Korean Job Discussion Forums

fleart1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2005

I am working outside Chungwon for about 9 months. My boss and everybody suddenly changed fiercely and won�t speak to me??? They leave the heat in my office on overnight and turn it off when I arrive. I tell them but they pretend they don't understand. This all started when a new principal started. He has even murmured white boy when I passed his office. Well that's background, I will put more in couple months. Anyhow,
I signed a contract that says my income is tax free now they come to me and say I must sign a form saying I will pay either 17% tax to the US or pay taxes on 70% of my income? I am afraid to sign anything now let alone give them my SS number. The embassy as usual doesn't know anything except it doesn�t sound right. The IRS and Korean tax agencies have not responded to my emails. Can anybody tell me what is going on?
Thanks

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

Your income is not tax free no matter where you are from. If you are from the U.S. then you can calculate your taxes and file a tax return after January 19th 2006, by choosing from many online programs. at www.irs.gov.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Captain Courageous · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Location: Bundang and loving it

Yeah, someone's trying to cheat.

And wylies99, I wouldn't mind being MISTER Grace Park, either.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

There must be more to this story....

fleart1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2005

Fresh prince,
Yea, I have been to mideast and the tax was for under 80.000usd BUT aren't I responsible for Korean tax?? My last Korean employer took it out. Also, if I am fired I have heard that the employer must supply transportation back to the US. I was here when he hired me and he got away with only 300.00 moving expenses. Probably why he doesnt care ab out his investment in me.

fleart1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2005

Yea, that is what I want to know, what the heck is going on. The story is that a RACIST principal took over the school and my best friend that I hiked with and ate dinner with dozens of times , for no reason started avoiding me. The principal would jeer and mumbling white boy when I would pass his office. (I am 50 with masters + enough for 2 PhD's, not a white boy) and now the vice principal wont talk to me. He pretends he cant understand me though we had a strong friendship for 7 months before the new principal arrived.He does exactly what the new principal tells him to do. It really blew my mind. Its called racism, family, new management, whatever you want to call it. Chungwon and Pusan are the most prejudice places in S.Korea.
I am concerned with the taxes. What is he trying to do? Can anyone tell me , please.

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

Don't sign anything. It's B.S

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I'm pretty sure you can't sign a contract saying you don't have to pay taxes. Maybe you can say something like the school will pay for them, but to have it state that you're not going to pay them is illegal. And before someone shouts out, contract law does not supersede taxation law. Just b/c it's in your contract doesn't mean it's legal if it violates other laws.

Just tell the principal that you will happily pay Korean tax as it should be and they are not at all responsible for your taxes in your home country. It's none of their business and that's that.

KPRROK

rvintage · Joined: 05 Jul 2005

Agreed, home taxes are NONE of their business.

And you can go down to your local tax office and settle your Korean taxes there. Most of the time schools don't pay your tax anyway, this way you can be sure it is going to the government and not into their slimy pockets.

DON'T SIGN ANYTHING! SCAM!

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Just do your time and be ready to leave after the contract. I would not mention anything and just do your time. You are past the 6 months mark and they can't just fire you. Do the job well and get out when you can. They will stop asking for documents to be signed and just wait it out. If they just take the money from the salary then you have a reason to fight. Ignore them.

fleart1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2005

well I have 15 weeks left and after vacation 13 weeks of class. If I don't get fired I definitely will leave. Another question though, I heard that if you are fired that the employer must pay your way out of the country to your home. Is that true?

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

True..technically. It can be hard to make them do what is right. Use the labor board if they screw you over and fight for what you deserve. Be prepared to stay a little while after you finish..just in case.
Koreans are good at just leaving things unsaid and undone. They will probably just leave you alone for a while now. They may bring it up again but I would just never get around to doing what they want. As you get closer and closer to the finish date they lose more and more power to screw you.
Be calm and quit and do not get into any big fights with the Korean teachers or principal. Be a ghost...do what you have to do and do not bother talking to the K-teachers (a.k.a Backstabber Gang). BE very careful what you say...to anyone.

fleart1 · Joined: 04 Nov 2005

One more thing. When this new principal got here about 2 months ago they had me sign a new policy letter. (exclusive of the contract) The new policy stated that I had to ask for vacation leave 15 days in advance (no problem) AND that I must tell them where I am going on vacation. Have you ever come across anything like that? Also, I was thinking of making a complaint that the new principal is a racist to the labor board, any thoughts on that?

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

Just tell them you are going overseas. That is a place and it doesn't say you have to list countries. Just say "I'm going outside of Korea." That satisfies where you are going without being at all invasive.

KPRROK