News: Life in USA for NRIs

November 21, 2017, 12:04 am

Hello all,
NRIs (Non-Residents Indians) life is full of excitement. When ever an Indian move to the different country, He/She has to maintain some legal points to become an nri. And to work in the different country. Developed country USA is that country where most of Indians wants to go. And they get their life in USA. Their are many Indians who are settled and want to be settled in USA. But at the moment when they want any help they contact their family. Because they have trust on their family. But sometimes.... Some problems are difficult to get solved by their family also.. For Example - Buying or Selling of property, Getting Birth-Certificate or any type of Certificate, Paying income tax or if he or she wants to get married an Indian Woman or Man etc. Their are many more needs and difficulties which an NRI can face and these are those problem which can not handle by your family only. There are many companies and many agencies who commit to help nris. For Example - Germany mantra.com, NRI Assistance Services, NRI Legal Services and many more if you will google it you will find many of Assistance agencies or companies.
For a Brief - NRI Assistance Services is an Indian company. Who help nris if they want anything from India. www.nri-assistance.com is the site of that NRI Assistance. Which is not so impressive. But it is made by an nri. The person who have traveled the world. And he knows what are the needs of those Indians who are living in other country..

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Why more groping cases of men?

November 21, 2017, 6:39 am

≫ Next: Opinion: AirBnB in India?

≪ Previous: News: Life in USA for NRIs

The way things are unravelling every Tom, Dick (all because of this guy :)) ) and Harry is a groper and sexual abuser. Around 50% in this planet are men and 50% are women. Still why we hear overwhelmingly cases of men groping? Women are underrepresented. :wink Why there is so much disparity in groping/sexual abuse cases w.r.t gender.

Is it because
women don't have that urge?
Women are naturally disciplined and ethical?
Men are ugly?
There are not many women in power position to take advantage of men?

Any other reason? What do you think? Will be interesting to hear from the women in the forum.

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Opinion: AirBnB in India?

November 21, 2017, 9:57 am

≫ Next: Using HELOC to pay down your mortgage

≪ Previous: Why more groping cases of men?

Is AirBnB common in India? Has anyone invested in a property for the sole purpose of renting it our on AirBnB?
Many of my friends (in the US) have invested in properties in vacation-friendly areas & rent them out on AirBnB.

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Using HELOC to pay down your mortgage

November 22, 2017, 9:44 am

≫ Next: Adivasi children education

≪ Previous: Opinion: AirBnB in India?

I used to get spammed by lot of Ads claiming that you can pay down your mortgage faster. Since it had all the symptoms of spam and scam.. I did not review it. But anyways I decided to look at it and seems compelling.
Looks like it can use inefficiencies in our investment to reduce our debt. It works like this Mortgage is amortized and hence interest is front loaded assume you have 500K loan and are eligible for 200K home equity line of credit. You borrow 200K and pay down 500K to 300K...You will be paying less interest in home mortgage. Use HELOC as checking account and have yours paycheck go there and spend from there. So the money that is sitting idle is actually saving you interest because HELOC is calculated based on daily balance. Assume u have FD yielding 1% -2% since can yield more and still provide liquidity.

HELOC interest is likely higher than Mortgage but not amortized. Less balance you keep less interest you pay.

Has anybody reviewed this and are doing this. Please share your experience.

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Adivasi children education

November 24, 2017, 4:29 am

≫ Next: News: SFI Affiliates - JOB POSSIBILITY

≪ Previous: Using HELOC to pay down your mortgage

Hi folks

My childhood friend is cycling a 1000 kms in the Nilgiris to raise funds for a good cause. Please see if you can help too.

https://milaap.org/fundraisers/t2017fn

Hyd

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News: SFI Affiliates - JOB POSSIBILITY

November 25, 2017, 4:18 pm

≫ Next: R2I Dilemma: Return to India

≪ Previous: Adivasi children education

Hello to all,

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One of the things I really love about SFI is that there's never any purchase or sales requirements. Most companies have to have such requirements...or there would be no sales. But with SFI, there's so much good stuff going on that sales, success, and commissions just flow naturally! And because SFI provides such outstanding training and tools, it doesn't matter if you have any experience in marketing or not. You simply need to plug in to their proven system and go to work.

