Hi. I am a westerner who derives their income totally outside Taiwan. My question is … if I marry a Taiwanese and have residency in Taiwan, do I have to register and pay tax in Taiwan? I would really like to keep my tax-free situation.
No. No income in Taiwan, no taxes. Very simple. Not sure why your not paying taxes in your home country though? Better make sure you have your tax laws straight, you don’t want to end up bunking with Big Bubba and his night stick!
Thanks for the reply. Not all countries are like USA, where the only way to stop paying taxes is to revoke citizenship. I left my parent country over 10 years ago, and closed off my tax returns because the policy there is - if you don’t live there, you don’t pay tax. The last country I lived and paid tax I also left permanently, so they also finalised my tax account. Then I moved around a lot.
Anyway, I am in a fly-in, fly-out job, and could end up working literally anywhere in the world at any time, so I actually spend more than 50% of my time outside Taiwan. but probably I should see a local tax accountant and check.
If you are doing the work outside Taiwan and paid by an overseas company then for now you don’t need to pay taxes on that money in Taiwan. However, if you physically do the work in Taiwan (even consulting on the phone for an overseas company) then you are liable for taxes.
I have read that you may soon be taxed even for money earned outside the country but yes, see a tax accountant.