It looks like I'm going to work in Qatar for a couple of years, Just wondered if any of the Tiger nation had worked over there and what the tax implications are? and any other things I should know !! Apart from don't go. UTT Sorry this ain't about City but it's worth a punt !!
Hi Camtiger I guess that I am your man having lived (and worked) in Qatar for two and a half years 2002/4. In answer to your question about income tax there is NONE. All of your earnings go in your pocket. As for the UK you are best advised to write your tax office and advise them about your change of circumstances and enclose a copy of your contract (block out the salary and and perks i.e. housing details) and the date of your departure. Request that they send you the relevant documents and brochures about being an expat and these will explain the finer details of days in and out of the UK. You also need to pay the minimum rate of NI contributions and this is best done on a standing order. Some people use an accountant and SeaTax in Doncaster is one who are well experienced in expat tax affairs. There is only one city of any size and that is Doha elsewhere the vast majority of the country is a flat, featureless desert that seems to be only about one metre above sea level, the exception being to the south of the country where there is an area of sand dunes and a large salt water lagoon. Doha itself is a sprawling, modern city with some beautiful buildings and very impressive hotels. Road communications through the country are excellent but beware the drivers - roundabouts in particular providing some hair-raising experiences. They also have a lot of speed control by radar traps. Beware of vehicles, especially land cruisers, parked at the roadside as they are often used by the police as speed traps. When I first arrived in the country it was on a visitors visa that had to be converted to a residence visa after the relevant papers had been given to the immigration authorities and they in turn had issued me with the residence visa. I then had to fly to Bahrain and back to Doha re-entering the country on the residence visa. The next job is to undergo a joining routine and this is not a pleasant experience but hopefully it will be better now, ten years along! In the joining routine you have to undergo a medical, (chest xray, aids test etc.) - you join long lines of people, mostly from the third world, out in the sun and slowly shuffle your way to the front door of the hospital (take a bottle of water with you - it gets hot) - A week later I had to return to pick up a piece of paper confirming I was fit that had to be taken to the immigration office where they will issue you with an ID card. You also have to have a blood test,; driving test or, if you are fortunate, a licence re-issue; open a bank account. The only thing each of these operations have in common are long, hot lines of people slowly shuffling forward, mostly in the heat. You also have to get a vehicle and having an air conditioned car is necessity. Finally when you have all the basic paperwork completed you have the most important job of all - you have to get your alcohol licence - this licence allows you to squander, at the one, very well stocked, liquor shop in Qatar, up to 10% of your salary on booze. You can also drink in all the large hotels and many private clubs including the Brits favorite, The Doha Rugby Club. There is a final task and that is a simple but important one. When you know where you are living register yourself with the British Embassy then in the event of major political of natural disaster they know where to find you to get you out. Working hours for government and major industries tend to be 08.00 till 16.00 Monday to Thursday, private businesses, shops etc tend to open about 07.30 closing at 13.00 and re-opening late afternoon until about 20.00. If you work for either RasGas or Qatar Gas then you may be housed at the Al Khor complex that is about 30 miles north of Doha. Similarly if your work is at the main oil port, the refinery, steelworks or pre-cast concrete factory then you will likely be housed at Umm Said about 30 miles south of Doha. Both expat residential areas have good facilities, private clubs with restaurants and beach facilities etc. but they are a long way out of town for and evening out. Leisure facilities are pretty good. There is a golf course to the north end of Doha, the Rugby Club, cinemas showing current high end films, huge shopping malls and the British Council put on plays etc. with visiting troupes etc. The bigger hotels also organize concerts and similar with top end pop groups, singers etc. There are a multitude of restaurants and you can get all kinds of foods, Western, American, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese etc. and prices are affordable. You can go to the beach (most of the larger hotels ave access to private beaches) a the Shoreline complex (about 40 miles south of Doha) a beautiful beach with a basic hotel and good dining facilities bar etc. Beware swimming in the sea during the months of September/November though as this is when there can be lots of jelly fish which turn the water into "jelly soup" - some jelly fish are exceedingly dangerous and include the Sea Wasp said to be the most venomous creature on earth. We always kept some strong alcohol in a small bottle and anti-histamine cream with us in case the kids got stung as both are good first aid measures. Hospitals and clinics, schools etc are generally "State of the Art" facilities but ensure that your contract covers you for medical treatment and school fees (if applicable) as both can be expensive. Anything more send me a pm via the site. I will be at the game tonight and sit in the lower West Stand W10 254 Z if you wish to chat or ask specific questions. Best regards and I hope you enjoy your time there. I did not, I lived in Doha near the airport, traveled 100 km per day each way to the office and found the whole place very boring. BEWARE THE ROADS - THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS.
Just on a tax note keep an eye on UK residencey and domicile rules, if you come back to the UK too often / spend too long back here (even if you are classing it as a holiday) you could get caught under uk tax law
And if you're gay you should "refrain from sexual activity" because Sepp Blatter jokingly said so. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9284186.stm
Thanks for your time and effort in replying Geoff. I will be working near Mesaieed on the complex of Qafco on a project called Sahara Desert Project if your interested here's the link I'm trying to help save the world !!! ... http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/28/sahara-forest-project-pilot-gets-funding-and-go-ahead ... I will look into your advice.
Thanks Marv ... I believe it's a 90 day limit but I will stand corrected .. I don't see me coming home for that sort of time in one year, I reckon I'll be home every two months or so, 5 flights per year paid for.
Oh and theres **** all there, like said above the only city really is Doha with 1.5mill people living there and there is only 1.8mill in the whole country so pretty much EVERYONE is in Doha. Temperatures reach 40-50c in the summer too.
