My interest

Also, another potential issue I have is if I somehow fall into the IRS
"residency" test based on the X number of days I spent in US in the
previous years, I will be liable to US tax on my worldwide income even
though practially I may just work in US on part-time basis. (...
today's globalization has created many cases where one may be required
to work on "global" basis :->)


Bob wrote:
> > No other replies that I could see, either! I don't know who he was
> > responding to. You weren't hostile at all.
> >
> > But he's not a USC or a PR, and if he comes to the USA on an H1B, he
> > still won't necessary be one, right? So he only has to pay tax on his
> > US earned income, I guess.
> >
> > Rene
>
> depends...if you've been an H1B for x amount of years, then you still
> have to pay to uncle Sam for a while...
>
> --

macjoubert

Try getting citizenship in Switzerland!

The Swiss have one of the toughest citizenship requirements, even Swiss
birth doesnt guarantee citizenship.
One needs to be tuned to the culture of Switzerland and also fluent in
at least 2 of the languages.
Didnt you know about that during your time there?

In anycase you are mixing 2 things, working and path to citizenship,
getting a work visa might be harder in the US but the eventual path to
citizenship is clearer when compared to say getting citizenship in
Denmark or working there (which is easier, documentation-wise).


On Jan 17, 2:13 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Some restrictions I was talking about are:
>
> - If one is offered a US job, he may be still unable to work in US.
> (H1B annual quota usually runs out within 2-3 months after Apri!). This
> is actually very bad for both the US company who needs talent and the
> people who want to work in US legally. (This actually happened to me.
> I was offered a Wall Street job August 2005, but H1B quota ran out!
> Fortunately, in my particular case, I was qualified for E-2 visas
> otherwise I would be unable to take on this role.)
>
> - Following the above case, essentially if I want to change a job, I
> need at least 6months+ lead-time to prepare. i.e. secure a new offer
> before April so the employer can file the petition in time and start
> working in the coming October! ... H1B transfer makes it easier, but
> there is a 6-year limit
>
> These essentially make people whom is needed by US companies and who
> wants to legally work & live in US uncessarily more difficult ( .. and
> arguably these rules won't help stop illegal immigrants)
>
> - Another example is related to my friend. She (non USC) married a USC
> while in Europe. The couple recently moved to US. My friend was very
> pissed off because she found she could not work unless she applied for
> a GC. (The couple hasn't decided where to live permantly, thus she
> really does not want to take the hassle of applying the GC. They also
> worry about the consequence if she gets a GC and then give it up
> because the couple move out of US. What will happen if they decide to
> move back again in the future?)
>
> I understand most poeple will go through the GC process so he/she can
> change job freely and live here as long as he/she wishes. But not
> everybody really want GC. For me, what I really want is if I can find a
> good US job and there are not enough local qualified people, I can get
> a working visa. By acquiring a GC, I will be liable to US tax if I
> move to somewhere else in the future. (Well, I can give up GC, but
> then I will be in the same, if not worse, situation next time I want to
> come to US)
>
> By other places, I meant other countries. I had been working in UK,
> Switzerland, Japan etc. In all these countries, one can always get a
> working visa if he/she is offered a decent job. (And as the spouse of
> a citizen, one is automatically eligible for working there). All of
> these countries have well regulated job markets (like US), but from an
> individual perspective, it seems to me more friendly.
>
> Therefore I am trying to ask what's the best opion I have if I just
> want to (1) being able to (always) get a working visa if I am offered a
> job, and (2) a clean-cut where I will not liable to US tax if I move to
> somewhere else later. (see my original post)
>
>
>
> Noorah101 wrote:
> > > I am not a US citizen/GC holder. What's the best option if I want:
>
> > > (1) if I am able to find a job in US, I can work and live here without
> > > much restrictions, AND
> > > (2) if I am later move to other place to work, I don't need to pay US
> > > tax (and can still come back if I find another US job)
>
> > > This seems to be not a problem in many other develoepd countries, but
> > > in US it seems to be a problem:
>
> > > As H1B has annual quote and 6-year limit, (1) may not be satisfied.
> > > While a US citizen/GC holder, though (1) is OK, but (2) may not bee
> > > met
> > > due to global tax.
>
> > > Thanks.
>
> > What kind of restrictions are you talking about? You mean restrictions
> > as to the type of work you are allowed to do? Travel restrictions?
> > Length of time in USA restrictions? You need to be more specific in
> > your question.
>
> > What kind of other place? You mean another country? You only need to
> > pay US tax as long as you are working in the USA. If you move to Dubai
> > to work there for a while, you won't pay US taxes (unless you worked a
> > partial year here, in which case you will need to, then). If you work
> > in Dubai for the next 5 years and get another job in the USA after that,
> > then you'll come work in the USA again and pay US taxes.
>
> > Rene
>
> > --
> > Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

