01-26-2010, 10:31 PM
I did an expat for 2 years, with me and family (wife, 2 kids). It was a great experience. However it depends on the deal they offer you. Some of the things I got.
1. American School Foundation (ASF) is a organization that has American schools / curriculum all over the world. Its and organizational that grabs some of the best teachers in the nation. See if your company is going to use ASF.
2. My company gave me the option of keeping my house in the USA or selling it like a relocation. We kept it. The company paid for a property management company to rent my home. and if it wasn't rented they covered the mortgage.
3. Tax equalization. America is one of the few nations that taxes you for income over 70k earned in another country. So you have to pay taxes in both countries. Also note that if the company is paying for house, giving you a car, paying for the kids schools, etc, these are all considered income in America. So your 150k looks allot higher on paper, and your responsible for the taxes. Most companies will do what they call tax equalization. They take your income, and the added extras they are paying for and define the difference between your normal tax burden in the states, and what you have to pay as a Expat. They then pay the difference. But wait! When they pay the difference, that is also considered taxable income. So they have to do it again, and again and again until they reach a zero means difference. At least this is what MCI did for me. On paper it looks like your making twice your income...
In the end it is a great experience for you and your family. You will find your self also finding other Americans and banding together to form life long friendships. If the offer is good enough it is also a very profitable deal. If your get the chance, take it. You will not regret.
1. American School Foundation (ASF) is a organization that has American schools / curriculum all over the world. Its and organizational that grabs some of the best teachers in the nation. See if your company is going to use ASF.
2. My company gave me the option of keeping my house in the USA or selling it like a relocation. We kept it. The company paid for a property management company to rent my home. and if it wasn't rented they covered the mortgage.
3. Tax equalization. America is one of the few nations that taxes you for income over 70k earned in another country. So you have to pay taxes in both countries. Also note that if the company is paying for house, giving you a car, paying for the kids schools, etc, these are all considered income in America. So your 150k looks allot higher on paper, and your responsible for the taxes. Most companies will do what they call tax equalization. They take your income, and the added extras they are paying for and define the difference between your normal tax burden in the states, and what you have to pay as a Expat. They then pay the difference. But wait! When they pay the difference, that is also considered taxable income. So they have to do it again, and again and again until they reach a zero means difference. At least this is what MCI did for me. On paper it looks like your making twice your income...
In the end it is a great experience for you and your family. You will find your self also finding other Americans and banding together to form life long friendships. If the offer is good enough it is also a very profitable deal. If your get the chance, take it. You will not regret.
Maul, the Bashing Shamie
"If you want to change the world, be that change."
--Gandhi
![[Image: maull2.gif]](http://bengtel.com/maull2.gif)
"If you want to change the world, be that change."
--Gandhi