Will this work?

They will tax you through inflation here in Doha. Yearly inflation is around 20% to 30%.

Check out this recent article

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=237717&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56

Expats feel the force of inflationPublished: Monday, 25 August, 2008, 01:26 AM Doha Time

By Pratap John and Anwar Elshamy

THE average monthly expenditure of a Qatari family has gone up by over 82% to QR40,757 between 2001 and 2007 while an expatriate family has seen an increase of about 46% to QR13,329 during the same period.

Data from the Income & Expenditure of Families’ Survey just released by Qatar Statistics Authority indicate that a Qatari family’s average monthly expenditure on housing was about 29.3% while that of an expatriate family 30.8% in 2007.

These stood at 17.6% for a Qatari family and 21% for an expatriate family in 2001. The expenses on water, electricity and fuel have been built into the housing component, QSA data reveal.

This is the fourth such survey being undertaken in Qatar. The last household survey on income and expenditure in the country was carried out in 2001.

The first household survey on income and expenditure was done in 1982 – 83 and the second one in 1988.

As per the survey, a Qatari family’s expenditure on food, beverage and tobacco in 2007 was 11.2% compared with 17.5% in 2001.

On the other hand, an expatriate family’s expenditure on food, beverage and tobacco in 2007 was 13.8% compared with 19% in 2001.

The reduction in percentage was due to rising income levels of both Qatari and expatriate families in Qatar, which is mainly due to climbing inflation.

The survey indicates the number of Qatari families with monthly expenditure of less than QR5,000 was only 24 (0.1% of total Qatari families) compared with 315 (1.3%) in 2001.

At the same time, the number of expatriate families with monthly expenditure of less than QR5,000 stood at 8,837 (13.6%) last year compared with 15,569 families (25.6%) in 2001.

Some 6,201 Qatari families had monthly expenditure in excess of QR50,000 last year. They constitute 21.2% of the total Qatari families. In 2001, their number stood at 1,657 (6.6%).

However, only a mere 1.4% or some 915 expatriate families had monthly expenditure in excess of QR50,000 last year. In 2001, their number was 61 (0.1%), as per the survey.

A Qatari family had spent an average QR4,584 a month on food, beverage and tobacco last year compared with QR3,923 in 2001. An expatriate family’s monthly expenditure on food, beverage and tobacco last year averaged QR1,836 compared with QR1,735 in 2001.

A Qatari family had spent an average QR5,608 on transportation in 2007 compared with QR3,686 in 2001. An expatriate family’s average spend on transportation in 2007 was QR1,889 compared with QR1,337 in 2001.

On education, a Qatari family was seen spending an average QR1,509 a month last year compared with QR881 in 2001.

An expatriate family’s monthly education expenditure was close at QR1,333 in 2007 compared with QR731 in 2001.

Monthly health-care expenses of a Qatari family stood at QR882 last year compared with QR412 in 2001. The monthly healthcare expenses of an expatriate family were QR198 in 2007 compared with QR240 in 2001.

A Qatari family had seen spending QR4,053 a month on furniture, household gadgets and housemaids last year compared with QR2,352 in 2001. The expenses incurred by an expatriate family on this count were QR614 in 2007 and QR511 in 2001.

On culture, entertainment and sports, a Qatari family had spent QR1,882 in 2007 compared with QR536 in 2001. The expenses incurred by an expatriate family on this count were QR368 in 2007 and QR312 in 2001.

The monthly expenditure by a Qatari family on hotels and travel stood at QR1,408 in 2007 compared with QR984 in 2001. For an expatriate family, the monthly expenditure under this head was QR453 (2007) and QR197 (2001).

The survey report said expatriate families drawing less than QR30,000 a month would find the going tough in view of the rising housing costs. The monthly average expenditure of 30.8% in 2007 was quite high, it said.

2 factors I would consider:

1- Living expenses in Qatar is quite a bit more expensive than the US, especially in Doha in desirable locations. 2- Most, if not all, workers in Qatar are there because they earn more $ than back home, often much more.

so in my opinion, if you are able to find work for the same $ offered in Qatar (incl. housing cost which is steep in Qatar), then I would think US is a better deal.

well my friend i'm trying not to imagine you're talking about $85.000 a month cos if it is, then i'll say you're one "lucky son of a lucky mother" but if its for the year i think its just fair... according to what i know and all the posts i've read on QL.......I THINK YOU'LL LIVE.....

I believe the way the tax thing works is if you are working for an American company, you would have to pay tax on what you make over like 82,500. I can't remember the exact figure, but I think that is close. If you are working for a Qatari company, or Middle Eastern company, then your income is tax free. You need to consult with a tax attorney before you come over though, just to cover yourself. For a single person, that salary is more than adequate. Hope that helps. :)

I can get the same salary here in the US. Just trying to determine wether Qatar is a good fit for me.

I am also looking for a good quality of life and a place where I can live an active lifestyle. I love the beach and water sports so i would assume this is definately a good location for that.

Comoany is called Techno-Q. Work with Audio Visual systems. I will be a project Engineer and design systems.

Americans (from USA as opposed to Central or South Americans) have to pay tax on their WORLDWIDE income...

Whether it is good or bad depends on what position the offer is for , a lot of guy's would say it is good - but they are generally not from the West.

I believe Americans have to pay tax on their income.