My interest

No, I am not trying to get another citizenship. I just want to seek
the best option which allows me to (always) get a working visa if I was
offered a decent US job and have a clean-exit when I left (i.e. no
further US tax liability and don't have any negative impact if I come
back to US again in the future - say get another job) Please refer to
my original post.

wrote:
> Try getting citizenship in Switzerland!
>
> The Swiss have one of the toughest citizenship requirements, even Swiss
> birth doesnt guarantee citizenship.
> One needs to be tuned to the culture of Switzerland and also fluent in
> at least 2 of the languages.
> Didnt you know about that during your time there?
>
> In anycase you are mixing 2 things, working and path to citizenship,
> getting a work visa might be harder in the US but the eventual path to
> citizenship is clearer when compared to say getting citizenship in
> Denmark or working there (which is easier, documentation-wise).
>
>
> On Jan 17, 2:13 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Some restrictions I was talking about are:
> >
> > - If one is offered a US job, he may be still unable to work in US.
> > (H1B annual quota usually runs out within 2-3 months after Apri!). This
> > is actually very bad for both the US company who needs talent and the
> > people who want to work in US legally. (This actually happened to me.
> > I was offered a Wall Street job August 2005, but H1B quota ran out!
> > Fortunately, in my particular case, I was qualified for E-2 visas
> > otherwise I would be unable to take on this role.)
> >
> > - Following the above case, essentially if I want to change a job, I
> > need at least 6months+ lead-time to prepare. i.e. secure a new offer
> > before April so the employer can file the petition in time and start
> > working in the coming October! ... H1B transfer makes it easier, but
> > there is a 6-year limit
> >
> > These essentially make people whom is needed by US companies and who
> > wants to legally work & live in US uncessarily more difficult ( .. and
> > arguably these rules won't help stop illegal immigrants)
> >
> > - Another example is related to my friend. She (non USC) married a USC
> > while in Europe. The couple recently moved to US. My friend was very
> > pissed off because she found she could not work unless she applied for
> > a GC. (The couple hasn't decided where to live permantly, thus she
> > really does not want to take the hassle of applying the GC. They also
> > worry about the consequence if she gets a GC and then give it up
> > because the couple move out of US. What will happen if they decide to
> > move back again in the future?)
> >
> > I understand most poeple will go through the GC process so he/she can
> > change job freely and live here as long as he/she wishes. But not
> > everybody really want GC. For me, what I really want is if I can find a
> > good US job and there are not enough local qualified people, I can get
> > a working visa. By acquiring a GC, I will be liable to US tax if I
> > move to somewhere else in the future. (Well, I can give up GC, but
> > then I will be in the same, if not worse, situation next time I want to
> > come to US)
> >
> > By other places, I meant other countries. I had been working in UK,
> > Switzerland, Japan etc. In all these countries, one can always get a
> > working visa if he/she is offered a decent job. (And as the spouse of
> > a citizen, one is automatically eligible for working there). All of
> > these countries have well regulated job markets (like US), but from an
> > individual perspective, it seems to me more friendly.
> >
> > Therefore I am trying to ask what's the best opion I have if I just
> > want to (1) being able to (always) get a working visa if I am offered a
> > job, and (2) a clean-cut where I will not liable to US tax if I move to
> > somewhere else later. (see my original post)
> >
> >
> >
> > Noorah101 wrote:
> > > > I am not a US citizen/GC holder. What's the best option if I want:
> >
> > > > (1) if I am able to find a job in US, I can work and live here without
> > > > much restrictions, AND
> > > > (2) if I am later move to other place to work, I don't need to pay US
> > > > tax (and can still come back if I find another US job)
> >
> > > > This seems to be not a problem in many other develoepd countries, but
> > > > in US it seems to be a problem:
> >
> > > > As H1B has annual quote and 6-year limit, (1) may not be satisfied.
> > > > While a US citizen/GC holder, though (1) is OK, but (2) may not bee
> > > > met
> > > > due to global tax.
> >
> > > > Thanks.
> >
> > > What kind of restrictions are you talking about? You mean restrictions
> > > as to the type of work you are allowed to do? Travel restrictions?
> > > Length of time in USA restrictions? You need to be more specific in
> > > your question.
> >
> > > What kind of other place? You mean another country? You only need to
> > > pay US tax as long as you are working in the USA. If you move to Dubai
> > > to work there for a while, you won't pay US taxes (unless you worked a
> > > partial year here, in which case you will need to, then). If you work
> > > in Dubai for the next 5 years and get another job in the USA after that,
> > > then you'll come work in the USA again and pay US taxes.
> >
> > > Rene
> >
> > > --
> > > Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

