[skinnydogg]

hey all, i just completed a first interview to work in Hong Kong for a large US architecture firm. The position would be entry-level seeing how I just got out of college. In NYC, my entry-level architect friends make around 40,000 USD, or around 3,500 USD a month. What do entry-level architects usually make in Hong Kong? Is NYC cost of living comparable to HK cost of living?

Thanks,
skinnydogg

[seafoodghost]

Hi I am not sure you meaning of entry level architect, if you mean a fresh graduate from school, the entry salary would be around HK$20K, that's the hear-say information I get last year, construction industry in HK is quite bad so I am not sure now.

About cost of living, i have no idea cause I am
a local HK people, but the cost of a Big Mac here is app. US$1.7 and a can of Coke is app. US$0.5. Hope this help

[Erospoetae]

Skinny,

People in Hong Kong dont make as much money as they do in NY. I graduated from Suny Geneseo in 2001. Came out making 42K, but the tax system in NY/US is crazy: 28-33%. In Hong Kong the MAX is like 17-18%.

Make sure you check this publication out: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf

Otherwise you'll have to pay US taxes as well as HK taxes. Well, you could pay just US taxes and be exempt from HK taxes, but you want to work the other way around, right?That being said, 40K in the US and 40K in HK are not the same.

Hope you nailed that job interview! Life here is pretty phat!

NA

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Erospoetae

Well, you could pay just US taxes and be exempt from HK taxes

Er, not if you are employed in and live in HK you couldn't.

[Erospoetae]

PDLM- that is interesting. Double taxation???

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by Erospoetae

PDLM- that is interesting. Double taxation???

not sure wot the US site says, but if ur from Oz u only pay tax in both places if u have worked in Oz for >180days in the last financial year. then, i think the Oz govt gives u a rebate on the tax u have paid on ur income overseas anyways. if u work <180 days in the financial year in Oz, you dont pay aussie tax at all, just HK tax.

[Erospoetae]

Drop- I agree with you. I was just questioning PDLM claim.

US Tax codes is a bit different. You have to reside and work in a foriegn country (s) for 330 days out of the year AND provide evidence that you intend to LIVE and WORK in the foriegn country PERMANENTLY. It cannot be a temporary living arrangement.

[jrlevin]

Eros is right on the money about US taxation. also, I read that you have to live hear for one whole year starting on Jan 1 for you to not pay taces in the US.


As far as cost of living...it depends on your lifestyle. In genreal it is definitely cheaper here than in NYC. What kind of relocation package/expenses will the company pay for?

Eros were you at the Sept B-day party?

[PDLM]

I wasn't questioning whether you have to pay US tax, I was questioning the assertion that you could live and work in HK and somehow be exempt from HK taxes - I know of no way of doing that.

[Mat]

If you work and live in HK you pay your taxes, no matter the country you come from, whether it is US or not.