Job Discussion Forums

[goodEnglishes]

Raytheon pays around $150,000 a year on paper + free housing + free food + 401k + some health + some PTO. Taxes are taken out of that chunk, and it ultimately depends on how much time you spend in Afghanistan.

[DynoButch1]

Bit north of that, actually, if you stay "boots on the ground" for an entire year, ie, you don't take any leave, which is pure lunacy. As you say, all depends on how long you spend in country.

You can elect to have taxes taken out or, if you qualify, declare yourself exempt and then exclude up to the maximum under FEIE ($104,100 for 2018) at tax time next year, assuming you've met the 330-day physical presence test (as I've heard, IRS is no longer accepting bona fide residency claims for people working in Afghanistan). You'll end up paying taxes on the roughly $60k above that amount.

[veiledsentiments]

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

It was mentioned that the IRS accepts the physical presence test. Because it is a US company, there would be SS/Medicare taken, but if you follow the exemption rules, you shouldn't have to pay income taxes.

VS

[madrileno]

PAE is currently advertising positions in Afghanistan.

Does anyone have info about this company? Is the salary comparable to positions with Raytheon?

[Randall]

Mixed reviews

(Mod edit for job advert)

[DynoButch1]

I would assume this advert is in the hope of receiving the new contract. Raytheon is the incumbent. However, as I understand, the new contract has not been awarded yet (and there is no telling when that will happen). Whichever company is awarded the new contract, they are almost certain to lower the starting salary.