SFI's e-commerce store, https://www.tripleclicks.com/18268227, is a big part of it. It is one of the fastest growing and most popular e-commerce sites on the Web today. And starting from your very first day as an SFI affiliate, you can share in the profits of EVERY sale at https://www.tripleclicks.com/18268227. Over 90,000 products from all over the world, 24-hour penny auctions, and a variety of great online games are just part of what makes TripleClicks so special. TripleClicks has something for everyone--and that makes online selling both lucrative and fun!

But the best part about SFI is that they're only scratching the surface of what they're likely to become during the next 10 years. Their potential is off the charts! And that's why I invite you to join my SFI group today and start sharing in the fun and profits. Remember, there are no required costs EVER...and there's no obligation.

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Thank you and I hope to hear you've joined my team soon. REGISTRATION LINK https://goo.gl/emd6er

Best regards,

Siljak

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R2I Dilemma: Return to India

November 26, 2017, 2:41 am

≫ Next: Help: QUALCOMM offer process

≪ Previous: News: SFI Affiliates - JOB POSSIBILITY

Hi All,

I have read many forums, spent a long time thinking, but scenarios for each are different. Following is my situation
Please share your advice and thoughts.

Living in US since 2 yrs, have a 5 year daughter, wife is a home maker. I am an IT Consultant on L1A
I have both my parents living in Bangalore, my younger married sister supporting them
Had purchased a plot earlier on my saving and had plans to build a house on return. Now have sufficient funds to build house.
A year before, i got a offer from my company to apply for GC, with no second thoughts, i just applied. Considering that this is a golden opportunity, let it come then we will see.
It is been a year, this time have got RFE, but sounds like if i respond to this RFE, i will get through.
My Dilemma/options
a) Dont respond to RFE and let it get rejected and return back. Go as per the earlier plan, return and build house, Start schooling for kid as this is right age. This way i will not regret later that i had GC but i returned, this later will become one factor not to return.
b) Respond to RFE, get GC, get USC and then return, as you would have options, if you want to come back, but by that time my kid would be 11-12 years, not sure if it is right time to return
c) Continue to stay after USC, settle here
d) Let spouse and kid, return and study there and i proceed with GC and USC, this did not work, as my spouse did not want this

Reasons to move
Parents, Living together, build house (this was my dream), Kid would learn better, Emotions

Reasons to Stay
getting GC in EB1 is quicker, (i always think, why did i get this opportunity, should i just ignore ?, as i see others struggling to get this and there is a long queue), i may not get this again.
Peak in career, get most of it. Earning, opportunities

Thanks

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Help: QUALCOMM offer process

November 26, 2017, 3:32 am

≫ Next: Does Roku work in india

≪ Previous: R2I Dilemma: Return to India

Hi all,

I gave 4 rounds of interview for QUALCOMM,Bangalore in the month of october 2017, after a week i received a mail stating "QUALCOMM ONLINE APPLICATION FORM- OFFER PROCESS" in which the HR asked me to create an account in their job portal.Its been one month since i got that mail.HR did't respond properly when i contacted them regarding the status of the offer process. so should i assume that i am selected, but as of now the offer is on hold.

Any one with a similar experience,if so did you receive the offer later?

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Does Roku work in india

November 26, 2017, 9:13 am

≫ Next: Which is your Favorite subject?

≪ Previous: Help: QUALCOMM offer process

I am planning to visit india and would like to take Roku (bought in US).

My son only needs youtube and PBS kids apps in there. We don't use Netflix / Hulu or others.

Would Roku Express just work in india as a plug and play with the WiFi there?

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Which is your Favorite subject?

November 27, 2017, 3:18 am

≫ Next: Investments in India for USC living in US or India

≪ Previous: Does Roku work in india

hi..

I am Raji. My favourite subject is Maths. I would like to know which is your favourite subject.

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Investments in India for USC living in US or India

November 27, 2017, 10:33 pm

≫ Next: Namma Bengaluru-- A boring City??

≪ Previous: Which is your Favorite subject?

i am getting completely contradicting information on this subject from CA doing taxes in USA and financial planner in India.

my US based CA says
" stay away from mutual funds in India as these have high tax implications for US TAX residents. As US citizen you will still be US tax resident if you stay in india and there is complex reporting requirements around that"

my Indian planner says

"not all fund houses are open to accepting money from USC and US residents so they recommend I do the investments on my wife's name since she is USC and currently back in india. even if both of us have OCI. but they don't see any issue in investing in equity and debt funds keeping in mind some tax implications".

my questions are

1. Are both of them correct or partially correct?

2. I am not well verse in tax implications due to investment in these funds. should I did this or do something different?

