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Americans at Emirates, the tax and the culture shock thread

Emiratesamberdxb17 Aug 2026 · 2 replies · 651 views
  1. #1

    Texas to Dubai three years ago. For Americans considering it: yes you still file US taxes, the foreign earned income exclusion covers most crew salaries so you owe little or nothing, but you must file. Culture shock: the roster, the shared flat, the lack of a car for a while. Best things: no tax, the network, the crew from everywhere. Ask me anything.

  2. #2

    The filing point is the one Americans miss. A friend at Emirates got a letter from the IRS after three years of not filing.

  3. #3

    Yes. File every year even if you owe zero. It takes an hour.

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