Many thanks, vandsmith and PsyGuy, for your detailed replies. For the moment, at least, I will have to keep my residency and keep my sights on jobs in countries with tax treaties with Canada.

@vandsmith: While you were residents working in countries that held tax treaties with Canada, did you ever have to pay any differences in tax to Revenue Canada?

@PsyGuy: I will certainly heed your cautionary words about not putting all (or even the majority!) of my faith in a customer service rep at RC, but it seems, at least, that the potential hit when working in a country that has a tax treaty with Canada will be far less than going the non-treaty route. Don't think I want to do any fancy dancing with an accountant to try to get out of residency status, as that can turn into it's own special kind of nightmare! I remember seeing an article (here, or on the International School Teachers group on Facebook) about a couple who, after several years teaching in Asia, were challenged on their residency status and charged tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes. Wish I could track down the article for specifics, but can't seem to find it!

Thanks again, and have a great weekend!

Thanks, Overhere! As long as I can obtain a statement of income for tax purposes, I can sort out the documents.

And...yesterday must have been my lucky day - got through to Revenue Canada, and directly to a representative without even being put on hold! It seems as that long as I'm employed in a country which holds a tax treaty with Canada, I'll be considered a deemed non-resident - regardless of ties back home. Unfortunately, one of the places I'd love to be has no such agreement with Canada, but it looks like close to 100 others do!

Happy Monday!

Am hoping to find some Canadian ITs (or even one!) who might be able to help me with questions regarding tax obligations back home. As a homeowner and vehicle owner who plans to keep both, and as a a teacher who has the option of taking a two-year unpaid leave before having to resign, declaring non-residency is not an option. Have been trying to get through to Revenue Canada for over two weeks with no luck!

My questions are as follows:

Do ITs receiving tax-free salaries in countries that hold tax treaties with Canada still obligated to pay tax back home? My understanding is that Canada waives tax obligations only if tax is paid on behalf of the IT.

For ITs working in countries that do not hold tax treaties with Canada, how badly are Canadian residents hit by Revenue Canada?

Are schools (or is your school) generally supportive in preparing tax documents for their Canadian teachers?

And, on a more general note, are tax-free salaries really tax-free? Or, is this simply a term indicating that tax is paid on behalf of the teacher? Package details on Search vary, and Google doesn't seem to offer up what I need!

Many thanks for anything you may be able to offer!

Thanks, EA. Happy Friday!

@Education Oasis - was the salary you mentioned before or after tax?

Thank you all for the ongoing feedback. The school sent me out a copy of a contract and details prior to my interview which aligns with what's on Search. Now, the waiting game begins!

Congratulations, joanveronica!

Am thinking your new school might be the same place I'm about to apply to - the American one, currently building a new campus? If so, and if you're willing to share some information, can you have a peek in the Members' Section of the forum later today? Many thanks for considering!

Anyone have any knowledge as to whether or not TAISM has sponsored female teachers with non-teaching spouses? Is being employed by a school the only way around Oman's sponsorship regulations? The spouse in question would either be working remotely or back in his home country for a portion of the year. And no intent to hijack the post - I just thought that any responses received will benefit the original poster as well.

Apologies in advance to the moderating team - hoping this isn't considered evaluative in nature!

Many thanks for the time you've all taken to respond to my post - it's greatly appreciated!

As mentioned, savings potential has definitely been taken with a fistful of salt and I've not been paying particular attention to that section of schools' profiles. Instead, I've done some of my own research and contacted teachers with their feet currently on the ground in locations I'm considering. It's more the accuracy of salary, I guess. Have an interview on Tuesday with a school whose salary ranges on Search are considerably higher than those listed publicly on their website. The very basic math (adding what the school lists as salary plus the numeric value they attach to benefits) equals what Search has indicated as salary only. And while I don't want to be presumptuous in assuming I'll be offered the job, the honest truth is that the total package would have to be what's listed on Search for me to accept the position. Don't really want to talk money on the first date, but may have to ask for clarification at the end of the interview if it seems an offer will be on the table.

Thank you, once again!

In your experience, how accurate are salary and benefits packages listed on Search Associates' website'? I had assumed that benefits are in addition to the salary indicated, but a few postings seem to contradict what's made publicly available on the schools' websites. And while salary and benefits are just one part of the equation, they are still a consideration - particularly when it comes to what could be considered semi-hardship posts or locations.

Sorry PsyGuy, I have have to stand my ground on this one. First hand information from an ESL teacher at a "real" international school - Tier 1, in fact - that she is paid a bit more than halfway between what other teachers are paid and what the expat teacher assistants are paid. She is a fully certified teacher with an ESL qualification. The school simply has ESL teachers on a different scale. Same contact hours, perhaps less responsibility?

I'm referring to a British school, not sure if it makes any difference.

Although the majority of international schools pay their ESL/ELL teachers on the same scale as the rest of their teaching staff - not all do. Err on the side of caution and do your research.

For many ESL/ELL teachers in international schools at the elementary level, their role often involves co-teaching with a classroom teacher and working in breakout groups within the same classroom. Your teaching partner can have a great impact on how much you enjoy the experience. At best, it can be a rewarding collaboration that works toward meeting the linguistic needs of students. At worst, you can be viewed as a teacher assistant and simply directed to tasks the classroom teachers deems you should be facilitating. Middle School/High School is usually different and courses are often delivered based on a sheltered instruction model.

Good luck in your search!

Any idea as to the reputation that GEMS (or GEMS teachers) have with some of the Tier 1 schools in the UAE? Would working for GEMS eliminate the possibility of working for better schools in the UAE in the future? Just curious as a friend found herself in a bit of a rut trying to move into a Tier 1 to Tier 2 school in the same country, in spite of having spent a few years in Europe in between.

Is each school offering more or less the same salary/benefits?

I've heard good things about the place. The only words of caution I was given are regarding the "small aquarium" (not quite fishbowl!) experience.

@ Curitiba...is the change in package for the better...overall? How does it measure up to what was being offered in previous years?