3. I target to come back to india by end of next year.

4. what is the tax implication if I any looking at this as long term investment. is it taxes only if I sell in short term?

appreciate any guidance on this topic.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

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Namma Bengaluru-- A boring City??

November 28, 2017, 11:09 am

≫ Next: Parents unwell in India - what should I do? r2i? feeling helpless.. please help

≪ Previous: Investments in India for USC living in US or India

So happened to be in Bangalore for two days… You can call this is my first visit to the city. Also got small glimpse of southern culture by visiting this city. Well generally they says when you visit someone's home even if you don’t like it you should appreciate. But what the hack for me it was totally boring place! I had a very different mental impression about this Silicon Valley of India-- like bustling/happening city and very lively people.

Now don’t get me wrong idea is not to bash this city. I can bash my own city much more than Bangalore. We can start from my own neighbor who has 7 German cars and now I know horn of each car without even looking at his car. That bugger entire family honk so servant can come out and pick the grocery bag, tiffin box, school bags, briefcase and what not.

But anyway primary reason for not liking this city could be can’t associate with quietness and the culture. And my observation of the city is for very limited area-JP Nagar- Jaya Nagar Mkt. And I am directly comparing this city with loud city Ahmedabad, which is approximately 60% of Bangalore.

My few random observation as an outsider for this city…

First observation while coming from Airport to main city, guys are peeing on side of the road. May be they took Swatch Bharat concept literally by watering side of the roads. I thought that’s Delhi culture. (Near ITO you will see big line). Surprised to see that in Bangalore. ( Must be NI guys)

Open Drainage!! What the hack! This city has been discussed so much by world Media and I am sure many visitors from Western county must be visiting here and I found open Drainage at many place. I have only seen open drainage in small town of Gujarat and that to many years back, so I was not expecting open drainage system in city like Bangalore.

Now this one hit me hard—Quietness. At lease place I was staying was a nice apartment which had a swimming pool, playground Gym etc. But my cousin 10 year old daughter had no one to play. ( May be all kids were busy in preparation of JEE) No one knows anyone! Once you come out of apartment on common area you have to keep your tone down. And this apartment had a mix gentry. In parking no one says high hello when you are staying in same building. Any home improvement work can be done only between 9 to 5 and no weekends. Opposite to that in Ad when I opened my wife closed apartment, entire building came to know that I have opened Apartment! And tea-coffee-snack was served by different neighbors. My guess this could be because of mix population in Bangalore and not able to established sense of community due to different cultures.

Roads are narrow. I heard lot about Bangalore traffic. But primary reason could be around this residential area is narrow roads. I found roads to be very narrow compare to Ahmedbad. And that could be the main reason for this chaos. Now compare to Bangalore Ahmedabad traffic is haphazard. But relatively wide road moves traffic and parking is not a big issue, where I can see parking in this area was a big issue. Especially Shops in middle of residential area may be creating more issue. Surprisingly road near Sri Sri Ahsram was like a small village Road. If that is an outskirt of city I was expecting at least 4 lane roads with divider.

Dull city—Now I am sure around IT park and near that Vijay Mallya (Road/Mall whatever) must be happening place. But this place was kind of dead in late evening. In Ad you go in any area you can see traffic on main road till 11.30-12.00 easily. Many eatery place are open till 3 to 4 AM. For e.g we went to some coffee shop around 10-10.30 in Blr and one was closed and second one was about to close. In Ad I went for tea around 1.30 near my home and 50 ppl were sitting at tea stall. And around 5.30 in morning you find people visiting Tea Stall-That include girls with BF- Other Friend etc). May be more good for nothing ppl in Ad compare to Blr.

Religious/ Traditional Culture. – Not criticizing but this is general observation. It appears ppl in south are much more religious. I found so many temple and in area. It appears God worship or visiting temple is part of their daily routine. So many guys were selling flowers in morning. Even Marriages are taking place in Temple. Also saw women with lots of Gold Jewelry. That tells Dowry still exist and guy in Google or Microsoft in US must be fetching good money form Girl’s Dad. Speaking of temple I think Brahmins are consider kind of Elite in this part of India. Somehow I sense that but I could be wrong. Like in temple Brahmin make and serve food, one restaurant of MTR I heard Brahmin serve food. I also so few Brahmin family in one of the MTR and you can sense they try to act little differently. I by myself is Brahmin but no one give a damn to us in Gujarat. Even someone one was cooking for me at my home was from lower caste of UP.