Macjoubert

In that case your bet is to get a job in any of the tax free states (
Texas, Florida and a few more).
You will be able to save at least 3.5% in taxes.

The US unlike socialistic economies like Sweden , Germany doesnt tax
that much ~33% compared to 45 - 50 % in many European countries.
Another option if your stint in the US is to be temporary is to use a
practical training card for employment (not H1B visa) which further
limits your tax burden to ~ 19%. Again you are entitled to Social
Security and medicare even as a foreign national working in the US.
There shouldnt be any negative impact in either case, but tax will be
collected at source no matter how you look at it.

There is no "clean" exit, when you work you pay tax, if tax free income
is your aim then the Middle East is your El Dorado, Dubai, Abu Dhabi ,
Bahrain etc all have no tax.

On Jan 17, 3:12 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> No, I am not trying to get another citizenship. I just want to seek
> the best option which allows me to (always) get a working visa if I was
> offered a decent US job and have a clean-exit when I left (i.e. no
> further US tax liability and don't have any negative impact if I come
> back to US again in the future - say get another job) Please refer to
> my original post.
>
>
>
> macjoub...@gmail.com wrote:
> > Try getting citizenship in Switzerland!
>
> > The Swiss have one of the toughest citizenship requirements, even Swiss
> > birth doesnt guarantee citizenship.
> > One needs to be tuned to the culture of Switzerland and also fluent in
> > at least 2 of the languages.
> > Didnt you know about that during your time there?
>
> > In anycase you are mixing 2 things, working and path to citizenship,
> > getting a work visa might be harder in the US but the eventual path to
> > citizenship is clearer when compared to say getting citizenship in
> > Denmark or working there (which is easier, documentation-wise).
>
> > On Jan 17, 2:13 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Some restrictions I was talking about are:
>
> > > - If one is offered a US job, he may be still unable to work in US.
> > > (H1B annual quota usually runs out within 2-3 months after Apri!). This
> > > is actually very bad for both the US company who needs talent and the
> > > people who want to work in US legally. (This actually happened to me.
> > > I was offered a Wall Street job August 2005, but H1B quota ran out!
> > > Fortunately, in my particular case, I was qualified for E-2 visas
> > > otherwise I would be unable to take on this role.)
>
> > > - Following the above case, essentially if I want to change a job, I
> > > need at least 6months+ lead-time to prepare. i.e. secure a new offer
> > > before April so the employer can file the petition in time and start
> > > working in the coming October! ... H1B transfer makes it easier, but
> > > there is a 6-year limit
>
> > > These essentially make people whom is needed by US companies and who
> > > wants to legally work & live in US uncessarily more difficult ( .. and
> > > arguably these rules won't help stop illegal immigrants)
>
> > > - Another example is related to my friend. She (non USC) married a USC
> > > while in Europe. The couple recently moved to US. My friend was very
> > > pissed off because she found she could not work unless she applied for
> > > a GC. (The couple hasn't decided where to live permantly, thus she
> > > really does not want to take the hassle of applying the GC. They also
> > > worry about the consequence if she gets a GC and then give it up
> > > because the couple move out of US. What will happen if they decide to
> > > move back again in the future?)
>
> > > I understand most poeple will go through the GC process so he/she can
> > > change job freely and live here as long as he/she wishes. But not
> > > everybody really want GC. For me, what I really want is if I can find a
> > > good US job and there are not enough local qualified people, I can get
> > > a working visa. By acquiring a GC, I will be liable to US tax if I
> > > move to somewhere else in the future. (Well, I can give up GC, but
> > > then I will be in the same, if not worse, situation next time I want to
> > > come to US)
>
> > > By other places, I meant other countries. I had been working in UK,
> > > Switzerland, Japan etc. In all these countries, one can always get a
> > > working visa if he/she is offered a decent job. (And as the spouse of
> > > a citizen, one is automatically eligible for working there). All of
> > > these countries have well regulated job markets (like US), but from an
> > > individual perspective, it seems to me more friendly.
>
> > > Therefore I am trying to ask what's the best opion I have if I just
> > > want to (1) being able to (always) get a working visa if I am offered a
> > > job, and (2) a clean-cut where I will not liable to US tax if I move to
> > > somewhere else later. (see my original post)
>
> > > Noorah101 wrote:
> > > > > I am not a US citizen/GC holder. What's the best option if I want:
>
> > > > > (1) if I am able to find a job in US, I can work and live here without
> > > > > much restrictions, AND
> > > > > (2) if I am later move to other place to work, I don't need to pay US
> > > > > tax (and can still come back if I find another US job)
>
> > > > > This seems to be not a problem in many other develoepd countries, but
> > > > > in US it seems to be a problem:
>
> > > > > As H1B has annual quote and 6-year limit, (1) may not be satisfied.
> > > > > While a US citizen/GC holder, though (1) is OK, but (2) may not bee
> > > > > met
> > > > > due to global tax.
>
> > > > > Thanks.
>
> > > > What kind of restrictions are you talking about? You mean restrictions
> > > > as to the type of work you are allowed to do? Travel restrictions?
> > > > Length of time in USA restrictions? You need to be more specific in
> > > > your question.
>
> > > > What kind of other place? You mean another country? You only need to
> > > > pay US tax as long as you are working in the USA. If you move to Dubai
> > > > to work there for a while, you won't pay US taxes (unless you worked a
> > > > partial year here, in which case you will need to, then). If you work
> > > > in Dubai for the next 5 years and get another job in the USA after that,
> > > > then you'll come work in the USA again and pay US taxes.
>
> > > > Rene
>
> > > > --
> > > > Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com-Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

My interest

You may have misread my intention. I am not trying to avoid paying
tax. It's fair that I pay US tax when I am working in US. What I want
to avoid is to still have to pay Uncle Sam after left US (assuming I
have a GC). However the issue is, without a GC, I may be unable to get
a visa (i.e. H1B) even if I was offered a US job (due to H1B cap) and
there is a 6-year limit on your total stay. ... or put the other way,
my issue will be solved if there is no annual cap on H1B and there is
no 6-year limit of stay.

