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OEG Teach in Thailand: March Newsletter
That means one of two things
1. You’re clearing your summer break schedule and travel plans with your school and looking forward to the spring semester or
2. You’re solidifying logistics for your next step. (Back home, new school new country, etc)
Whichever boat you’re in we want to say a big “Thank you” and “Congratulations” from all of us at OEG! It surely wasn’t easy, or seamless but you’ve successfully navigated your way through a semester of living and teaching in Thailand!
End of Semester note
Preparing your post-semester adventures can be very exciting and enjoyable – we hope you have some big things to cross off your bucket list. Having said that, please consult your school and coordinator prior to solidifying your plans, to make sure there aren't any scheduling conflicts. Oftentimes, schools will have English camps following the semester and it's essential for native speakers to partake – not to mention, they can be super fun! Stay ahead of the curve, and speak to them sooner than later. It's in your best interest!
If you are finished at your school, make sure you speak with your coordinator and make a plan for when you will go to Thai Immigration and the Labor Department to cancel your current work visa. Some provinces are stricter than others, so planning ahead is important!
Onward Travel
If you are looking to travel abroad at the end of your contract please think and plan carefully. Click the link for some additional information on the steps you would need to take but they will ultimately be up to you to do your own research.
Link: If you are interested and would like to know more, please click here and keep on reading…
OEG Summer Courses
Money! Everybody needs it – especially when many of you have been spending your own exploring Thailand. So, we thought it might be a win-win situation if we offered all of you an opportunity for some extra income this semester!
OEG has a High School Exchange program in the USA and other countries in Europe. It’s for our Thai high school students to go abroad for a year, study and live with a volunteer host family. Before they leave for their study abroad program, OEG provides the students with intensive English courses to prep them for their new life abroad. The courses will be held between March 28th and April 29th.
If you are still in Thailand during this time and want to join our students in preparing them for their lives abroad these courses might be the perfect opportunity to also make some extra income during the break.
Link: If you are interested and would like to know more, please click here and keep on reading…
Taxes
If you are a U.S. citizen you are likely thinking about how your income abroad will affect you when filing your taxes. We wanted to share some helpful tips on how to prepare for tax season.
As you know, U.S. taxes are quite complicated and everyone’s tax situation is a bit different. Due to this OEG cannot share many direct resources on filing U.S. taxes while abroad.
That being said it is required by the IRS to do so. However, it is unlikely you will need to pay taxes on the amount of money you earned while in Thailand.
Most online tax services will allow you to file your foreign earned income and, in some cases, you will need to show proof of your income here. That could be your work contract, pay stubs, or statements from your bank account. Depending on your school’s method of payment you can request proof of this income to use in your tax filing.
Look into the channel that you typically use to file taxes back at home. (Turbotax, H&R Block, or if your family has a tax lawyer/accountant for you to use) and see how that channel will ask you to report your income abroad.
Link: For more information see this IRS link on reporting requirements for earned income while abroad.
If you are finishing your contract
Congratulations on finishing your contract with your school here in Thailand! Now you’re probably thinking you would like to travel a bit before heading home?
Check with your school on when your visa and work permit is valid. The last day on your visa is the last day you are legally allowed to stay in Thailand.
Make sure to close your bank account if you have one and get your flight in advance. Transferring money out of Thailand will be much more difficult once you leave.
Storing Luggage
While traveling during your last few weeks in Thailand most of us don’t want to drag all of our belongings with us. If you are traveling and need a place to store your luggage there are plenty of options in the Bangkok area. One location we have received news of from previous teachers is the following that you can request a quote from depending on how long you will be traveling.
Link: Jwdstoreit
Or use your OEG contacts to see who will be staying put or in your province to leave luggage with for a short time!
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