Tutor Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Dh may have the opportunity to finish his dissertation overseas (Denmark, specifically). Neither of us has ever lived overseas, so I don't even have a clue as to where to start looking for information about moving overseas. I am sure that the university will be of some help, but their help wouldn't come until after a definite "yes," but my need to be prepared won't let me wait that long. ;) The first questions that popped into my head were: 1. Do we follow Denmark's homeschooling regs or our US state of residency? If we decide to enroll the kids in a school there, how does that work? 2. How is healthcare handled overseas? Do we use our insurance here (we pay for private ins.) or do we use their system? 3. What do we do with all of our stuff? Much of it we would sell, but what about books and heirloom furniture? 4. What about money? Do we keep a US bank or do we open an overseas account? 5. How do taxes work? I am assuming we pay taxes to both countries. 6. Will our computers work over there or will we need new ones? I am assuming we will at least need plug adapters, but we will need to replace our laptops soon anyway, so we might as well replace them with new ones we can take with us if we can. I know there are tons of things I'm not even thinking of (or questions are racing through my mind so fast that I can't even pin them down long enough to consider them :D). Where do I even start finding answers to these questions? I need some btdt advice and encouragement. One minute, I am so excited and the next I am terrified. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Dh may have the opportunity to finish his dissertation overseas (Denmark, specifically). Neither of us has ever lived overseas, so I don't even have a clue as to where to start looking for information about moving overseas. I am sure that the university will be of come help, but their help wouldn't come until after a definite "yes," but my need to be prepared won't let me wait that long. ;) The first questions that popped into my head were: 1. Do we follow Denmark's homeschooling regs or our US state of residency? If we decide to enroll the kids in a school there, how does that work? Unless you are (or your hubby is) working for the US government in a capacity that falls under the Status of Forces Agreement you must follow the laws of the given country. Denmark is one of the countries where you can homeschool, it's not illegal. There will be international schools in most areas (mostly for expats) as well as the local public schools. I'm not sure how it works in Denmark, compared to where we lived in Germany. 2. How is healthcare handled overseas? Do we use our insurance here (we pay for private ins.) or do we use their system? In Germany you only use the publicly-funded system if you are a citizen. Otherwise, you need private insurance. I don't know how Denmark works but I would imagine it is similar. 3. What do we do with all of our stuff? Much of it we would sell, but what about books and heirloom furniture? I would not move heirloom furniture overseas, too much potential for damage. 4. What about money? Do we keep a US bank or do we open an overseas account? You'll probably need both. In Germany many utilities are paid directly from your local bank account, there is no other way to pay them. 5. How do taxes work? I am assuming we pay taxes to both countries. Yes, you will probably have to pay taxes to both. We did not pay German taxes, since DH was military and I did not work. However, here's a link that might help: http://www.ehow.com/how_2146368_file-taxes-from-overseas.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art 6. Will our computers work over there or will we need new ones? I am assuming we will at least need plug adaptors, but we will need to replace our laptops soon anyway, so we might as well replace them with new ones we can take with us if we can. Some computers are dual voltage. If you are planning to replace your computers, I would get dual voltage computers so that you can use them there and when you get back. Living overseas is a great opportunity. We loved the experience and would go back in a heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 1. Do we follow Denmark's homeschooling regs or our US state of residency? If we decide to enroll the kids in a school there, how does that work? You would have to follow their rules. Schooling would be available but whether they have schools that teach in English is a different question. 2. How is healthcare handled overseas? Do we use our insurance here (we pay for private ins.) or do we use their system? I don't know this. European medical costs are much lower than ours, though. 3. What do we do with all of our stuff? Much of it we would sell, but what about books and heirloom furniture? You put them in storage or you ship them there, I recommend storage., 4. What about money? Do we keep a US bank or do we open an overseas account? Both if you are still paying certain bills over here. You would pay your bills over there with the European bank and your bills here with the US. 5. How do taxes work? I am assuming we pay taxes to both countries. Normally you get a partial or full credit on your US taxes on what you earn overseas but since we were military, we didn't pay foreign taxes so I am not positive on that one. 6. Will our computers work over there or will we need new ones? I am assuming we will at least need plug adapters, but we will need to replace our laptops soon anyway, so we might as well replace them with new ones we can take with us if we can. They will work but you may need a transformer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 Thank you! I would not move heirloom furniture overseas, too much potential for damage. LOL! I was thinking of storing it in the US, I just don't know where. Maybe "loaning" it to relatives while we're gone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Thank you! LOL! I was thinking of storing it in the US, I just don't know where. Maybe "loaning" it to relatives while we're gone? There are long-term storage companies. You might want to call a local moving company and see what they can tell you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 (edited) * Edited November 13, 2009 by Snickerdoodle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 If you are being paid by the foreign entity and paying into their tax system and have foreign residence you are able to deduct that income up to a certain limit (around 80K I think) for US tax purposes. You can look at tax forms 2555 and related publications for more information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 If you are being paid by the foreign entity and paying into their tax system and have foreign residence you are able to deduct that income up to a certain limit (around 80K I think) for US tax purposes. You have to meet foreign residency requirements, essentially you have to be outside the United States for 11 months of the year, whatever start/stop dates you select. I think the limit went down a bit this year, maybe it's in the upper 70's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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