So, essentially, my question is given these two restrictions (annual
cap and length of stay), what's the best option if sb wants to
reasonably ensure he can always get a US working visa if he is offered
a US job at any time, without being a GC holder or USC?

What do you man by "practical training card for employment"? Do you
mean something like J1 etc? What's the visa category?


Macjoubert wrote:
> In that case your bet is to get a job in any of the tax free states (
> Texas, Florida and a few more).
> You will be able to save at least 3.5% in taxes.
>
> The US unlike socialistic economies like Sweden , Germany doesnt tax
> that much ~33% compared to 45 - 50 % in many European countries.
> Another option if your stint in the US is to be temporary is to use a
> practical training card for employment (not H1B visa) which further
> limits your tax burden to ~ 19%. Again you are entitled to Social
> Security and medicare even as a foreign national working in the US.
> There shouldnt be any negative impact in either case, but tax will be
> collected at source no matter how you look at it.
>
> There is no "clean" exit, when you work you pay tax, if tax free income
> is your aim then the Middle East is your El Dorado, Dubai, Abu Dhabi ,
> Bahrain etc all have no tax.
>
> On Jan 17, 3:12 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > No, I am not trying to get another citizenship. I just want to seek
> > the best option which allows me to (always) get a working visa if I was
> > offered a decent US job and have a clean-exit when I left (i.e. no
> > further US tax liability and don't have any negative impact if I come
> > back to US again in the future - say get another job) Please refer to
> > my original post.
> >
> >
> >
> > macjoub...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > Try getting citizenship in Switzerland!
> >
> > > The Swiss have one of the toughest citizenship requirements, even Swiss
> > > birth doesnt guarantee citizenship.
> > > One needs to be tuned to the culture of Switzerland and also fluent in
> > > at least 2 of the languages.
> > > Didnt you know about that during your time there?
> >
> > > In anycase you are mixing 2 things, working and path to citizenship,
> > > getting a work visa might be harder in the US but the eventual path to
> > > citizenship is clearer when compared to say getting citizenship in
> > > Denmark or working there (which is easier, documentation-wise).
> >
> > > On Jan 17, 2:13 pm, "My interest" <myinter...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > > Some restrictions I was talking about are:
> >
> > > > - If one is offered a US job, he may be still unable to work in US.
> > > > (H1B annual quota usually runs out within 2-3 months after Apri!). This
> > > > is actually very bad for both the US company who needs talent and the
> > > > people who want to work in US legally. (This actually happened to me.
> > > > I was offered a Wall Street job August 2005, but H1B quota ran out!
> > > > Fortunately, in my particular case, I was qualified for E-2 visas
> > > > otherwise I would be unable to take on this role.)
> >
> > > > - Following the above case, essentially if I want to change a job, I
> > > > need at least 6months+ lead-time to prepare. i.e. secure a new offer
> > > > before April so the employer can file the petition in time and start
> > > > working in the coming October! ... H1B transfer makes it easier, but
> > > > there is a 6-year limit
> >
> > > > These essentially make people whom is needed by US companies and who
> > > > wants to legally work & live in US uncessarily more difficult ( .. and
