Credit Card Base

With tax time right around the corner, many people are starting to get all their filing information together, such as receipts, donation records, bank statements, and 1099 forms. And while it’s important to make sure you have all the relevant documents so you can file your taxes correctly, it’s just as important to be sure you don’t skip any deductions which you may be eligible for. So before you send that paperwork in to the IRS come April, make sure you aren’t missing any of these 13 most commonly overlooked tax deductions.

Tax Preparation Fees Listed first because so many people miss out on it. If you pay anyone else to help you or to do your taxes for you, you can deduct any of these costs from your return. This is

Full Article…

Located in the Middle East, Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  It is also the name of the main city within the emirate of Dubai. 

The United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 by the then ‘Trucial States’ after their independence from Britain.  Initially Dubai’s wealth was built on its oil industry, but it has successfully diversified its economy so that today it has multiple strands supporting its fiscal strength – including tourism, real estate, financial services, health and education.

When talking about living and working in Dubai, the majority of the time we’re talking about the City of Dubai rather than the emirate as a whole.  This is where the majority of Britons base themselves in the emirate, and where they find work.  The City of Dubai is also the lifestyle hub for the entire region.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the ruler of Dubai, and together with Abu Dhabi the emirate has veto power over certain matters of national importance in the countrys legislature.  As a result of this, foreign buyers are allowed to own the freehold title to certain property in Dubai for example – this is not the case in all other emirates within the UAE.

This also means that Dubai has not been forced to make the likes of health insurance mandatory for all expatriate citizens – an obligation in the likes of Abu Dhabi for example.  And to date it has not put a cap on the number of years an expatriate can remain living and working in Dubai either – which is apparently going to become a restriction in Saudi Arabia for example.

Dubai has become an exceptionally popular choice for relocation with expatriates for a number of key reasons.  Firstly, before the emirate’s economic contraction which began circa 2008, Dubai’s was a booming economy where there were an abundance of employment prospects, and opportunity for strong speculation in the local property market abounded.

Many people made strong fortunes in Dubai, and even to this day it’s a centre of wealth and prosperity.  Britons who relocate long-term to Dubai can legitimately earn their salary free from income tax, and whilst the emirate’s heady days of constant economic expansion are over, for now at least, there are still jobs in Dubai in many employment sectors.

The other key reason why Dubai is so appealing to expats is because the lifestyle locally is exceptionally good, particularly for Western expats who benefit from a largely excellent climate, wonderful leisure facilities, a relatively laid back pace of life and good education and healthcare standards.

Sat, September 10, 2011 at 05:23 PM

Interesting article. I have learned a lot of new

Full Article…

Thousands of people are dealing with payments due with the help of payday cash advance; the fact that payday loans are generally affordable makes this particular financing option even better. Aside from the instant approval and low cost, there are a number of additional benefits you can enjoy when you decide to use a payday cash advance.

For starters, you don’t have to worry about repaying the loan or missing the payment date. Most payday cash advance lenders now automatically deduct the payment out of your paycheck when you cash it in; with the help of ACH transfer and direct debit, this auto repayment system is used by over 80% of payday cash advance lenders in the country.

Aside from being affordable, the cost of using payday cash advance is also very straightforward. Y Full Article…

The one thing you won’t hear expats complaining about in Dubai is the lifestyle!  The emirate as a whole has developed a strong tourism-based economy, and as a result the attractions and amenities on offer in Dubai are inimitable; and naturally all residents can benefit.

From a range of theme parks to private beach clubs, from incredibly opulent shopping malls to cinema complexes and an abundance of restaurants, Dubai really does have it all.

The first thing many British expatriates worry about is whether the emirate is dry however.  Well, the good news is that expats over the age of 21 are permitted to drink outside the home in licensed bars such as those in some hotels and private clubs for example, and they are allowed to have alcohol for personal consumption in the home as long as they have a liquor license.

Obtaining a license isn’t difficult.  You have two ways of going about it.  The first way is the easiest!  Your employer handles the application for you.  The second is that you do it yourself by going to one of the branches of the two dedicated retailers who are allowed to sell alcohol in Dubai, these are MMI and A&E (there’s an MMI at the Mall of the Emirates for example). 

You need to be non-Muslim and you will need to be able to prove that you are a resident in Dubai. 

Ask a member of staff or go to the till and ask for an alcohol licence application form.  When you complete the form it’s sensible to add your spouse’s name and details as well if you will both want to be able to use the licence.

You will need to take the completed application form to your employer to sign and stamp and then you can hand it back at any branch of MMI or A&E and they will process if for you through the police department.  You’ll need the usual passport copies, passport photos and copies of your residency visa too. 

If the requirements are not clear on the application form, just ask a member of staff who will advise you.

When you hand the form back at the shop, retain the tear off strip from the application form as you re-present this when you go to collect your licence.  When you hand your application in remember to ask how long it will take to process as times differ depending on the time of the year!  You will be charged around Dhs 200 for the processing of the application.

