Ben's Guide to Taipei and Taiwan

This is a very tasty and inexpensive Chinese restaurant. Their specialty is a spicy lamb dish served with either noodles or rice. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

Apparently there is more to Taoyuan than the airport and betel nut girls. I haven't been here, but it certainly looks nice in the pictures. It’s on the edge of a resevoir in DaXi township (大溪鎮), TaoYuan http://www.lakesidecoffee.com/Page1.html

This is a Japanese hot pot, sushi, and seafood restaurant. They keep bringing food until you are ready to burst, but it tastes so good you want to keep eating. The cost for dinner is NTD 500. The price includes coke and sprite, but beer costs extra. Taiwan Beer is available for NTD 80 per bottle. Located in the same building as The Living Room and across the hallway from the Brazilian BBQ Restaurant .

In order to be married in Taiwan and added to your spouse's household registry you will need documentation from your home country that you are eligible to marry (not currently married). This will vary by country. The process is very straight forward for Americans, since the US does not keep a central marriage registry. All that is required is a notarized sworn statement that you are eligible to marry. AIT can notarize this for you. For looking at your passport and stamping a document they charge USD $30, but you get a discount if they notarize a second document at the same time (this includes notarizing a duplicate document, which may or may not be required depending on who you ask). They have a sample Affidavit Regarding Marital Status document on their website. You will need to make an appointment online in order to have the affidavit notarized. Now take this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be authenticated. Once you have your documents in order, you need to bring them...

JB’s Bar and Restaurant 148 Shida Rd., Taipei (北市師大路148號) 02 2364 8222 They have a nice selection of beers including a locally made microbrew. They have a menu with pub food featuring some British favourties such as Bangers and Mash. The downstairs is non-smoking but is always deserted. The smokey upstairs has a bar and a projection TV. They are located just down the street from the Taipower Building MRT Station Exit 4.

If you've planned ahead then you have spent at least 183 days in Taiwan last year, so you know you will be getting a refund, because those first 6 months you are taxed at 20%. After reaching the the magic number, you qualify for a lower tax rate including a refund on the extra tax you paid in. For information on tax brackets check out Tealit or check out the Tax Administration's Official Site. Where you file your taxes depends on where you live (or where your ARC says you live). Attached is a list of tax offices. For Taipei City Residents , Taipei's Main Tax office is located within walking distance of the Ximen MRT Station at Zhonghua Rd. Sec. 1, No. 2 / 台北市中華路1段2號 on the corner of Zhongxiao W. Rd. The nearest MRT station is Ximen Station . Foreigner's service is located on the first floor on the left hand side . Be sure to bring your passport, ARC, tax statements, and bank book for direct deposit or a mailing address for notice by mail that your refund is ready. Fo...