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Greenback Expat Tax Services reports: While extensions are available and often necessary, all expats should aim to file their US expat tax return by April 17th to avoid extra costs.

(PRWEB) February 29, 2012

Although all US expats receive an automatic two-month extension that prolongs the April 17th deadline to June 15th, Greenback Expat Tax Services urges expats to file by April 17th if at all possible. According to Greenback Expat Tax Services President David McKeegan, it literally pays to file by April 17th. Many expats, says Mr. McKeegan, dont realize that even though the deadline for US expats is June 15th, if they owe any taxes interest begins to accrue as of April 17th. Although many expats dont owe tax if they file their taxes correctly and take advantage of all the exclusions and credits, it always pays to be on the safe side.

US expats can also request an extension to October 15th. The IRS understands that sometimes expats are unable to file by the original or automatically extended deadline. Greenback Expat Tax Services understands this as well, but they still advise expats to plan ahead and aim for April 17th. According to Mr. McKeegan, interest charges arent the only things to consider. Its such a great feeling of satisfaction to get your tax obligations fulfilled early in the year. We know that delays are sometimes unavoidable, but filing by April 17th provides relief for expats in that it allows them to get their taxes out of the way. Furthermore, all expats should be advised not to get behind on their taxes. The IRS takes delinquency quite seriously even for expats, and those who make it a habit to file by the original deadline will be much less likely to end up under question by or in trouble with the IRS. Filing a US expat tax return can be a challenging process, but we hate to see anyone suffer the consequences of late filing or delinquency.

Finally, one last consideration that should not be overlooked: the sooner you file your US expat tax return, the sooner you are entitled to a refund (if relevant)!

For more information on US expat tax deadlines and extensions, visit http://www.greenbacktaxservices.com.

About Greenback Expat Tax Services

Greenback Expat Tax Services specializes in the preparation of US expat taxes for Americans living abroad. Greenback offers flat-fee pricing, a simple, hassle-free process, and CPAs with more than 30 years experience in the field of expat tax preparation. For more information and to download a free guide to US expat taxes, visit http://www.greenbacktaxservices.com

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Carrie McKeegan Greenback Expat Tax Services 1-888-362-5032 Email Information

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Greenback Expat Tax Services Explains Why US Expats Should File by April 17th Despite Automatic Extension

DUBAI (Reuters) - The mood in Dubai's Iranian Club was buoyant as fans gathered around the national football team, asking players to pose for pictures under the watchful gaze of Iran's revolutionary leaders whose pictures adorned the wall.

After a friendly match against Jordan, team members were about to board a bus to take them to the airport for the flight back to Tehran and talking about their prospects for the 2014 World Cup.

"There's so much more confidence," said a bystander in an Iranian football shirt who busily snapped photos with his mobile phone. "I really think we can qualify."

As the bus pulled away, the conversation turned to the state of Iranian politics and the forthcoming parliamentary elections and the atmosphere turned distinctly gloomy.

"These elections are a game to control the people," said Sabor, a 17-year-old Iranian physics student who had lived in the United Arab Emirates since he was child. "There is no point in people voting because there is no choice."

Friday's election will be Iran's first since a presidential vote in 2009, when a disputed victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triggered eight months of violent protests.

With leading reformist groups staying away from the vote, the contest is between the hardline backers of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who hope to capitalise on widespread economic discontent to defeat allies of Ahmadinejad.

At home and abroad many Iranians have experienced the difficulties of life under an unbending Islamic government and have long since given up hope that one day political change will come. The crowd outside the Iranian Club was no exception.

"Tell me who I should vote for," pleaded Jalal, a 54-year-old carpet dealer from north-west Iran on a business trip to Dubai. "There is no choice, no freedom. These candidates are self-serving and are in it for themselves."

Many were reluctant to discuss the situation in Iran - unsurprising given that the club is owned and run by the Iranian government as a cultural institution for the estimated 400,000 Iranian nationals living in the United Arab Emirates.

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Iranian expats shrug their shoulders as elections loom

By Jessica King

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: February 29, 2012 (Issue # 1697)

Reindeer are herded at a snowy camp in the taiga in northern Mongolia.

Mongolia is a country of extremes. From the climate to the economy to the landscape it is dramatic and unpredictable. Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, is even labeled the coldest capital on earth.

Despite the terrifying-sounding statistics, a rapidly growing number of foreigners are permanently settling in Mongolia, particularly in Ulaanbaatar (dubbed UB).

A third of the countrys population of about three million people live in UB. Of them, approximately four to five thousand are expatriates.

