Middle East Flying

AVIATOR83

AVIATOR83

Well-Known Member
I don't want to be too specific, but I received a call today from a pilot recruiting agency that I had applied to on Saturday regarding a SIC position on a CE-750. The offer is very appealing - more than a captain would make on this jet in the states and living expenses are paid for by client. I would have a 12 month term contract consisting of four rotations of two months on and one month off.

I've tried researching a little about this matter on this and the other site and have not been able to find adequate information. My question is have any of you done this sort of thing. From what I did find is that a lot of pilots seem to like it and recommend it. I want to know if anybody has any knowledge on what you are taxed on and how much. This will be based in the Middle East.
 
I lived in Egypt for a year and a half and can answer the tax portion but as far as the flying goes I'm not your guy. For taxes, there a set amount that is tax free. When I was there in 2007 the amount was $86,000. Whatever you make above that gets taxed as if you started from $0. For example, you make $100,000. Using the numbers from 2007, you would be taxed on $14,000 at the tax bracket corresponding to $14,000. If you see any other openings over there let us know about them, I'd love to get back overseas.
 
Thank you. I see what you mean. I did a quick search for Expat Tax Exemptions and found that for 2011, anything over $92900, you're taxed on.

Once I fill out the paper work and send it to the agency, the client has to approve my profile and then interview me via telephone. These jobs are out there - I did a random search for CE-560XL and CE-750 jobs and this popped up. We'll see what happens.
 
AVIATOR83 said:
Thank you. I see what you mean. I did a quick search for Expat Tax Exemptions and found that for 2011, anything over $92900, you're taxed on.

Once I fill out the paper work and send it to the agency, the client has to approve my profile and then interview me via telephone. These jobs are out there - I did a random search for CE-560XL and CE-750 jobs and this popped up. We'll see what happens.
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Congrats and good luck. Are you typed on these jets?
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
Congrats and good luck. Are you typed on these jets?
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Thanks. I am SIC typed in the 560XL, 650, and 750. I'm an intern at FSI, so when I stay for one year or get an offer I can't refuse, they will award me a PIC type rating in the jet that the offer is for. I have some time in both aircraft through contract trips I have been doing.
 
Be sure to have everything in writing, down to the finest details including housing, transportation, etc. Don't trust them to "do the right thing".

Be careful with the tax exemptions when you are on a rotation schedule. They only apply if you are out of the country for 330 days concurrently out of the year, or if you establish residency in the country you are working in. Talk to an accountant or tax attorney on this one.
 
AVIATOR83 said:
Thanks. I am SIC typed in the 560XL, 650, and 750. I'm an intern at FSI, so when I stay for one year or get an offer I can't refuse, they will award me a PIC type rating in the jet that the offer is for. I have some time in both aircraft through contract trips I have been doing.
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Good for you and congrats. Like Godzilla said though, get everything in writing. Your not in Kansas anymore, but it sounds like you'll have a lot of fun!
 
Thought is was 335 days out of any 365 days, but do check it out. Hint: Rotation doesn't mean you need to come back to US if you want to make sure you meet the requirements.

I used to be the Program Manager for Maintenance for AWACS, F-15 and C130 (line and Depot) for the Royal Saudi Air Force (Boeing under BISS at the time, Alsalam held the Prime). Not sure how these guys worked it and not suggesting you do anything wrong, however I was clear to all my employees they were part of a foreign company and thus would not be receiving a W-2 or 1099, nor were we required to or would report any income to any tax authority. It was up to them to self disclose their income.
 
Spoke with the agency today and it looks like the client is an American based company, so this throws another variable into the equation. I would be my own independent contractor working for an American company based in a foreign land. As mentioned before, if I do officially get an offer, I will have to speak to a professional.

I don't meet the mins, however given my background, the recruiter wants to submit my profile to them. If there are any CE-750 drivers looking for work, the Middle East has some open slots.
 
Since it is an American based company I think you have to be overseas for more that 220 days out of the year to get any tax exemptions. Sorry not trying to be debbie downer.
 
The rule is 330 days in any 12 consecutive months. The days don't need to be consecutive, you just need to be out of the country for 330 days. Even if you worked 60 on and 30 off nothing says you need to go to the US for those 30, lots of cheap places to take a month long vacation. .......and after time in the mid east you'll appreciate a vacation.
 
Honestly, I would have no problem disclosing that information if it wasn't for a third parties agreement that I signed. They specifically mention this very thing in a clause, so out of respect for them, I'm not at liberty to say details(Everybody needs to make some money). However, I will say that with a little savvy Google searching, one could connect the dots and figure it out.
 
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