Also found strong sense of preserving their language and culture. Only one board at Airport I found in Hindi. I heard on Metro people objected anything to be written in Hindi. Now I don’t understand what’s a big deal about that. When city is on global print many ppl form other part of India will visit your city so at least few basic sign should be in Hindi. My mantra is If Swahili getting business then write everything in Swahili.

Now What I like in city, lots of Trees and Parks! And weather. We miss this big time in Ahmedabad. There is no concept of Public park in Ahmedbad. I also found footpath relatively empty with no street shopkeeper in undesignated area. In Ahmedabd you will find tea stall- pan Shops food stall on almost every footpath. Side walk was relatively free of this all nuisance. Safely wise I can’t comment much because Ad is probably safer than Bangalore but what I heard let’s say you forgot your bag in Cab-Scooter etc very likely it will be at same place and no one will touch that.
City is much better than any NI city. And I must say my views from very limited observation during my short visit. Though According to my cousin he failed to make good friends in local because that acceptance is not there. Ending up having friends circle of NI-Gujju guys only.

On lighter note they still consider Gujju & Marvari are same. They are not. In business Marvari beat Gujjus. Gujjus are big spenders and Marvari are not. And yes Gujjus are not always behind your money. Probably first time in Bangalore history one Gujju shell out Money for Kannada--While coming from Airport in Airport-Bus, one young girl forgot or lost her purse. Everyone in bus were busy on their laptop and phone, I always like to observe people and I saw this girl visibly tense… Came to know her situation and paid for her ticket…. That was a nice Welcome!!

I think member Rbee is visiting both cities frequently so she could shed more light on my comparison and correct me.

Anyway —Namma Bengaluru-- A good City but not for me....

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Parents unwell in India - what should I do? r2i? feeling helpless.. please help

November 29, 2017, 6:16 am

≫ Next: Inherited Property Sale Proceedings to USA

≪ Previous: Namma Bengaluru-- A boring City??

About me:

Im close to 40 years, with my wife and with 2 children middle school, and pre-k ages.
I work in tech and bring decent salary in USA.
We have a Green Card. Probably in next 2 years, I should get citizenship.
My wife is starting to build a professional career just now, with minimal income. In India she will stand no chance.

My parents, brothers family:

My parents (both mid-60s) stay in Bangalore. My parents run a shop(business) along with my brother (who is married with kids). They dont have any significant assets in India.
My parents are not in good terms with my brothers family. My brother has moved out and lives separately in the same locality. My parents dont spend any joyful time with my brother. My dad sometimes says, that they live like orphans in India.
My brother has asked my dad to not come to the shop. So, my father has stopped going to the shop and has nothing to do most of the day. My dad just provides backup to my brother, as needed to run the shop.
My brother, dad are not very successful in their business. They bring middle class income.
We dont have any significant assets (like property) in India.

Mothers stroke and situation:

My mom had stroke in 2014. My dad has become the sole caregiver for my mom since then.
Luckily my moms stroke was not severe, she can manage short walks, but has put on a lot of weight since her stroke.
I find that my mom and dad have almost given up in life. They dont socialize anymore, and live in poor, unclean living conditions.
Despite my suggestions to improve their living conditions, they refuse to do so, suggesting that every other option would be worse for them.
My mom has stopped cooking anymore. They buy food from nearby hotels from morning tea, breakfast to dinner. Of course hotel food is not healthy.
The only thing that they seem to enjoy anymore is eating food. My brother doesnt bring food to my parents due to poor terms between them.
I feel that their health is deteriorating in last few years. Im worried that my dad might have a depression.
Ive been in a semi-depression since my mothers stroke. I feel helpless and feel sad for my mom and dad.
Im unable to focus on work, and worried that Im going to be a drag my mostly optimistic wife and kids due to my problems. My performance has become poor at work. My good work in the past at my office, is helping me out to cross this phase.
Im the main bread winner in US, therefore my family cannot afford for me to go through depression.

How can I help:

Ive contemplated about returning to India for good to live with my parents, but worried that it will be at the expense of my career, my wifes career and kids education. Returning to India is such a huge step, that Im afraid and cannot make a rational decision. I feel that it is not a right decision to return to India and put my wife and kids into a difficult life. I dont have enough money, nor ancestral property to take such a huge gamble.
My mom doesnt want to come to US. It is cold over here during most of the year. Moreover, given her health condition, she doesnt want to travel to US. Im also afraid about how to take care of her health in US given health care is so expensive is US.

