Job Discussion Forums

kaox0018 · Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 14

So I was in Taiwan in March/April for two weeks and came back to the States in April. I'm planning on coming back to work but don't know how early I should get back. Does this visit count towards your 183 days or do you need to be in Taiwan continuously in order to get that tax return?

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Just make sure you get back before July 1. That's the only date that really matters.

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

You need to be on Taiwan for 183 days. Any 183 days. The two weeks you were here in March/April will count towards 2007. But, keep in mind that if you leave the island for a few days vacation or need to do a visa run, the days you're gone will be subtracted.

LKJ · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 57

kaox0018

I can assure you that MomCat is absolutely correct. You have to be in Taiwan for 183 days or more, somewhere between Jan 1st 2007 and Dec 31st 2007. Consecutive days or not - it makes no difference.

When you come to submitting your 2007 tax returns (in early 2008) you may be asked to show your passport - which is how they confirm if you were under or over the 183 day mark. Nowadays, the tax office probably also have a way of checking your dates with the department of immigration - although that does sound far too organised for Taiwan!

LKJ

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

The calculation of days in country is done according to the entry and exit stamps in your passport. Provided that the days in country add up to 183 days or more then you are okay. If the days in country add up to less than this then you will forfeit the full 20% tax that you pay in the first year.

atiff · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 66

Also, for those that are cutting it fine, the day you arrive does not count as a "day in Taiwan" for counting up to the magic number of 183.

Someone I know got caught out by that last year.

AQUA MARINA · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

If I arrive August 8th and pay 20% taxes, will it be from August - December '07 , only 4 months for non refundable tax rebate?

Does the new tax year start from January till December 2008 that will count towards my 183 days for a rebate?

BigWally · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

tax yr starts jan 1

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

According to the director of the tax bureau in Taipei (straight from the horses mouth) you should only be paying 20% in the first place if you will not meet the 183 days in country before December 31st. So if you arrive at a date early enough to meet the 183 days in country rule then you should never actually pay 20%.

Of course we all know that most schools will deduct 20% regardless and if you happen to exceed the 183 days then you get most of that back again when you do your taxes the following year.

thewileycoyote · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 31

Countries use the 183 days to determine residency for taxes. It's the same is Canada and a lot of other countries and probably has a lot to do with tax treaties.

kaox0018 · Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 14

i am assuming that any days that i left for another country does not count towards the 183 mark?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

globalgourmand · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

I am finally clear on the tax process if I arrive in August and stay for at least one year! THANK YOU to clark.w.griswald!!

If you arrive less than 6 months (183 days exact) before the end of the tax year, you will pay a 20% tax rate and it will not be refunded for that time worked before the new tax year.

After that new tax year (Jan.1) any new income will either be taxed at 20% and then later refunded when you file, or you will be taxed at the new rate from then on.

twiddle_dee · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 7 Location: USA

you must be in the counrty for 183 days during the tax year. For a good review of the tax laws check out this page: http://www.glowfishtw.com/taxes.asp