Today I visited my local neighborhood SSS. I had lost all my documents related to my former life here, and that includes my SSS number. If not for the China Bank officer asking for it when I opened a bank account I would not have even remembered about this. Anyways, after 12 years of not being here, and changing my name after marriage I have several application forms that need to be filed. However, when I get there, the only thing I was able to do was to file an application to lookup my SSS number. However, after filing it I found out that I would not be able to get it right away because they would send it to me by postal mail. Well! At least I tried. Hopefully I would get it soon.
Meanwhile, a bunch of questions popped up in my mind like for example payment of contributions. Now that I am a self-employed Filipino-American IT Consultant living in the Philippine I have no idea which country I should be paying social security taxes. Based on my talk with the lady and from my brief research, it seems that for self-employed here, SSS contributions are voluntary. However, upon looking at the US social security website I found out there are no bilateral agreements between the US and the Philippines. I have no idea what this means. I guess it means I have to pay social security to the US then? Well, this calls for a visit to the good old social security office. It’s good that they have a branch right here in Manila. I also need to go there to apply for a new card and change my last name. However these things I might as well postpone until I come back from my upcoming trip to the Netherlands because.. uhm.. I left my Social Security card over there, I think it helps a lot to have it when I apply. Darn! Anyways, the deadline for US filing for overseas people like me is still a few more months away.
5 responses so far ↓
1 reyna elena // Feb 12, 2009 at 6:19 pm
you’re back in manila for good na ba? also, do you know gene?
2 mixxy // Feb 13, 2009 at 1:34 am
yes for good sana
Yes I got to know Gene at work in PA .
3 Val Matador // Mar 2, 2009 at 7:48 pm
If you are a “filipino-american” I assume you are a U.S. citizen or have a green card. For U.S. tax purposes, you are subject to income tax on your worldwide (read – all) income. If you file a tax return and paid income taxes on your earnings in the philippines, you can claim a credit on it against your u.s. taxes. In addition to U.S. income taxes, you have to pay self-employment (i.e., social security/FICA) taxes at 15.3% on your net consulting income (pls do a search of FICA taxes or go to wikipedia for the same subject.)
Your case may not be simple so I suggest you seek a competent tax professional that is knowledgeable in U.S. taxes. Good luck.
4 zylla // Mar 8, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Lately I tried to resume paying my SSS, and on the follow-up process–I found the last five years I have from my latest employer before I left the country but lost the first 10 years of my working life. I don’t know if it’s something I would like to pursue searching.
Have fun…I think they have online procedures now to check your account. Not just sure as to the extent of what’s possible.
5 Ana Lariosa // Mar 18, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hi I was calling our Social Security Office in Dubai and I want to continue my SSS contribution but I can’t contact them. The phone was always busy. They said we have some benefits for OFW.
Please help me.
Regards,
Leave a Comment