Job Discussion Forums

feathers · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 35

My husband and I are currently talking to a recruiter about 2 jobs working at universities in Fuzhou. Please let me know what you think about the information I have so far:

Salaries: 1 job is 10,000 CNY. 2nd job is 11,000 CNY. So, we would earn a total of 21,000

Housing: a stipend of 3,600 for both will be given. They don't provide housing but will assist us. No problem for us living together as a married couple.

Flight: They'll give a stipend of about $8000 and will reimburse us after about 6 months. We can fly at the same time.

Hours: 18 hours per week, each of us. Classes are about 1 1/2 hours long.

Jobs: Start about mid September.

Holiday: There will be a winter holiday of 5-6 weeks. We've been told that we'll have a month paid holiday

He told us to talk it over and if we are interested we can talk more next week. I'll be able to ask more details and I'll have a list of more questions, of course, but so far I am wondering what the taxes will be and also what the cost of living in this area is like. I've been researching this and so far, have been using this link to figure this out.

http://www.shanghaitechwriter.com/2008/09/22/personal-income-tax-in-china-for-foreigners/

Seems like taxes aren't too bad - what can I expect for our taxes (any good questions to ask?)

Basically, I would like your initial impression of these jobs as well as your imput on the cost of living in Fuzhou, taxes, and if my husband and I would be able to save much by the end of the year (we don't eat out, party, or drink very much). BTW, we are both very experienced and educated EFL teachers, but still, if the salary is basically reasonable, we'd be interested as it comes at a really good time for us and the recruiter works with a good institution out here in Australia.

Thanks for your feedback

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

It seems like a lot of hours for the money though I am not familiar with the cost of living there. I am assuming the flight is 8000RMB and not dollars.

Hard to tell you much beyond that. What classes are you guys expected to teach? Oral English? Content classes? What level and age are your students? One location or multiple locations involving travel? Split shifts? Consecutive days off? Will you work during the summer? Is it paid if you do not work?

EDIT: I read it as 18 classes, each 1.5 hours long. My mistake. The salary is quite good for oral English classes if indeed that is what you'll be teaching.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

The flight allowance in rmb will almost pay for one one-way ticket from the States.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

When did 18 hours a week for 10,000 or 11,000 per month become a "lot of hours for the money?" Considering the average university job pays 4500-6000 per month for 16 hours per week, these salaries quoted above are pretty good (assuming there are few other duties outside of the teaching).

feathers · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 35

thanks so far.

I'm trying to find out more right now and will try to answer some of the questions you've got (my husband spoke to the recruiter last night and found out a bit more but I've got to check with him)

In the meantime, what could I expect with taxes? What have you found?

Also, do you think that teachers could save money living in Fuzhou? What do you think the city is like?

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Asking how much you can save is really a pointless question. How much you end up saving depends on you and other peoples' experiences don't apply to you.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

feathers · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 35

That certainly could be true, Javelin. When I was teaching in Seoul, I didn't have the highest salary, but I also didn't go out drinking and dancing like my friends as it just wasn't my scene. I didn't tutor on the side like they did, and yet I was able to come back home with quite alot in savings.

What has your experience with taxes on expats salaries?

If possible, what do you think of the city of Fuzhou? Basically, I'm asking what a teacher might estimate for expenses above the cost of rent per month (such as basically covering groceries, minimal eating out, travel for pleasure, a few cultural experiences, and maybe utilities) - a rough ball park figure is fine just to give me a brief idea.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Why not ask the school directly about taxes and any other possible deductions?

feathers · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 35

Thanks again.

I will be asking the recruiter when he returns to his office on Monday (he explained that he is flying to Fuzhou today). I've sent him a brief email about taxes and cost of living. I want to ask him more details at that time.

I just thought in the meantime I could ask a few expats for what you know or have experienced (I realize that you're just giving feedback on what you know). Then I will feel a little more well informed when I speak to him again.

So, just a rough idea about how taxes in China work or any comments on Fuzhou is welcome. Thanks.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Feathers, I pay about 30 per month in tax, but I doubt you'll have the same experience. There are numerous threads on taxes here on this forum. Go to the search function and enter "taxes" and then select the china job related forum. If you've got some free time scan some of those threads because there's tons of info there.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Is the 1.5 hour class a teaching hour or a clock hour?
It's an oddball number and my pick is 'teaching hour'.
This means the clock hours will be 1.75 - maybe 2.
Subject to clarification of the hours, I think this is a good offer and like most things in China needs careful scrutiny.
I OPd a thread a while back titled Job Offer Checklist.
You could do worse than use it as a guide next time you speak to the uni.

feathers · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 35

Thank you, Javelin

Yes, this morning I've been doing a long search on davesesl forum (China) regarding taxes. That is how I found the link that I listed, here.

Actually, though, it seemed like most of the posts were from teachers who were worried about upcoming tax changes in 2011, so I kind of got bogged down in what I was reading and hoped for something more up to date if I just asked.

From what I've been able to discern, taxes are worked out based on your salary. From that, a percent is decided (for example, for $10,000, your tax rate would be 20% and the deduction after that is $375). If you can deduct personal expenses like flights and rent, you'll get taxed less. Is that about right?

The link (again) is at http://www.shanghaitechwriter.com/2008/09/22/personal-income-tax-in-china-for-foreigners/

Am I about right in these assumptions?

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Flight allowance of 8000 Chinese RMB of of US dollars?

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

I think the OP means it's 9 classes a week, each class consisting of two 50 minute periods. If that's the case, it's a pretty good offer, much better than the average 5000rmb for 16 hours a week. You might want to confirm the hours though. Tax would be about 1000rmb each, assuming they take tax out.