Working Abroad & Tax ??

[Bainie]

I have been offered a job abroad, on a rig, 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off. The salary is much in a muchness with what I am on, but is paid in $ , anyone know if it would be tax free if working abroad and being paid abroad ?? It would be tempting if it was tax free .....Equatorial Gunea by the way ..

[G.O'Rilla]

There's a whole load of tax rules; depends whether it is classed as being a seaman, which brings tax benefits. Otherwise it is (off the top of my head) 91 days per year in UK including travel days averaged over a four year period with a max of 186 days in Uk in any one year of that period. You also have to spend a minimum of one complete tax year (april to april) in non resident status. Best to get a decent tax accountant who specialises in the offshore business to keep your tax exposure to a minimum. Worth it in the long run.

Others may have more up to date information

[Gsi3.2]

T.. i take it you know the rep of equatorial gunea??... oil workers are regular targets there for hostage takers and pirate gangs...so much so that it has been reported that the oil companies will no longer allow dependents of the workers to live there.. they cannot keep them safe anymore..

We work in $USD as well, and with the current rates it can get to a point where you are actually worse off as you will have to pay to get the money converted at a rate that is entirely different to the 'holiday' rates you see advertised..Unless they agree a floating variable conversion rate with you to ensure a regular £sterling value to your wages i'd strongly advise you to give it a miss as you could end up varying up to £150 a month above or BELOW you current UK salary.

[Bainie]

Yeah it has a bad rep, not staying there, just onto the rig and off again, didn`t know it was there when I aplied for it, but thought if it was tax free it was worth a punt maybe, but never thought of paying to exchange, the salary is the same at the moment and I can only think the dollar will strenghthen again which warmed me to it, but think it will probably get a bum steer, 6&6 is a fair time away as well !

[The Doc]

You won't get that tax free Tommy as you are in the UK for 6 months of the year.

91 days as said earlier...

[Bainie]

Thats the decision made then , cheers guys, it was a longshot *lol*