Australia Late Summer '08?

[DRAGOONRANCH]

To stay in good graces w/ the IRS, I am only going to make two trips home this year (Memorial Weekend and Clayton). My other vacation is up in the air. I was thinking about heading to Australia for a week or two and maybe catch a comp while I am there. They are having one the 23r-30th of August in Jimna, Queensland. It looks to be about 600 miles from Sydney and would take a few days driving to get there and back. Looking into renting a Rover w/ camping gear and hit the road and see the sights. Thoughts, comments? Anybody want to tag along?

[DRAGOONRANCH]

I am still in the early planning stages on this, but South Africa, Thailand/Phillipines, and Europe are all places of interest.

[Jackasic]

why do you have to come home twice for teh IRS?

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Ok, are you ready for Overseas Taxation 101:

Ok, I earn a vacation every 4 months (3 a year) for which I get paid for 10 days on each. I can take longer (up to 16 on the first two, and 21 on the 3rd) but will only get paid for the 10. 10 days is just not long enough to be home, get over jet lag, catch up w/ family, catch up w/ friends and catup on your drinking (Damn you General Order #1). For overseas earnings, to qualify for the "tax-free" status on your wages, you must be out of the country for 330 days (this means in country no more than 35 (36 on a leap year) in any one year period. This time frame can start and end on any date (i.e. July 19 2008 - July 18 2009). I will be home for 15ish days in May, and plan on being home for about the same in December, so that is 30-34 days racked up right there. If I were to have to come home for an emergency these days count against you also. There is no waiver even for a death in the family.

[StevenAg03]

if you still looking to lose weight, definatly go to Austrailia, or any other British country for that matter. The food SUCKS and is very bland...

[robertf03]

bloomin onions are good

[Jackasic]

ah, the way you worded it it sounded like you had to be in county twice. If I read it right now, what your saying is that you can't be in the US more than 35 days.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

correctamundo

[DRAGOONRANCH]

if you still looking to lose weight, definatly go to Austrailia, or any other British country for that matter. The food SUCKS and is very bland...

this i know, but the pubs would probably offset that