Can A Thai Work In Singapore?

[steffi]

I've been offered a promising position in Singapore and my wife who's a Thai national would accompany me but is she allowed to work in Singapore? My work rights would no doubt be tied to my employer there.

[samran]

based on friends expereince, there are rights for your wife to work, but I beleive there are salary limits for her that she can't go over (unless she gets a work permit in her own right)...

Best to check out immigration there...or ask the company!

[Captain Chaos]

I've been offered a promising position in Singapore and my wife who's a Thai national would accompany me but is she allowed to work in Singapore? My work rights would no doubt be tied to my employer there.

She will easily be able to get a Dependants Visa here on basis of marriage and tied to the 2 year 'Employment Pass' your employer will obtain for you. This does not allow her to work though. Suggest probably best to get her into the system (and indeed the country) first and then look at working options later. Depending on income levels, there is an "S Pass" (I think that's what its called) for those who don't qualify for a full EP.

CC

[steffi]

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

I've been offered a promising position in Singapore and my wife who's a Thai national would accompany me but is she allowed to work in Singapore? My work rights would no doubt be tied to my employer there.

She will easily be able to get a Dependants Visa here on basis of marriage and tied to the 2 year 'Employment Pass' your employer will obtain for you. This does not allow her to work though. Suggest probably best to get her into the system (and indeed the country) first and then look at working options later. Depending on income levels, there is an "S Pass" (I think that's what its called) for those who don't qualify for a full EP.

CC

[Captain Chaos]

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

[

You'll certainly be expected to pay Singaporean income tax. Good news is that it's a lenient regime. Tax rates are low. Your employer can elect to do PAYE. Mine doesn't so we have to individually settle up with the taxman but more good news - you don't have to do so until April/May of the year following!

As I understand it you cannot avoid US tax whilst you still hold a US passport? However, in the UK there is a concept of 'double taxation relief' - ie. your UK tax liability would be reduced by the amount of tax paid/payable in another country (assuming a taxation treaty is in place). Don't know if the US has this concept too so recommend you seek professional advice.

CC

[steffi]

Yeah I believe they have that concept _but_ they don't have a tax treaty with Singapore.

So it sounds like it's not going to be a good move if I have both a Singaporean and a US tax obligation then.

The only way to relieve myself of that would be to surrender my US citizenship which I've actually worked quite

hard to get and this job isn't worth throwing that away not even under this president.

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

[

You'll certainly be expected to pay Singaporean income tax. Good news is that it's a lenient regime. Tax rates are low. Your employer can elect to do PAYE. Mine doesn't so we have to individually settle up with the taxman but more good news - you don't have to do so until April/May of the year following!

As I understand it you cannot avoid US tax whilst you still hold a US passport? However, in the UK there is a concept of 'double taxation relief' - ie. your UK tax liability would be reduced by the amount of tax paid/payable in another country (assuming a taxation treaty is in place). Don't know if the US has this concept too so recommend you seek professional advice.

CC

[Prakanong]

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

I've been offered a promising position in Singapore and my wife who's a Thai national would accompany me but is she allowed to work in Singapore? My work rights would no doubt be tied to my employer there.

She will easily be able to get a Dependants Visa here on basis of marriage and tied to the 2 year 'Employment Pass' your employer will obtain for you. This does not allow her to work though. Suggest probably best to get her into the system (and indeed the country) first and then look at working options later. Depending on income levels, there is an "S Pass" (I think that's what its called) for those who don't qualify for a full EP.

CC

Hi

Look at this page on the MoM website

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en...employment.html

She will get a dependant pass based on your marriage and will run alongside your EP - you can apply for up to 5 years on your EP - I go for 2

She can then stay in country as long as your EP is valid - she can travel independently etc

If she finds a job her employer can apply for a LOC - letter of consent for her - it will not be a problem as many colleagues here have dependents working

Many employers like this as the do not have to pay CPF - Singaporeans complain about this

Lots of Thai's working here from labourers and factory workers up to highly skilled engineer's etc

[Captain Chaos]

Yeah I believe they have that concept _but_ they don't have a tax treaty with Singapore.

So it sounds like it's not going to be a good move if I have both a Singaporean and a US tax obligation then.

The only way to relieve myself of that would be to surrender my US citizenship which I've actually worked quite

hard to get and this job isn't worth throwing that away not even under this president.

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

[

You'll certainly be expected to pay Singaporean income tax. Good news is that it's a lenient regime. Tax rates are low. Your employer can elect to do PAYE. Mine doesn't so we have to individually settle up with the taxman but more good news - you don't have to do so until April/May of the year following!

As I understand it you cannot avoid US tax whilst you still hold a US passport? However, in the UK there is a concept of 'double taxation relief' - ie. your UK tax liability would be reduced by the amount of tax paid/payable in another country (assuming a taxation treaty is in place). Don't know if the US has this concept too so recommend you seek professional advice.

CC

No, but you're going to have to factor that double tax into your cost of living, which may or may not hurt depending on your financial circumstances.