Once you get your licence back you’ll know how much alcohol you’re allowed to buy as this is restricted by the police department based on your salary and their discretion. 

For most people the limit is fine and manageable, but if you’re planning a party you will need to stockpile for a few months in advance! 

Alcohol prices in Dubai are high because alcohol is taxed at about 30%.  There is literally zero tolerance for drink driving – so don’t think you can get away with just a quick half before getting on the road.  If you’re stopped and caught out the penalties are high.  You’re not supposed to transport alcohol in a taxi or on public transport – and in theory you’re even supposed to have a license to be able to consume alcohol in a licensed bar.

In practice we’ve never heard of anyone being asked to provide a license – and as tourists can’t get a license (you have to be a resident) and they freely buy alcohol, although in doing so they are theoretically breaking the law, you can see why this particular rule is not enforced.

Beyond drinking, there is plenty more to do in Dubai.

If you like shopping there’s the annual Dubai Shopping Festival with its incredible events, competitions and prizes.  It takes place at the start of the year and includes all sorts of additional attractions such as impressive fireworks displays for example. 

For the rest of the year you can visit the malls – and whilst the shopping options in Dubai aren’t particularly exceptional, (they’re the same products you can buy anywhere in the world), the malls are worth visiting as many of them are attractions in their own right.

Take the Mall of the Emirates for example, it has it’s own indoor ski slope!  Then there will be the Mall of Arabia that’s purported to be opening in 2012 and which will feature a dinosaur park!  Or how about Souk Madinat Jumeirah with its waterways? Having shopped ‘til you’ve dropped, perhaps you’d like to have somet

Full Article…

Some Edmonton communities like Terwillegar Towne, Summerside and Windermere have “home owner association” fees. An HOA fee is usually a very small fee, usually around $100 – $200 per year but it can be more depending on what is all covered. The fee usually pays for maintaining extra things that the developer put in the subdivision that are over and above what the city of Edmonton required the developer to do. This is usually done to make the development more attractive to home buyers, but it’s not stuff the city of Edmonton is willing to pay to maintain. HOA fees may include maintenance of fountains, trails, recreation facilities, a community centre and so much more.

These associations or the agreements governing them are usually registered on title by way of a restrictive covenant.

Full Article…

Balance transfer can be an enticing process for you as here you’ll be able to combine your debts and make single affordable monthly payments on multiple accounts and climb out of debts soon. But every process has its flaws and benefits, this is not an exception. In order to make sure that you’re able to drag the most out of this method, you need to search for answers of certain queries.

Does the balance transfer card have sufficient credit limit?

You should not be in a hurry when you’re taking out a new line of credit. You must check whether or not, the balance transfer card you’re taking out has sufficient credit limit so that, when you transfer your obligations it won’t go over the limit. If it does, then it would affect your credit score as well as trigger your default interest rate.

What will be credit utilization range after you have transferred your balance?

Utilization of our credit limit will have 30% impact on your credit score. If the bala Full Article…

Once you’re an official resident in Dubai you can apply for your health card.  There’s talk that health insurance will be compulsory for expats in the emirate soon…but as yet any plans to make this move mandatory are on hold.  Therefore you should obtain your health card which entitles you to subsidised medical care at state facilities.

To get the card you can apply online via the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) website; first you create your patient ID and then log in to patient services where you can apply for your card which you can then collect from DHA health centres.  You can also renew your card online.

Alternatively you can download an application form and take it along to a DHA health centre and apply in person.  DHA health centres include Al Wasl Hospital, Rashid Hospital and Dubai and Hatta Hospitals.

Some expats have private health insurance provided by their employer as part of their remuneration package, others choose to fund their own health insurance payments to ensure they’re seen at the best facilities and they are able to effectively jump any queues for treatment.

Whist Dubai’s state medical services are of a high standard, they are over subscribed – which is why those who can afford to do so, go private.

According to the National Travel and Health Network and Centre, which is commissioned by the Health Protection Agency in the UK, expats in Dubai are potentially at risk of hepatitis A and B, rabies and tetanus, therefore you should seek personal medical advice from your GP before moving to Dubai to determine whether you should undergo a vaccination program. 

Most expats don’t bother however…but the official word is that you should at least consider your options.

In terms of staying healthy in Dubai, the sun is a very important factor to consider.  In the UK we see it so infrequently that when in a sunny nation we’re often guilty of over exposure.  Bear in mind that the temperatures in the middle of the day in Dubai in the peak of the summer can top 50 degrees centigrade…that is not a temperature the human body can easily deal with.

Respect the sun, respect the heat.  Some of the most common health complaints suffered by Dubai residents are as a result of excessive heat.  When travelling even short distances in your car ensure you have plenty of water on board in case you get stuck in a jam or break down, as dehydration is also a high risk.

Otherwise, despite screening all new residents, sexually transmitted diseases are present in Dubai.  Most expats prefer to drink bottled water; additionally be careful of food hygiene as dodgy tummies are very common in the emirate!