual travel allowance: Relocation advisor says I will get the full amount in my worksheet at end of December. Plus 10% for interim trip airfare. I will get 25% bump for annual trip in 2024. Sound right?
*Iqama: My relocation advisor says it could take 5-8 weeks after arrival. That sounds much longer than what I’ve read on this forum. Can someone provide some personal guidance?
*Work life balance: am I really able to detach at end of workday? Is there any kind of work done at home or on weekend?
*Dental services: Fees at JHAH seem kind of pricey versus US insured prices. Do most people go to Bahrain for dental care or wait until vacations and get dental care in US using Aetna plan?
*Uber vs company affiliated taxi fleet? Which is more affordable and efficient/reliable?
I have some questions I was hoping could be answered through this forum:
* does company cover the cost of Pricewaterhousecoopers tax preparation for US expats annually?
* After much confusing information, I think I understand how the hypo tax works. The FIT tax is the actual withholding for US taxes owed on my salary after deducting the $120,000 Foreign Income Exclusion for 2023, based on 24% tax bracket. The hypo tax amounts to taxes on all other income as if I lived in US. The vast majority of that income is tax protected by Aramco with the exception of annual bonus. I have no other income in US and my wife’s income in US is very small. At end of year when I file my joint US tax return, Aramco will do equalization. In new year, I will receive refund from Aramco for the portion of the hypo tax they took out of my paycheck in prior year that I didn’t actually owe IRS. They will pay those taxes through a gross up. My relocation advisor confirmed this is how it works. Anybody with first hand experience disagree?
*Annual travel allowance: Relocation advisor says I will get the full amount in my worksheet at end of December. Plus 10% for interim trip airfare. I will get 25% bump for annual trip in 2024. Sound right?
*Iqama: My relocation advisor says it could take 5-8 weeks after arrival. That sounds much longer than what I’ve read on this forum. Can someone provide some personal guidance?
*Work life balance: am I really able to detach at end of workday? Is there any kind of work done at home or on weekend?
*Dental services: Fees at JHAH seem kind of pricey versus US insured prices. Do most people go to Bahrain for dental care or wait until vacations and get dental care in US using Aetna plan?
*Uber vs company affiliated taxi fleet? Which is more affordable and efficient/reliable?