Actually, now you've said that I've remembered that is one reason why we do not have any US expats' in my company - they are relatively expensive as they usually want the employer to gross up their salary to cover the double tax. We just hire Brits instead ... cheaper price, similar quality ...

Edit: does the US have a tax treaty with Thailand?

Edited September 20, 2007 by Captain Chaos

[Prakanong]

Yeah I believe they have that concept _but_ they don't have a tax treaty with Singapore.

So it sounds like it's not going to be a good move if I have both a Singaporean and a US tax obligation then.

The only way to relieve myself of that would be to surrender my US citizenship which I've actually worked quite

hard to get and this job isn't worth throwing that away not even under this president.

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

[

You'll certainly be expected to pay Singaporean income tax. Good news is that it's a lenient regime. Tax rates are low. Your employer can elect to do PAYE. Mine doesn't so we have to individually settle up with the taxman but more good news - you don't have to do so until April/May of the year following!

As I understand it you cannot avoid US tax whilst you still hold a US passport? However, in the UK there is a concept of 'double taxation relief' - ie. your UK tax liability would be reduced by the amount of tax paid/payable in another country (assuming a taxation treaty is in place). Don't know if the US has this concept too so recommend you seek professional advice.

CC

Look into that tax detail a lot more closely - there are plenty of Americans working here and one of the reasons is the low tax.

I know Dr's, IB's et etc here - they would not be here if hit hard in the pocket - you really need to look at this more. There are no Americians in my division but some inanother divisio - if i bump into them I will ask

But PLEASE look further into it and do not refuse a decent role without knowing ll the facts.

I am embarrassed to ay what my tax bill is going to be next year for 15 months its so low. I have posted before about the difference here than Thailand!

[Captain Chaos]

I am embarrassed to ay what my tax bill is going to be next year for 15 months its so low. I have posted before about the difference here than Thailand!

Generally agree, although the Thai authorities still don't look quite as closely for undeclared offshore income as the Singaporeans do, which might even your 'effective' tax rate out a bit. At least, this has been my personal experience - so no guarantees!

[Prakanong]

I am embarrassed to ay what my tax bill is going to be next year for 15 months its so low. I have posted before about the difference here than Thailand!

Generally agree, although the Thai authorities still don't look quite as closely for undeclared offshore income as the Singaporeans do, which might even your 'effective' tax rate out a bit. At least, this has been my personal experience - so no guarantees!

I thought as long as its not brought into Singapore they are not bothered about it????

Is that earned or unearned income?

I know I slept through it when Ernst and Young filled out my form for me but.......

[steffi]

You have the foreign earned income exclusion which allows you to deduct 82k from your US tax obligation. Atlhough since 2006 the law changed such that all dollars after that amount are effectively taxed at the same tax bracket as you would be in the US rather than being your first $ in the lowest tax bracket.

Also, in my case it's tricky because the offer isn't spectacular but has great career potential but if I took it my wife would lose her greencard which is not something we're keen on ... so there appear to be a lot of disadvantages overall.

Is there anybody here that has any opinion on the investment banking scene in Singapore vs the US right now? Apparently Singapore is becoming an Asian hub for a lot of banks and there's a lot of growth expected in the Asian region where as the US right now is practically in hiring freeze and on the cusp of a recession.

Secondly is the tax situation any better in say Japan? Is there a tax treaty with Japan.

I'm pretty sure there isn't one with Hong Kong.

Yeah I believe they have that concept _but_ they don't have a tax treaty with Singapore.

So it sounds like it's not going to be a good move if I have both a Singaporean and a US tax obligation then.

The only way to relieve myself of that would be to surrender my US citizenship which I've actually worked quite

hard to get and this job isn't worth throwing that away not even under this president.

Thanks... I'm told that she can be a dependant based on my employment visa and that allows her to spend more time looking in the country compared to an Asian tourist but she'd need to find an employer to sponsor her.

Does anybody know how tax works for a US citizen? Am I expected to pay tax on my singapore earned money? I suspect I am and so any tax benefit due to being in Singapore and it being such a low tax rate is outweighed by my tax obligation in the US?

[

You'll certainly be expected to pay Singaporean income tax. Good news is that it's a lenient regime. Tax rates are low. Your employer can elect to do PAYE. Mine doesn't so we have to individually settle up with the taxman but more good news - you don't have to do so until April/May of the year following!

As I understand it you cannot avoid US tax whilst you still hold a US passport? However, in the UK there is a concept of 'double taxation relief' - ie. your UK tax liability would be reduced by the amount of tax paid/payable in another country (assuming a taxation treaty is in place). Don't know if the US has this concept too so recommend you seek professional advice.

CC

No, but you're going to have to factor that double tax into your cost of living, which may or may not hurt depending on your financial circumstances.

Actually, now you've said that I've remembered that is one reason why we do not have any US expats' in my company - they are relatively expensive as they usually want the employer to gross up their salary to cover the double tax. We just hire Brits instead ... cheaper price, similar quality ...

Edit: does the US have a tax treaty with Thailand?