Need some advise from FilAm Tsikoters

[bongliza]

mga bros, I was offered a job somewhere in New Jersey from an International Co. I haven't been to US and I don't know the Cost of Living there. I have a few questions here to you Guys to help me do some accounting if it's worth considering.

1. How much do you pay for the Income Tax?
2. Approx. monthly allowances for foods, etc. (excl shopping, beers, etc)
3. Utilities like electrivity, water, cable TV, telephone, etc.
4. Apartment (Studio type in the meantime). How much po?
5. How many years do I have to stay in US before I can apply for a Green Card?
6. Can i get my whole family with only the Working Visa as my supporting Doc?

Maraming salamat po...

[empy]

1. very dependent on your income level and state. NJ has state and i think local tax to go with federal income tax, so mas mataas sila (FL for example has no state or local taxes). rule of thumb ko is about 25% if your income is more around $50k, and one-third if you're making around $100k.

2. for one person? food is relatively cheap in the US. maybe 200 kung medyo tipid ka

3. anywhere from 300-500 depende sa amenities mo.

4. dito ka mayayari. if you're living close to the City, it can go as high as $3-5k.

5. if you're coming on a work permit your company will have to sponsor you. the work visa only lasts for a certain number of years. di ko po alam the process of converting to permanent residency.

6. yes. but of course, your wife cannot work if she doesn't have a work visa of her own. someone correct me if i'm wrong.


good luck kapatid!

[bongliza]

1. very dependent on your income level and state. NJ has state and i think local tax to go with federal income tax, so mas mataas sila (FL for example has no state or local taxes). rule of thumb ko is about 25% if your income is more around $50k, and one-third if you're making around $100k.

2. for one person? food is relatively cheap in the US. maybe 200 kung medyo tipid ka

3. anywhere from 300-500 depende sa amenities mo.

4. dito ka mayayari. if you're living close to the City, it can go as high as $3-5k.

5. if you're coming on a work permit your company will have to sponsor you. the work visa only lasts for a certain number of years. di ko po alam the process of converting to permanent residency.

6. yes. but of course, your wife cannot work if she doesn't have a work visa of her own. someone correct me if i'm wrong.


good luck kapatid!

thanks for the advise...huh...parang hirap yata.

[Macky]

1. How much do you pay for the Income Tax?

> around 27% to 30%

2. Approx. monthly allowances for foods, etc. (excl shopping, beers, etc)

> Kung marunong kang magluto mga $150 to $250 monthly kung mag-isa ka.

3. Utilities like electrivity, water, cable TV, telephone, etc.

> Electricity from $40 to $80 (1BR), gas around $40, tubig minsan libre sa mga apartments, cable is around $60 w/o movie chanels, phone is as low as $20 if you shop around. Monthly ito ha.

4. Apartment (Studio type in the meantime). How much po?

> Mas maganda kung mag Suburban Lodge ka muna and then shop around. A year ago nasa around $600 ang 1-bed unit nila w/ gas range, TV, phone, ref (maliit lang), microwave at complete utensils na sila. Then pag nakapag-shop around ka na ng apartment saka ka lumipat. Not sure lang kung merong Suburban Lodge sa NJ. Pede din namang mag stay ka muna sa relative mo o sa kakilala. Yung basement na tinirhan ng friend ko sa NJ (Pinoy din may ari) nasa $800 monthly. Yung apartments naman nasa $1200+ for a studio type.

5. How many years do I have to stay in US before I can apply for a Green Card?

> Pwede na pagka baba mo pa lang ng eroplano ipalakad mo na agad GC mo. Usually ikaw ang may sagot ng attorney's fees sa GC processing pero kung sasagutin ng employer mo bakit hindi. 7 years ang limit ng H1 visa pero pedeng mas matagal kung a year before your 7th year ay nai-file mo na ang GC application mo.

6. Can i get my whole family with only the Working Visa as my supporting Doc?

> Yes pero H4 visa silang lahat (di pedeng magtrabaho ng legal ).

Consider mo din travel expense mo from work. Rent-a-car is expenssive at saka maganda naman transpo system sa NJ. Kung bibili ka naman ng sasayan, kumuha ka ng International License sa Pinas just for the sole purpose na makatipid ka sa insurance. Malaking bagay kasi yung insurance ng International License kasi pede mong gamitin as your previous insurance. Pag wala kang previous insurance, times 3 ang babayaran mong insurance.

HTH!