Will these allowances cover our living costs?
Hi
The company I work for in Australia has recently been offered a project in Qatar and as part of the incentive to get some of our Engineers over there the client has offered some monthly allowances. At first glance they seem attractive but i have never been to Qatar and am unaware of the current cost of Rent, food, etc.
If i accept I would be there for six months with an option to extend for an additional six and i would be moving my wife and 2 month old son.
The deal is my current salary will be converted to US dollars from Australian dollars and will be tax free while in Qatar. I still need to clarify "Non-resident for taxation purposes". Thats the first hurdle the second is to understand if the allowances are attractive or not. They are as follows:
Monthly allowances in US dollars
Accomodation $6000
All other living expenses $1500
and thats it
Is this attractive and would it support the accomdation and living costs for a family of three? From reading some of the other posts i would need at least 1 car what is the best option here? Buy or lease? Any other advice on getting setup and setup costs would be greatly appreciated!
Love the website, lots of valuable information.
lets put it simple.
you're getting good allowances.
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.
Approach for a car, I've always maintained at a BUY Option...but for a 6 mnth Stay period...to an year, you might as well go for Rent mate...dont get into the hassles of owning and crap...!!! Cheers!
No worries, thanks for the info. What would be the best approach for a car? Lease or buy?
Sorry mate, I missed that info about your family...well yea I think QR 5000/- should be more than good enough for your house allowance...
and I mean housely grocerries and stuff!!! and occasional spending out!
And well normally you dont get 2B/r Villas in compounds...you could do a 3B/R Villa in a compound with all facilities for about say 16000/- which leaves with you with say approx 1000/- for Utilities and a whole other amount for again spending!!!
Cheers!
Read my first post, I have a wife and a 2 month old son..
From what i have read on this website from various posts the advice is to look for a villa in a compound. So we would look for a 2 bedroom furnished place in a compound with pool, gym etc.
What are we cutting fine here QR 26000/- for what...and whats in the ball park of covering costs...
You are talking about $6000 US = QR 21000/- for housing...hmmm this should be on the fairer and true side...should get you through QUITE QUITE EASILY and not just the covering costs mate!!! BTW what are you looking for I mean what kind of accomodation...put your interest down so I could tell you if its Good enough, or REAL GOOD ENOUGH!
And 1500$ US for monthly expenses...hmmm again about QR 5000/- this I might need to know what you are single, family, kiddos...??? cos this particular thing might vary mate!!!
So yea truly speaking...those are on the extremes a bit...leaving aside your actual salary which is being cnverted to US$
So yea...there you go...!!!
The government will only get my money if i am considered a resident of Australia for taxation purposes. I have looked into this with the ATO but i need my accountant to get a ruling from the ATO so I have it in writing that they cannot claim tax from my earings while in Qatar. Fromt the link you directed me to it appears that the $7500 US a month once conerted to QAR approx 26000 is cutting it fine. But i guess it is in the ball park of covering costs.
Thanks for the info.
Under Guide to Qatar.. but remember this is the very basic.... It is very expensive here,, and your Australian $ is crap at the moment, 6 months ago it was near on par with the US $... the only good thing would be that it is so low and the exchange rate from US$ to Aust $ would be ok for you. but the tax you will have to pay back in Australia will kill you. Your government will always win. They have to pay all the single moms rembember..
It is always the lost that need my guidance