$$$ Check-Up Time

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Well, dear readers, it's that time of year, again.  Time for a little health check-up of your finances, year-to-date income, and - gulp - your estimated income taxes for 2010. Readers who've kept up with my articles know that I'm a CPA and I love my work.  Helping others do "battle against the beast" is challenging but enjoyable. Around this time last year, I jotted down a few hundred words regarding what I believe to be an important mid-year review of estimated taxes and periodic payment of those taxes.  If you wish, dear readers, you can review that article here. Everything in that article remains true today - that in itself is something … [Read more...]

Complaint? – Sorry, Next Window

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I've been writing about adjusting, re-adjusting, discovery and rediscovery in recent articles.  While on "vacation," I've been observing the similarities and differences between two homes - my first one and my last one. One of the reasons for vacationing was along medical lines.  My 60,000 mile maintenance was long overdo and I needed a complete inspection - body, frame, fluids:  the works.  Rather that putting up with the endless problems other military retirees face when trying to obtain medical benefits in the Philippines, I decided it best to head back to the USA and get my medical needs resolved at an MTF - a Military Treatment Facility, … [Read more...]

Adjusting — Two-Way Style

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Among this e-magazine's articles published over the past months and years, a particular theme always fascinated me.  Our publisher, MindanaoBob, wrote a number of thoughtful pieces connected to this theme. The lovely Feyma, Bob's better half, penned articles that provided us with a level of insight into this theme unobtainable from others.  Her first-person descriptions and examples enlightened readers.  They unveiled another facet of reality that future "expats" and "long-term visitors" could face at some future time. For me, that future is now. "You Can Never Go Home Again" Returning to one's roots requires a considerable adjustment, … [Read more...]

Expat Homesickness

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Can an "expat" suffer from "Homesickness"? Anyone pondering this question -- whether Filipino, "expat," or "other" -- will have a unique answer.  Not only are the answers unique -- the points of view from which they proceed are equally diverse. Being human, we all have some sense and desire for familiarity.  Finding ourselves in new or different surroundings for a considerable period often stimulates those senses and desires.  Our reactions can be quite diverse. Some people are lightly affected.  Others take it tough to the point of extreme emotion.  It's safe to assume that the reactions we call "homesickness" are as numerous and … [Read more...]

Vacation from a Vacation

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Huh?  Whazzat you’re talking ‘bout, Paul?  Are you thrusting another mind-bender on us? Many have been wondering what I’ve been up to.  It seems as though the last, three-part article was a little bit much for some readers.  Other readers wonder if something is wrong and that I’m relying on “back-up, just in case” articles to fill the void. Rest easy, dear readers:  I’m fine, and all is well.  I am currently taking a little vacation.  As the title says, it’s a “Vacation from a Vacation.”  Let me explain. First, let's see how the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines the words “vacation,” "retirement," … [Read more...]

Exclude Me? Pt III

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In Part I and Part II of this series, I introduced you to the  Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Housing Exclusion and Deduction,  a list of definitions, the "mechanics" of the exclusions and deduction , explained how they reduce the income tax liability of qualified taxpayers, and discussed IRS Form 2555-EZ. Now for the heart of it all -- employing the earned income exclusion and the housing exclusions/deductions, and completing and filing Form 2555. The same caveats of not being all-inclusive and being current as of the date of writing, as explained earlier in the other parts of the article, still apply. If you have a personal … [Read more...]

Exclude Me? Pt II

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In Part I of this series, I introduced you to a tax saving strategy that is very relevant to living in the Philippines - to the entrepreneurs and the wage or salary workers alike - Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Housing Exclusion and Deduction. Additionally, I presented the basic requirements for qualifying to use these exclusions and deduction.  I also exposed you to the definitions of various terms used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in explaining and calculating these exclusions and deduction. We'll continue our series by repeating the basic qualifications and providing you with the "mechanics" for claiming these benefits.   … [Read more...]

Exclude Me? Pt I

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In an earlier article, I mentioned a topic that needs an article of its own – the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Housing Exclusion and Deduction.  It’s very relevant to living in the Philippines – particularly to hard working residents and entrepreneurs. It’s a legal method promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reduce your taxable income and, consequently, your tax liability. This article is not all-inclusive.  As with other elements of tax calculations, your particular situation may affect your eligibility or benefits.  The discussion will cover the basics, and give you an idea of how these exclusions and … [Read more...]

Mind Your Manners!

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I was exchanging email the other day with a fellow “Kano-Pasuquiño” currently visiting his home in Florida.  Our virtual back-and-forth, spread over a couple of days, finally settled on a favorite topic:  Philippine culture and etiquette. “What’s that you say, Paul?  Talk about someone needing to get a life!” I’m sure at least one reader is thinking that now - maybe even wondering whether to continue reading or move on to something more entertaining. It’s a good topic for this web magazine, I believe.  As you read on, you’ll understand why. My fellow town-mate discovered an article on the web site TravelEtiquette … [Read more...]

New History

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That’s a funny title for an article, but it’s appropriate.  I hope it provides a good “hook” – the technique that writers use to "persuade" people to read their article.  (An interesting article on writing that I've read called it a “technique” – I zeroed in on it after its title piqued my curiosity.)   There’s quite a bit of truth in this title, however.  Let me explain. As I sit here, gazing out my window at the soon-to-be rice fields, I notice two things.  First, the calendar says it’s May 25, 2010 – okay, so I work ahead a little.  I'll just blame it on my OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).  Second, the season … [Read more...]