American moving to Singapore - Tax Question

[tigerbalm1985]

Originally Posted by AmDek723

Thank you Strad and Kent.

I am researching that and got a confirmation to some of the items you mentioned.

Since you are in Singapore - Do you know of a local tax prep firm I can contact ahead of time so I will not make any mistakes through the move and initial year?

Thanks again, it is kind of you to answer.

AmDek

Actually. filling taxes in singapore is pretty easy; just go to IRAS website; dons't your company is offering you help in this?

[strad]

Originally Posted by OZpharmer

How's the healthcare system there? Is it sort of like Canada's?/Britains'?

You will probably want to obtain health insurance if your company does not provide any. Healthcare is high quality and reasonably priced (extremely reasonably priced compared to the US), but health insurance in Singapore is more geared towards protecting you from catastrophe and doesn't generally include any kind of preventative care (like pap smears for women or annual checkups or whatever), so those will typically be out of pocket expenses. I would say it doesn't compare to Canada's or Britain's at all--totally different systems :-P

Originally Posted by tigerbalm1985

Actually. filling taxes in singapore is pretty easy; just go to IRAS website; dons't your company is offering you help in this?

I think he was referring to tax help for filing US taxes from Singapore. I just used TurboTax and clicked a lot of buttons and voila! I'm fairly positive i made some mistakes (who wouldn't with such a complicated tax system), but I'm sure the majority of Americans do too :-)

[kent_moore]

Originally Posted by AmDek723

Thank you Strad and Kent.

I am researching that and got a confirmation to some of the items you mentioned.

Since you are in Singapore - Do you know of a local tax prep firm I can contact ahead of time so I will not make any mistakes through the move and initial year?

Thanks again, it is kind of you to answer.

AmDek

You shouldn't worry about tax because you wouldn't be taxed until the next filing (every April of the year). If you work in Singapore for less than 183 days, you don't need to pay income tax.

Ask if your company is under "auto-inclusion" on IRAS, meaning your company sends the your gross income to IRAS every end of fiscal year. Filing can be done online, if your company is under "auto inclusion", your gross income will already be reflected to IRAS, otherwise, you need to manually key it in. Kids, parents, non-working spouse, insurance, medical pemiums will give you some considerable tax rebates. I paid zero tax in my first 2 years as a PR as I have 2 kids, health insurance and both my parents are with us. Feel free to read this. Do I have to pay tax

Singapore taxation is not as complicated as in the US.

Now, once you leave the company, unless you are a PR, expect that the company will HOLD your last paycheck cos they want to ensure that you will pay your remaining tax.

I don't think you need a firm for that.

Maybe you can help me with the taxation in the US, it is pretty complicated that I am thinking of getting a firm

[kent_moore]

Originally Posted by OZpharmer

How's the healthcare system there? Is it sort of like Canada's?/Britains'?

For foreigners case:
Company usually provides a health card so you can visit GP for free consultation and medicines. Just go to the private clinic and don't waste your time to queuing in public clinic.

For specialist visit or emergency cases like hospitalization, you must have a private health care insurance to cover all your bills. Premiums are not so expensive though.

[gongkai200772]

Originally Posted by AmDek723

Hello there - I was offered a position in Singapore and wonder about the taxation liabilities in both Singapore and the US.

Anybody have any experience with that? Now that the tax liability in the US cover anywhere one lives must be affecting the rational of expatriating.

Appreciate any help on this matter!

AmDek

Hi,

I'm looking for the same answer. Could you let me know how the calculation work for a person making 400k SGD filing as married couple?