About JohnnyD

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Colombia: banking:

HSBC has branches in USA & Colombia but there are no US banks doing business in Colombia. HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Co) has its HQ in London. I believe Davivienda has a branch in Florida.

Colombia: Obamacare for Ex Pats:

Yes, per a spokesman to whom I posed the same question last year. To avoid a penalty, you must have coverage within the USA.

Colombia: Hotels in Santa Marta:

All flights to Santa Marta are from other cities in Colombia. All International flights will arrive in Bogota. Hotels vary in price, depending on "high" or "low' season and whether you stay in Santa Marta or Rodadero, the tourist side of Santa Marta. In the supermarket, a beer is about 0.65 Canadian. More, of course, in a restaurant, whose prices vary like the changing tide.

Colombia: tax exemption under law 1565:

It is for Colombians who have lived abroad for at least 3 years. For example, professionals who were employed for one reason or another in a foreign country.

Colombia: "yes, or No", need to make Colombian tax declarations?:

FYI . . . . The US has no tax treaties with any country in Central or South America. I cannot speak for any other countries in the world. The best any American can do is to offset US tax with a credit based on foreign earned income. Pensions, like dividend, interest, or capital gains, are not earned income.

Colombia: Colombian Customs:

Do you have your cedula or passport with a Colombian visa?

Colombia: Colombian Property Declaration:

For tax purposes, any US citizen or resident is required to report all worldwide income. You do not declare the value of property. Rental property (building and furnishings and appliances) must be depreciated and as business property, you report the capital gain or loss when sold. You cannot declare a loss on personal use property, such as your home. And there is a hefty exemption if you sell your home at a profit, esp. if it is joint property. Hope this helps. There have been other reports of how to report income to Colombian authorities, but I'd see a reputable Colombian tax accountant first.

Colombia: Kmart:

Walmart does not own Olimpica. That is a rumor several years old. It is an independently owned chain. SAO is also Olimpica.

Colombia: PUMPKIN PIE.. Medellin:

Good luck with the pie. I love to make and eat pies but they are not (yet) popular in Colombia. I have never seen a pumpkin in Bogota, let alone a can of pumpkin, which would be as expensive as a heart transplant. Colombia is big on cake, however. Pound cake & bunuelos, for example.

Colombia: Dollars:

Colombian ATMs dispense Colombian pesos. Some ATMs will scorch you with a transaction fee, such as Servibanca or HSBC in addition to what your home bank will charge for the conversion (my bank charges 1%). Why would you want dollars, which is not the national currency? You can trade pesos for dollars but you will lose a bundle in the process.

Date Joined:

11/28/2008

Total Posts:

71

Posts/Day:

0.02