Taxation of student grant?

[nerakrose]

I'm currently in Finland as an au pair and have intended to stay here to study. ATM I've got Plans A, B and C, but since application has not been opened yet, we'll see.

I have a few questions concerning studying.

1) Taxation of student grant. I will be receiving student grant from my home country that is taxable there, unless I have emigrated. I'm still eligible to the grant as a Danish citizen and provided the study is recognizable in Denmark, so no problem there. But does Finland tax student grants? I vent to vero.fi and used the tax calculator and it said they will tax me 17%, but I am unsure of whether this applies to Finnish student grant only or also foreign grants or whether I did something wrong. (In Denmark I will be taxed 42% so I'm not whining about the 17% but I'd rather avoid surprises.)

2) Pets. I am aware of that if I seek student housing within TOAS or KOAS or the like, no pets are allowed in the apartments. I really want to have a cat with me, so I considered seeking housing from a non-student organisation. Does anyone know of some 'general' rule about having pets in flats? Or should I maybe forget about the cat and go for the student housing (as it is supposedly cheaper)?

3) Rent of flat/room without spending time there... yes that sounds odd. One of my plans include studying in London (that includes exchange in Finland) and I am toying with the thought of renting something small and cheap here in Finland while I am in London. I'd like to make visits to Finland frequently and it would be nice to avoid hotels and rather have a place of my own. Also considering that I am planning to stay and study/work in Finland and I don't want to lose touch with the friends I have here, this sounds like a good idea to me. I am just wondering whether there is some rule about not occupying the flat/room although the rent is being paid?
(Of other alternatives I have thought of co-renting a flat with a friend here in Finland that she'd be living in.)

4) I assume that when I move from my current address, I will have to go to the maistraatti and fill out some forms or something. When I left Denmark I had to fill out an E 109-form as my permanent residence changed to Finland. If I go to London I assume I will have to get a new E 109, but if I get into a university in Finland, the address change will only be local. Where should I announce an address change?

I think that was all. I hope some of you people can help me with some of the questions.

[Pursuivant]

1) yes, probably, but there might be some loopholes... see now as you're Nordic there might be some interesting agreements
2) forget the cat and go with TOAS
3) do it with the friend
4) maistraatti - the post-office has a paper - the post-office is irrelevant, they deliver your mail - you live in the computer. same if you move to London you must inform the maistraatti (as if you ever come back to Finland you already exist)

[Rabs]

1. some info is given in this link http://www.nordisketax.net/main.asp?url ... asp&s=1&m=
excerpt:
"You may be liable to tax on your state educational grant in the country in which you are studying under the rules applicable in that country. However, Denmark has entered into double-taxation treaties with a large number of countries, which means that the country in which you are studying will refrain from taxing grants etc. which students receive from Denmark to cover living expenses and expenses incidental to their studying or education. When you decide to study abroad, you should find out whether Denmark has an agreement with the country in which you are intending to study and whether you will be covered by the provisions concerning students.

You can ask the tax authorities in your municipality of residence or click on double-taxation treaties."

2. i see so many dogs and cats running here and there in student apartments especially in family apartment. single room might create a problem as it it stated in hoas website http://www.hoas.fi/webV2/ase_inetV2.nsf ... enDocument you should contact concerned student apartment as and when you get admission

3. just say that you are on vacation if anyone gives a !"#¤%. anyway, who gives a !"#¤% when you are paying the rent. just make sure you get important mails such as renewal contracts etc.

4. local maistratti, just notify them of change of address. you can do it online as well. the link is http://www.posti.fi/changeaddress/

[nerakrose]

So it looks like I'll forget about getting the cat. :/ oh well, it'll be stressing for it to be moved due to exchance, etc. so I better wait. Some things are still a bit unclear to me, but at this point there's nothing else to do but to contact the instances in question.

Thank you for the help. It has been very useful.

[raamv]

At least you got your priorities right!!

[nerakrose]

At least you got your priorities right!!

haha! well yeah. I do really want a cat though. :/

[Pursuivant]

yes well who of us wouldn't want to stroke a pussy... but get the "stuff organized" if you land in a studio or share with someone who doesn't mind a cat... though as you know those student boxes are "boxes" so I'd call that animal cruelty keeping a cat in a 2x3 room..,

[nerakrose]

Yeah I know. I wouldn't do that to a cat and especially not when I know exchange is compulsory in my studies. I wouldn't be able to take it with me or leave it behind. Maybe I'm a bit too romantic on the cat subject. >.<

[stephanikaathur]

How does taxation differ from common theft? Bias/agenda alert: I think that they are much the same. My intention is to influence people reading this question to critically consider the question and the implications of its answers. I hope that others who already agree with my point of view to express their opinions but also expect and welcome people critical of my view.
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