> > > > arguably these rules won't help stop illegal immigrants)
> >
> > > > - Another example is related to my friend. She (non USC) married a USC
> > > > while in Europe. The couple recently moved to US. My friend was very
> > > > pissed off because she found she could not work unless she applied for
> > > > a GC. (The couple hasn't decided where to live permantly, thus she
> > > > really does not want to take the hassle of applying the GC. They also
> > > > worry about the consequence if she gets a GC and then give it up
> > > > because the couple move out of US. What will happen if they decide to
> > > > move back again in the future?)
> >
> > > > I understand most poeple will go through the GC process so he/she can
> > > > change job freely and live here as long as he/she wishes. But not
> > > > everybody really want GC. For me, what I really want is if I can find a
> > > > good US job and there are not enough local qualified people, I can get
> > > > a working visa. By acquiring a GC, I will be liable to US tax if I
> > > > move to somewhere else in the future. (Well, I can give up GC, but
> > > > then I will be in the same, if not worse, situation next time I want to
> > > > come to US)
> >
> > > > By other places, I meant other countries. I had been working in UK,
> > > > Switzerland, Japan etc. In all these countries, one can always get a
> > > > working visa if he/she is offered a decent job. (And as the spouse of
> > > > a citizen, one is automatically eligible for working there). All of
> > > > these countries have well regulated job markets (like US), but from an
> > > > individual perspective, it seems to me more friendly.
> >
> > > > Therefore I am trying to ask what's the best opion I have if I just
> > > > want to (1) being able to (always) get a working visa if I am offered a
> > > > job, and (2) a clean-cut where I will not liable to US tax if I move to
> > > > somewhere else later. (see my original post)
> >
> > > > Noorah101 wrote:
> > > > > > I am not a US citizen/GC holder. What's the best option if I want:
> >
> > > > > > (1) if I am able to find a job in US, I can work and live here without
> > > > > > much restrictions, AND
> > > > > > (2) if I am later move to other place to work, I don't need to pay US
> > > > > > tax (and can still come back if I find another US job)
> >
> > > > > > This seems to be not a problem in many other develoepd countries, but
> > > > > > in US it seems to be a problem:
> >
> > > > > > As H1B has annual quote and 6-year limit, (1) may not be satisfied.
> > > > > > While a US citizen/GC holder, though (1) is OK, but (2) may not bee
> > > > > > met
> > > > > > due to global tax.
> >
> > > > > > Thanks.
> >
> > > > > What kind of restrictions are you talking about? You mean restrictions
> > > > > as to the type of work you are allowed to do? Travel restrictions?
> > > > > Length of time in USA restrictions? You need to be more specific in
> > > > > your question.
> >
> > > > > What kind of other place? You mean another country? You only need to
> > > > > pay US tax as long as you are working in the USA. If you move to Dubai
> > > > > to work there for a while, you won't pay US taxes (unless you worked a
> > > > > partial year here, in which case you will need to, then). If you work
> > > > > in Dubai for the next 5 years and get another job in the USA after that,
> > > > > then you'll come work in the USA again and pay US taxes.
> >
> > > > > Rene
> >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com-Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

