You REALLY REALLY REEEAAAALLLLYYYY need to be careful playing this game, never mind putting this advice on a public forum. A lot of people have tried to play this game and got told NO with penalties and interest. I would say that if you work for a U.S. carrier, and thus a citizen or green card holder or work visa, that overseas deal ain’t gonna work. If you work for a foreign carrier, and live abroad (FOR REAL) then you could do it. No matter what, you still have to pay U.S. tax AND you still have to file a return. It’s an exclusion NOT an exemption.

This is NOT advice, it’s awareness. There is a story from years ago when some Northwest guys were trying to pull this stunt and got caught. You can mess up your marriage, your life, your house but DON’T MESS WITH THE IRS. They are not forgiving or nice when it comes to people trying to cheat or rip them off.

I know it’s a pain but pay your taxes. Things like this will haunt your finances in more ways than one. Employers can AND WILL terminate you for this. If you do go overseas, YOU MUST REPORT YOUR INCOME AND ACCOUNTS NOW PERIOD.

Rant finished and please, I beg of you, be careful with this. This is a biggie!

 

I've said it on this forum before and I will say it again. This is a place to get information about a particular job you are targeting and for entertainment purposes. TAXES need to be discussed with a tax attorney that has experience with foreign income if that is your case. One of my coworkers in Japan thought that he was smarter than the system, got hit with over 280,000 in back taxes and avoided jail by a hair thin margin.

In the 14 years I spent in Japan, got audited twice. It was so nice each time to have everything crystal clear and get rid of them quickly! You are not as smart as you think if you believe that you can pull a fast one against the IRS.

 

It was not a story. It was a little different in that they were not looking for a way to dodge taxes living overseas. They were Airlink crews living in TN which does not have state income tax. They then either switched domiciles to MSP or got based there with another carrier (Northwest maybe) but they got the bright idea to get PO Boxes in TN and claim that as their residence. The IRS figured it out and made it painful. It was in the MPLS Tribune at the time. I read it but don't remember all the particulars. Either way they got caught trying to dodge taxes.

 

If you are trying to game the system, of course you will get in trouble. My comment regarding a mail forwarding address was meant for those who truly reside overseas, and have no home, or property in the United States, but still require a U.S. mailing address. It was not meant to assist in cheating on taxes.

 

What's the lifestyle like, and I suppose I should ask what the lifestyle difference is between the B747 and MD11? Is it all ANC-ICN-HKG-ICN stuff? Lot of sleep schedule flips, or pretty consistent when you're on your line? Days off protected?

 

Been there done that and I don't "cheat" the system. Don't file the exemption because case law says I would be in violation of the law, even though my base is a city in the US I have set foot in once in the last 20 years, and dont set foot in the US except for training. The IRS, though, feels that's where my tax home is. I'll settle my score when I retire and renounce.

If WG is "basing" someone in BOG, though, the IRS would have a hard time arguing they're not based in BOG, especially if they have nothing to do with the US (properties for instance). Still obviously you'd discuss that with an accountant who can deal with international pilot taxes.

NOTE: Not specifically replying to you, just the rash of posts you and me inspired.

 

Never take financial or legal advice from a pilot.

 

If you think legal advice is expensive, you should see what they're getting for illegal advice!😋

 

The other thing to consider, AND DISCUSS WITH A REPUTABLE TAX PROFESSIONAL (I really hate that you always have to put a disclaimer in every single comment), is the tax treaty between your country of residence and the United States. Most of the times the treaties cover taxes for people who earn money in the shipping or aviation industry. The treaty with my country of residence specifically covers how taxes are handled for residents of one country, but work for a company headquartered in the other country. There are provisions for if work is done with some international shipping/flying versus strictly flying domestically within the country of the company headquarters. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT SPECIFIC ADVICE, JUST GENERAL ADVISING THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX AND CONFUSING ISSUE, AND ONE THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE NOT TO SCREW IT UP.

 

Also planning on renouncing after retirement. Haven't lived in the United States in a very long time, and have dual citizenship.