There are few concrete studies on the future demography of the country, but many current expats believe the number of foreign residents could rise significantly in the next five years, with some predicting the figures will reach as many as 50,000 by 2017.

But what attracts foreigners to Mongolia?

There are many factors that draw adventurous souls to Mongolia, a country rich in culture and history, sandwiched between two geographic giants Russia and China but one of the main attractions lies in the prospects of the countrys rapidly developing economy, more specifically in mining.

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Ulaanbaatar Makes Unlikely Magnet for Expats

LONDON (Reuters) - Canada's natural beauty, multicultural society, health care service and security made it the top place on the planet for UK expats, according to an annual index released on Wednesday.

The NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index also reported that despite a global economic malaise, more than two thirds of UK expats had not seen a reduction in their quality of life abroad and fewer planned to return home.

The fifth index by Britain's Natwest bank revealed most UK expats believe their decision to move abroad was right and that more than half of them have not had to reduce their spending significantly despite the economic backlash from a debt crisis that has depressed the global economy for years.

NatWest head of International Personal Banking Dave Isley said in a statement that the index showed expats had sailed through the most troubled global economic period since the end of World War Two.

"Our Quality of Life Index - which examines expats real life perceptions and experiences and gauges their personal assessments - shows the global financial crisis has failed to dampen the spirits of expats who seem to have adopted the 'keep calm, carry on' philosophy," he said.

Expats living in China, UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore said their financial position had 'improved dramatically' since moving to the country. Those living in Australia, Canada and New Zealand assessed their financial position as having 'improved significantly'.

Those living in Western Europe, South Africa and the United States were less enthusiastic about the improvement in their financial prospects and reported their financial position to have 'improved moderately'.

The index also reported that those Britons who escaped to the sun in Spain, France and Portugal are counting the cost of their moves as their disposable income is eroded and the cost of living rises during a period of budget austerity ushered in by a euro zone crisis that has hit market confidence in several countries tied to the single European currency.

When the first Quality of Life Index was carried out in 2007, confidence around the world was high as the global economy was expanding, household prosperity was increasing and global GDP forecasts were positive, Isley said.

"Fast forward five years and it's a very different picture however, it is the expats who are riding the storm with the majority planning to remain abroad," he said. "Those who are most likely to return home are those who retired to France, Portugal and Spain as their disposable income diminishes and the cost of living rises."

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Canada tops UK expat lifestyle quality index

High (Euronext: HCO.NX - news) growth, tax-free pay and plenty of perks are luring expats to Qatar soon to be the jewel in the Gulf crown, according to the wealth management sector

Securing the World Cup was just the beginning. Qatar is fast becoming the Middle Eastern flagship for social, financial and cultural development and a new banking hotspot.

Qatar’s booming economy and appetite for developing non-oil sectors has attracted the international spotlight, especially in light of looming regulatory changes in the United Arab Emirates, according to Guardian Wealth Management.

David Russell, chief executive officer of GWM Qatar LLC, said: “Upcoming regulatory changes to the investment fund sector in the UAE have understandably made businesses nervous. Those seeking to make the most of more tax-efficient financial hubs expect to benefit from a lucid and uncomplicated system, which Qatar currently offers."

He said financial institutions in Qatar have been making "a concerted effort" to prove themselves among Middle Eastern counterparts.

“As well as its colossal oil and gas industry, Qatar’s enthusiasm for growing its infrastructure and manufacturing sectors means it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Middle East and enjoyed the highest per capita income in the world last year," Mr Russell said.

Securing the World Cup deal has allowed Qatar to splurge on new infrastructure. It has seen the development of new residential areas, new ports and airports, as well as a new railway system and the continuous development of road networks.

“All industries are booming in Qatar and unlike many other areas around the world, there are no expectations for this to change," said Mr Russell. "The growth of the country is based on sound fundamentals and thus the job market is very fertile."

Such renovation also means there are plenty of building and engineering jobs being generated for expats, alongside financial placements.

New Telegraph Expat blogger, Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey , left Qatar seven years ago and says that although plenty of work placements are being generated, rent and cost-of-living is on the rise too.

"Qatar is where the work is and many people, especially those in the engineering fields, are heading to Qatar, many from Dubai," she said. "It is the only place in the Gulf at the moment where building is still going strong.

"But it still is around 10 years behind places like Dubai and, in so many ways, will probably never catch up. There is a strong trend backwards where expat interests such as alcohol and pork are concerned, making life much more difficult for expats. But the monetary perks being what they are, even with high rents, short-term expats can easily overlook any disadvantages."

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Growing expat exodus to Qatar