Joe Feise

Noorah101 wrote on 01/17/07 09:34:

>> Are there some replys I am not seeing here?.
>>
>> USC's, and PR's are taxable on their world wide income. So if you
>> worked in Dubai and did not pay any tax you would pay to Uncle Sam.
>
> No other replies that I could see, either! I don't know who he was
> responding to. You weren't hostile at all.
>
> But he's not a USC or a PR, and if he comes to the USA on an H1B, he
> still won't necessary be one, right? So he only has to pay tax on his
> US earned income, I guess.


Nope. If he is in the US more than 1/2 year in a given year, he is a US tax
resident, and US tax residents have to declare their worldwide income.
See IRS Publication 519.
And the IRS has more teeth than CIS...

-Joe

J. J. Farrell

My interest wrote:
> Come on guys, don't be so hostile. I am not saying I don't want to
> follow the rules or whatsoever - I am a law binding person. I was just
> trying to ask for advice on what's the best option an individual, again
> who want to follow the rules, can have in a particular country. It's a
> free and civilized world, any person has a right to seek the best
> option for himself, either in or out of a particular country. If you
> don't have advice to offer, it's fine (maybe it is the way the
> law-maker intended to do here), but don't show such strong negative
> attitude to a person who asks for advice!

In the message I replied to, you didn't ask for advice. You made
statements and posed rhetorical questions, mostly of a critical nature,
and asked for comments. I commented as requested.