Job Discussion Forums

[Whatever will be]

A new 2 percent tax on expat remittances has been approved


Financially, its no longer worth working in Oman

http://www.timesofoman.com/News/43164/Article-VIDEO-Majlis-Al-Shura-approves-tax-on-expat-remittances-and-other-top-stories

[MuscatGary]

Doesn't seem to have been passed into law yet: http://www.timesofoman.com/News/43184/Article-Remittance-tax-on-expats-in-Oman-back-in-focus

[1st Sgt Welsh]

I've asked one of the old-hands where I work about this and apparently this idea has been discussed for years with no action having been taken. Hopefully, it can stay that way indefinitely.

[Whatever will be]

The Times They Are a-Changin'

Lately, there have been a lot of hurdles placed into the path of ex-pats (2 year work ban, no/less alcohol licenses, restrictions/limitations on work visas especially for single females, difficulties in getting visas for family members, etc..)

This tax is yet another hurdle.

Seems that more conservative segments/directions are taking over in the face of the Sultan's ill health and gradual loss of reigning power

[MuscatGary]

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[MuscatGary]

[EFL Educator]

TAX OH MAN!!!!!!

[Chuma]

Is there a limit as to how much you can bring out on a plane? I'll be happy to declare it, but am wondering if there's a ceiling of some kind.

[grahamb]

It depends on the plane. On the Airbus A340 it's 12,500 metres (41,000 feet).

Ok, I'll be serious. Cash sums or cheques of 10,000 EUR (or equivalent) have to be declared upon arrival in the European Union, either from abroad or if you're travelling between EU member states. In the USA the limit is 10,000 USD. It's not liable for tax, but you may be required to provide proof of how you obtained it. It happened to me last year, and it was a pain in the neck getting the necessary documentary evidence. It's easier and safer to send it by bank transfer.

[EFL Educator]

DO NOT CARRY CASH ON THE PLANE!

[Tazz]

Preposterous. How would I buy my Indomie and can of fizzy pop on an air asia flight without some coin?

[Whatever will be]

The 2 % remittance has to be introduced to help balance the budget.

http://main.omanobserver.om/call-for-broadening-tax-base/

The Committee recommended imposing tax on expatriates’ transfers; 2 per cent of the transferred amount, which will generate about RO 62 million. Meanwhile, it voted down the move to increase the fee to recruit expatriate labour from RO 200 to RO 250.
Majlis Ash’shura believes that if the aforementioned recommendations are implemented, they will generate RO 302 million, thus the amended total revenues in light of the recommendations of the Committee in its report, will be about RO 12,242 million.

Exchanging in the home country is often only possible through the local bank, with which has to have an account. The exchange rate is in most cases rather poor and there is a waiting period of 3 -5 days until one can access the money.

So, it's a loss of hard earned cash either way

[Tazz]

Isn't it about time there was a standard Gulf currency?Same as the Euro....One of the reasons to transfer the currency is the fact that it's unrecognized in many places...if I take a wedge of Omani rial to Indonesia with me I simply can't change it there-however, if it was Saudi rial I'd have no problem.

[Mushkilla]