Please give me some advice. Talk to me about your situation and help me rationalize my situation better..

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Inherited Property Sale Proceedings to USA

November 30, 2017, 2:18 pm

≫ Next: Opinion: Schools in Bangalore for 5th grade & 2nd grade

≪ Previous: Parents unwell in India - what should I do? r2i? feeling helpless.. please help

Both my parents (Iam the only child) passed away long time ago and i have now decided to sell these inherited properties in India.
At this point of sale, Iam an India Citizen (N400 - Application for US Naturalization/Citizenship Pending at this time).
#1. What/How do i report these $'s to IRS during the time of tax returns.
#2. Is there any Inheritance Tax that needs to be paid either in India or here in USA?
#3. Any other tips/suggestions to handle this situation

Thank You for your time.

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Opinion: Schools in Bangalore for 5th grade & 2nd grade

November 30, 2017, 6:18 pm

≫ Next: Shipping from NJ/NY to Pune

≪ Previous: Inherited Property Sale Proceedings to USA

What are some of the good schools in Bangalore with a focus on academics and a bent on Indian culture (not really looking for International Schools). We are looking to r2i after a 12 year stay in US.

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Shipping from NJ/NY to Pune

December 1, 2017, 9:30 am

≫ Next: Responsibility of digital citizens in online discussions

≪ Previous: Opinion: Schools in Bangalore for 5th grade & 2nd grade

We have planned to move in May 2018 to Pune India. Would like to looking for a container to share.

If any one want to share the container.. Please let us know.

Thanks.

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Responsibility of digital citizens in online discussions

December 3, 2017, 9:43 am

≫ Next: Transfer of Residence claims within 8 months span

≪ Previous: Shipping from NJ/NY to Pune

When trolls turn every discussion into meaningless ones, what is acceptable behavior?

- Ignore as it is counterproductive and participate only in few discussions
- Turn it into meaningful by countering the ill-informed opinions
- Display your inherent human kindness, so allow them to express but you have finite time and trolls may not have restriction of time, so this would risk wrong opinions to flourish
- Just withdraw and stop participating completely

I usually ignore or hold back but wanted to know what is expected from digital citizens?

Note: Read an opinion piece thought along similar lines.

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Transfer of Residence claims within 8 months span

December 4, 2017, 12:57 pm

≫ Next: Stocks: Trump Tax plan : Effect on stock market and individual stocks

≪ Previous: Responsibility of digital citizens in online discussions

Hello Experts,
We are running into a tricky situation [personal] wherein we have to ship our stuff in 2 parts 8 months apart. Would we be able to claim TOR for me and my wife independently. Is that possible.

From govt websites - I could find the below

"As long as the visa and job status are identifiably independent, and the fact that husband and wife are returning to India separately, the duty free entitlements of each passenger will be available to you. However, for certain benefits like the Transfer of Residence, being one family your total entitlements for duty concession gets restricted to Rs 1.5 lac only"

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Stocks: Trump Tax plan : Effect on stock market and individual stocks

December 5, 2017, 10:29 am

≫ Next: Need to appease Israel

≪ Previous: Transfer of Residence claims within 8 months span

In light of reduced corporate taxes under the new tax plan, what characteristics of companies should we invest our money in the stock market?

For e.g.

Based on their area of work - Industrials vs Tech vs Finance?
Based on how much taxes they pay currently in the US?
etc. etc

Finally:
Names of individual stocks that will benefit specifically due to the Trump tax bill?

Disclaimer:We all understand these are opinions, so people will use this discussion with their own individual judgement.

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Need to appease Israel

December 6, 2017, 5:38 am

≫ Next: Shipping to Hyd from Chicago

≪ Previous: Stocks: Trump Tax plan : Effect on stock market and individual stocks

Why is there a constant need to appease Israel? I can understand supporting them from the nutjobs in the middle east.

Jerusalem is an important place for 3 religions. Israel annexed the Jerusalem against the wishes of UN. Why solidify that action?

Why not let it remain a neutral place? The latest move will create heartburn for a long time to come, which only means more unrest and more violence.
The strength of a nation does not come from flexing its muscles but using its wisdom to solve world problems.

This is not about Trump but US-Israel in general

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