BKKSnowBird

I have medicare in the US so if I found out something major I would go back.

That obviously will not cover a heart attack or accident were A big bill would need to be paid. I do have a credit card but only a $5000 limit.

Is there a type of long term travel insurance?

There's another test for filing a 1040 not mentioned above: income from self-employment:

"You have to file an income tax return if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more."

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Self-Employed-Individuals-Tax-Center

This filing requirement exists because you have to pay Social Security tax on earnings from self-employment outside the U.S. (though not on wages earned as an employee outside the U.S., provided your employer isn't a "U.S. person" as defined for this purpose).

It's pretty easy to reach that amount by doing, say, some private tutoring. It's also possible to be working for a school as an independent contractor, not as an employee, depending on contract conditions, in which case you'd also be considered self-employed. Sometimes the distinction between a self-employed independent contractor and an employee can be difficult.

That is a good point. I was always an employee but I bet many don't report there side jobs as self employment.

I also earned about 10k teaching one year. Many said no need to file. I filed and used 2555ez to be on the safe side. If you don't file, you will never run the 3 years of a possible audit.

Luckily, the last place I lived was Nevada. No state taxes. I still have a PO box there that a friend looks after, but I rarely get any mail. Everything is sent here or done electronically.

I did run into problems setting up a Schwab account. What a mess. The US is just not oriented to working with people who are overseas. Even though there are millions of us!

What kind of problems? I have found Schwab great! My ATM card got cut off once but a quick call and it was fixed. They also seem to have no problem with me using a mail forwarding service.

Good question. I have medicare that I can not use in Thailand but satisfies the Obamacare thing. I wish I could keep my part C but residency is required.

Songkran is not just a few days here in Pattaya in last from the 11 through the 21st of April! Any body that thinks 10 days is a few days may need to seek out the help from a board certified psychiatrist!

My biggest problem is the throwing of water at motor scooter riders; it is dangerous enough just trying to keep from being mowed down by cars but add water being shot at your head to the point of being blinded creates the elements of a vehicle accident waiting to happen!

Sure the law says if they cause an accident they can be charged, but as most of us on this site know, no one is ever charged with anything. Hell look at the young American girl last week that was imitating Van Drivers in Thailand. She hit 13 cars and fled the scene of an accident and what happened NOTHING!

As for the poster who brought up Christmas it celebrated only once on December 25. And it hardly last a day with American business so tight for money many are opening on Christmas day denying poor employees the day off!

To my knowledge the Thai’s have celebrated the New Years on December 31 and the first of January the celebrated the Chinese new year a month later and now yet another celebration of what? The New Year, “you say” that was 3 months ago!!

Lol. Did you not know about Songkran before you moved here? I love how you say the new year was 3 months ago. Yea, I guess the Thais should not celebrate now that old whitey is here. Besides it stops at night. Find something to do inside during the day. Problem solved.

Songkran was here before us and it will be after we are gone.

If its not fun for you maybe you are just too old. A few days in the house will not kill you if you chose not to have fun.

That cop was in great shape and 20 years younger but could not catch and tackle this guy?

They are going to make an example out of him and the victims family is going to have a HUGE payday.

The cops life is over. Atleast the city agreed to keep paying health insurance for his 8 month pregnant wife.

The cop will pay the price for overreacting. A shame the taser didn't stop the fleeing criminal.

You call that "overreacting"? I call that murder.

They are going to make an example of this guy and the victum's family is going to have a HUGE payday.

That cops life is over. At least the city said they will pay for his 8 month pregnant wife to keep her medical insurance until the baby is born.

I hope something good comes from this unfortunate persons wrongful death and body cameras start to become standard.

The police chief announced they would all be getting body cams because of this.

Yeap. They are trying hard to prevent another Fergusun.

There is no problem giving Social Security your Thai address. Perfectly legal to collect it in Thailand.

Your fridge is learning forward.

That is possible... but why only LEO beer?

Leo is heavier! Lol

Some people really shouldn't have kids.

It is not boring like the US is.

I just dont get why there is a hardcore group of Americans on this board, apparently living in the US for the vast majority of the year, whose sole purpose seems to be to tell us how much better off they are in the US ? Not a single mention of tornadoes, floods or blizzards - its just all bliss out there on the endless prairie. Fine - enjoy it - but why are you even members of this board ? Is there a 'Born in the USA' board somewhere where you can share this love for your homeland ?

Hot summers followed by 'cold and snowy' Winters just aren't my idea of a good time - with the exception of the snow, that sounds a lot like Melbourne and you can keep that. If I had the money, Maui would probably be my choice but from memory Hawaii is a very expensive place to live. There's also the occasional hurricane to contend with

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Salt_Lake_City

I lived in Thailand for a few years and been back to the US for about a year now and can't wait to get back to Thailand!!!

The US is great for many things especially if you are old and need Medicare but dang it is BORING AS HELL!!!!

I have lived in many parts of the US and Thailand is great especially if single! Yes, I have yellow fever!

That is why I said before the guys who seem happy back in the US are married and thats great but no better place than Thailand if single!

Seems most guys that are happy returning the US are now married. Thailand is a much better choice than the US if single IMO.

I read an article that many people have started including schedule B since they have an account outside the US. The GAO has told the IRS to start looking at these.

If you don't owe any tax and not required to FBAR, is there a penalty for not including a schedule B hence not disclosing the account?

Seems to me that most Thai banks will find it easyer to just turn over ALL American account holders and let the IRS do with it what they want. Luckly my account was recently closed after they took out a maintance fee for a few months.

Anyone think the IRS will ask me about this account in the next 3 years? I did not amend past returns since it would not have changed any tax obligation.

Did he spend all his money at the go go?

I am suprised Manila is not responding. You can also try calling international operations in Baltimore. Likely much cheaper calling the US than PI. You can leave a msg and they will call you back within 48 hours.

Am I invited? Full bar right?

Can you not just get a VOA? Seems like a pain to make two trips to the embassy.

He acts so brave in the video but bet he would start crying if they put him in a cell for a few hours to sober up.

Based on the pants and shoes he is wearing, I am guessing an English teacher who went drinking after work.

There is a pdf you can download from the SSA site called something like "Receiving benefits outside the US - what you neec to know". It explains the foreign work test.

The 18k rule is only if working in the US. That does not apply to you. It is all or nothing and tied to 45 hours. When you hit FRA you can earn all you want.