Sakon Nakhon

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Tax Returns and Foreign Bank Account Report

Information listed here pertains to the USA.
Persons of other nationalities refer to your own government agencies for requirements.

Filing Your Taxes

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien residing overseas, or are in the military on duty outside the U.S., on the regular due date of your return, you are allowed an automatic 2-month extension to file your return and pay any amount due without requesting an extension (June 15). source

Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)

U.S citizens, resident aliens, and certain non-resident aliens that have an interest in specified foreign financial assets totaling more than $10,000 must report these accounts yearly source

FBAR filing is done online and can be completed in less than 10 to 15 minutes source

Additional reading

When Does a Senior Citizen on Social Security Stop Filing Taxes?

Minimum Income Requirements to File a Federal Income Tax Return

Unseasonably HOT

The week ahead is going to be hot, upper thirties, to low forties.

Feels like temperatures close to 43C (109F) for most of the week.

Unseasonably HOT and UV index 10 (EXTREME). Sunscreen highly recommended. Wear a hat, protect balding scalps.

Thai Meteorological Department: "During 28 Feb – 2 Mar, the high pressure from China will extend to upper Vietnam, Laos and the South China Sea after that it will lose strength. During 5-7 Mar, another high pressure will cover the upper Northeast and the South China Sea. This affects the strengthening southeast winds that bring the humidity from the South China Sea and the Gulf covering the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South. Thundershowers, as well as gusty wind, will be likely over the areas during both periods."

There is no rain system on the horizon. Thudershowers would be locally generated. If the humidity rises to a point that it feels like you are in a steam room, it's a good indicator of an imminent thundershower. Local outlook of a thundershower this weekend is 10%

If you are outdoors for any extended period remember heat rises, a wet, cold towel on your head or around your neck will help cool you down.
Hot spicy foods are also recommended. They cause you to sweat more, thus helping to cool you.

Night time temperature 3 am this morning 24C (at my house) with high humidity. Expect similar nighttime temperatures for the week ahead.

Expect air conditioned shopping malls to be crowded

Sakon Nakhon

Leonard Nimoy, Mister Spock of ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 83

Mekon River Ripples

During a trip last weekend to Mukdahan, we stopped along the Mekong river for lunch. Signs leading up to the area indicated "Rapids."

The most memorable natural high in my life was going rafting down some rapids in Washington state. It took a number of days to come down that natural high.

What I saw in Mukdahan were mere ripples. A good indication why there are no large barges or boats used for transportation of commercial goods for extended distances along the Mekong river.

The rapids are probably a bit faster during the rainy season, when all the rocks are under water
Construction in the area is an indication that a larger public park is in the works There are a number of restaurants in the area I felt a bit uneasy entering the dining areas, but they seemed quite sturdy