Newbie from UK - rather simple question

hagridden9
By hagridden9

Hello folks,
I am a Programme Manager in the UK with one of the biggest names in IT and Telecom. Have both PMP and Prince2 certifications (also Six Sigma GB) and just over 10 years experience. Recently been offered a job with USD 11K in Qatar + 2 flights/year + return bonus. I have a similar offer from a company in Saudi as well.
From your experience is this worth leaving my nice and settled life and take the hassle of moving?
Also, it's a 10 month contract and not a perm role. Saudi one is a 6 month contract which I may prefer as wife wouldn't need to leave her job and I can do a short stint and then back home.
many regards and thanks,

By LostInSpace• 8 Mar 2012 20:12
LostInSpace

Do you not think that the huge tax free salary on offer here is something to do with 'the tens of thousands' of brits being here?

Crime - ridden UK, ROFL.......

By anonymous• 8 Mar 2012 08:51
anonymous

One yr contract isn’t worth the hassle. Stay back!

By 2020 Olympics• 8 Mar 2012 08:26
Rating: 4/5
2020 Olympics

This is very generous offer. Take it and enjoy life in Qatar. Maybe it will turn into something longer. Much better than freezing in crime-ridden UK. Just ask the tens of thousands of British expats who have fled to Qatar.

By metrob• 8 Mar 2012 08:19
Rating: 5/5
metrob

You have to be out of the UK for a full tax year (Apr to Apr) to qualify for not paying tax.

If you return to UK without completing the qualifying period you will be required to declare all earnings which will then be laible for tax.

You also have to pay NI contributions for the first 52 weeks after that you have various options.

By jjj75• 8 Mar 2012 07:49
Rating: 5/5
jjj75

yes, still 90 days (but there is talk of changing it). You will still be liable for your NI contributions for one year(so you will have to figure a way to pay that) AND to take advantage of tax free status, you should have mobilise before the beginning of the tax year (beginning of April) or all you have earned within that tax year is subject to the normal rules and regs set down by HMRC - ie FULL TAX!!!

By dweller• 8 Mar 2012 02:36
Rating: 5/5
dweller

I think the 91 day rule was some time since. If you did no more than 91 days in the UK per tax year then you avoided tax but then the 1/9th rule cut in and you could return for 1/9th of the time you were out of the country.

Now they have digital passports and scanners they are well placed to check!

I assume that you also have to be out of the UK for a full tax year to start the process.

As TB indicated, best to check.

By LostInSpace• 7 Mar 2012 23:57
LostInSpace

You well might be right mate, when I first arrived in 2009 it was 91 days but may well have changed - like you said its worth checking.

By timebandit• 7 Mar 2012 22:37
Rating: 4/5
timebandit

LIS I am pretty certain that is actually less than a month (30 days) you can be in the UK now in any one year. It changed about a year and a half ago. I have a feeling it may only be two weeks but I can't be sure. It didn't affect me so I din't pay much attention. But they are really clamping down on what they class as tax dodgers. Anyway like I say I am not certain, and can't be arsed to look it up, but to anyone that this could affect I would recommend checking.

By Tracy.C.Marriott• 7 Mar 2012 21:43
Rating: 2/5
Tracy.C.Marriott

is this USD 11k a month? if so that's good but only if you get housing allowance car/taxi cost & medical. You have to be out of UK for 12 months not to pay tax.

2 flights is good

By LostInSpace• 7 Mar 2012 20:58
LostInSpace

Is that correct? I thought that if you spend less than 91 days in the UK for a full tax year you do not have to pay - if he's here for 10 months he should be OK, or have I got it wrong?

By jjj75• 7 Mar 2012 20:08
Rating: 3/5
jjj75

Like you are swapping short term gain for an uncertain future. One year contract does not seem worth it.

By timebandit• 7 Mar 2012 19:47
timebandit

Just an after thought. You won't be out of the UK long enough to avoid paying tax back home. So bear in mind that you will have to still pay HMRC on any money you send home.

By timebandit• 7 Mar 2012 19:30
Rating: 2/5
timebandit

Brit has highlighted the main issue. Will you be able to find work at the end of the contract back in blighty? If you believe you will be able to, then come on over. Even 10 months will pass in the blink of an eye, and you will gain some valuable experience in both living and working in the ME that could open up new opportunities for you.

By Molten Metal• 7 Mar 2012 19:05
Molten Metal

some of the QL members have 24 hrs / daily / 366 days at hand, so never mind about taking their time.

By hagridden9• 7 Mar 2012 18:58
hagridden9

Folks who're recommending it's better to stay please can you take a moment to highlight why? Very briefly please not trying to take much of your time.

@Captain_lost: Would it be possible for you to suggest a range for the compensation I should seek?

@rodgie76: yes mate it's in USD. But my initial impression is this not sufficient as I won't be getting any stock options + pensions that I currently have and these are quite good numbers..

Thanks for your time,

By anonymous• 7 Mar 2012 18:37
anonymous

STAY!

By Captain_Lost• 7 Mar 2012 18:21
Captain_Lost

If i had that qualification and experience, i would never come to Qatar for 11K.. definitely way more than 11K

By rodgie76• 7 Mar 2012 18:18
Rating: 5/5
rodgie76

Make sure your offer is 11K USD not in QR. If it's in USD then take it, it's a good offer.

By britexpat• 7 Mar 2012 18:17
britexpat

Question to ask yourself: Will you be able to go back and get work quickly.

If the answer is yes, then go for it. The advantage that Qatar has is that your wife / family can fly in/out whenever they please.

By Molten Metal• 7 Mar 2012 18:17
Rating: 3/5
Molten Metal

You'll regret if you ever think of rejecting a Qatar offer.

Be one of the early birds ....!

Come out..see the world..money is not everything..

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