Job Discussion Forums

mutie13 · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Arizona

Hi, I am a public school teacher currently teaching in the Matsu Islands and I had a question that I hope the veterans can answer for me. I have a tax-free position but also worked a small side job teaching English for the government (Matsu Scenic Area) for a few months. I am receiving mixed signals from people here and would like to know if there are any necessary tax forms required upon departure from Taiwan or do I just board the plane? I will finish up my contract on 6-30 and depart on 7-3. Thank you for your insight...

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Can't give you a definitive answer I'm afraid; what I can say is that I leave the island every year for up to 2 months at a time and I've never been asked to submit proof of taxes paid before boarding a flight. If you legally haven't been paying tax I can't imagine that there are any tax forms you would be required to submit but you don't say whether you were paying at your 'side job'.

Perhaps someone else can chime in with something more helpful?

mutie13 · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Arizona

Thanks for replying. The side job was just a bi-weekly two-hour adult English class worth 70,400 NT total paid in a lump sum at the end of the class with no paperwork just a direct deposit.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Nice side job.
Wish I could be more help. My understanding of the tax issue is that you (may) need to have proof that you filed taxes if you are a: leaving the country and want to return or b: want to find employment with another school or employer. However if you are working in a legal non-taxed position I'm not sure what the stipulations are.

We worked at a school where we paid no tax thinking we we were quite lucky - school said they were paying it for us but never did it turned out - when we moved onto our next position it became a royal pain in the a**. We had to chase down paperwork and - because this is Taiwan - none of the tax offices are linked, so we had to go to Chiayi (where our returns should have been filed) to get anything done.

Good luck.

mutie13 · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Arizona

Thanks again for your insightful response. My immediate plans don't include coming back to work in Taiwan, but on the other hand perhaps next year I will desire doing so again in another capacity, so I'll definitely take your advice to heart. I guess I'll just see what happens as no one else seems to know either. Have a great weekend!

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 476

Them paying you via direct deposit left a paper trail. I would also assume that someone wanted to write it off as an expense for something. I'd be careful accepting payment in the form of a direct deposit. Cash in hand would be the only way to go. I know this doesn't help you, but why not ask the people who paid you?

123Loto · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 160

If that was your only taxable income it would fall below the tax credits everyone gets anyway - meaning you won't have to pay tax on it. So the only question is where to file the your tax forms?

Anyone else have a different take on that? (Usually not a good idea to take tax advice from the internet as gospel!!!)

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Perhaps the best thing to do would be to get someone to direct you to an accountant / tax consultant and ask him or her. At least that way you're fairly sure the advice is accurate.