Time in Taiwan, Tax and teaching

[Distressed]

I am a teacher in a public school in Taiwan. I have a low tax rate now - about 5% - and I have been told that in order to keep that low tax rate that I have to stay in Taiwan for 183 days during the contracted time in 2012, i.e. 1/1 to (about) 7/15 I have been told by some people that that opinion is not correct, that if I continue to stay in TW after the date of my contract, I can count those days also...can someone explain this to me in simple terms? How/when is the 183 days (or whatever) calculated?

My main concern: I would like to to go Shanghai to attend a graduation of some students that I taught in 2009. It is almost impossible to get an early flight out of TW. Getting a late flight out the night before is the only way...

??

[tsukinodeynatsu]

Check out the tax forum, there's a sticky on the resident taxrate stuff.

[afterspivak]

The key issue with taxation is the amount of days you spend in Taiwan during the taxation year: 1 January to 31 December of the relevant year. If you have the magic 183 days, then you will be taxed on a progressive scale; if you don't, then you will be taxed at a much less favorable flat rate (I believe it's 20%--though thankfully I have not dealt with this since my first year in Taiwan).

I hope this helps.

Guy

[Distressed]

My contract is Jan 1 to July 15..more than 183 days...but I had to leave the country for a couple of weeks...so I think I am short. I am going to be hired again for next year...does that make any difference?

[Abacus]

My contract is Jan 1 to July 15..more than 183 days...but I had to leave the country for a couple of weeks...so I think I am short. I am going to be hired again for next year...does that make any difference?

You're ok. they count the total number of days during the year (1/1 to 12/31) regardless if you are on a contract or not.

[Distressed]

Phew!

My contract is Jan 1 to July 15..more than 183 days...but I had to leave the country for a couple of weeks...so I think I am short. I am going to be hired again for next year...does that make any difference?

You're ok. they count the total number of days during the year (1/1 to 12/31) regardless if you are on a contract or not.