Hi Everyone, first post here

I am in the process of a possible internal work move. My family etc are very excited about the possibility of moving from London to Florida. However, I am looking to the answers to some early questions so we can do a bit more planning!

I have a salary figure, is there a definitive site that will give me an approx takehome figure?
I am expecting my company to sponsor my visa (we are a big corporate), how long roughly can that take, or is that down to them rather than the USGov?

Thanks in advance, hoping someone can clear these waters for me!

Phil

For take home pay, you can expect 65% of your salary. It'll depend on deductions - both mandatory and voluntary - but it's almost always in that ballpark area.


Generally speaking, for an L-1 visa (if, as you say, it's a transfer), probably 2-3 months... give or take! The majority of time will be taken by the company lawyers putting the application package together.

Ian

Thanks Ian, does that 65% still count when you consider there is no state tax in florida?

Our company has been relocating people for years, so i'd like to think a visa app would be relatively straighforward! (famous last words )

Remember, State tax is a minor deduction, so when you consider the higher rates of sales and property taxes, it's fairly accurate. What you gain on the roundabout...

You say you're 'expecting my company to sponsor my visa'. The truth is, they MUST apply for the visa. You can't do it yourself.

I believe it does, yes. The "no state tax" refers to state income tax. That's usually a small percentage of the federal income tax... but there are still federal income tax deductions, mandatory deductions such as a 401(k) retirement plan and your share of health care insurance, and voluntary deductions such as additional dental or vision insurance for family members. Like I said, it's a ballpark figure. Note, though, that there is still a 6% sales tax on most goods and services in Florida.

Ian

I agree with Ian and Guinalf - around 65% take home is a good rule of thumb. Because the US tax system is so complicated, and various things will impact your tax rate, it is almost impossible to get a precise number ahead of starting your job, and in deed if you compared your taxes with 100 colleagues I wouldn't mind betting that no two people suffer exactly the same percentage deductions.

Many people voluntarily add a little bit to the tax they pay every two weeks/half month, to be sure they have paid enough at the year end, and I do that as I like to get close to no bill/no refund as I can when I file my tax return.

If I pared down my deductions to the barest minimum (I consider health insurance costs to be effectively mandatory) I could probably get down to around 27% or deductions, but I have 401k (private pension) and Health Savings Account (HSA), not to mention life insurance premiums that bring my net pay down about another 10%.

Where in Florida? It is vastly different from one part to another, including in things like real estate prices, cost-of-living etc.

Well, thats that over then, my employer has decided they are currently not sponsoring Visas. Probably should of told me that a few weeks ago when they approached me regarding the opportunity idiot yanks

This is not mandatory.

This yank is glad you put in the winks

How did they expect you to legally work for them here? Especially as they have been "doing this for years". Surely they know the drill by now?

Just hope you didn't sell your house already...

No change from my end, but since the new US administration, the legal dept got a bit spooked about sponsoring L1 visas, temporary measure, but enough to make my move unfeasible in the next few months.

I would imagine that will be a handy excuse going forward.

Yep, reminds me of a few years ago when "credit crunch" appeared in every sentence attempting to justify a business decision. It's the new go-to excuse for reneging on promises: "proposed immigration reform".

Insurance used to be a common excuse, we would like to do this but....