Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Woden]

...could someone advise on what documents are needed to be tax-exempt at a public school?

I will be working the first year in Korea as a Briton in a public school and therefore will be tax-exempt, however, whenever I phone the tax office they are not sure what documents I need to prove it.

Could I get away with a standard P60 or P45 or do I need some thing more informative to get my tax-exempt salary?

Thanks

[fromtheuk]

i asked the tax office for a letter of residency, but it turned out i didn't need any letter because I would automatically be exempt from paying tax for the first 2 years in Korea.

check with your school to be safe.

this is my first year.

[mrsquirrel]

Same here

They just said your exempt after a few phone calls.

[crazy tigger]

Am I right in assuming it is just at public schools you are tax exempt or is this the case with hogwans too?

[nobbyken]

Just public schools I believe.
Done automatically as well.

Your only deductions will be Health insurance and Pension, combined should be less than 150k.
My school also deducts 10k for special meals after school some months, good value.
They also deduct 40k for lunch for the month, this is also great value.

Still less than 10% deducted, but they will take 300K per month as a security/housing deposit for the first 3 months. Think of it as an easy way to save 900K, which they give you back when you leave, on top of your severence.

[Woden]

Cheers for all the replies, seems fairly straight forward...

...I don't think that 900K deductions applies to all EPIK positions, it certainly wasn't in my contract. I thought it was just GEPIK that enforced that...?

Ta for all the help.

[nobbyken]

Yeah, your right. Gepik have that clauseprobably pays the landlord if the teacher doesn't see out the 1 year lease?

[dogshed]

My contract says I need the form before I start work.
I didn't notice and they waited a month before asking me.
One form from the IRS cost a big fee and takes a month
and a half. The other form was free, but probably the wrong
one. I got the free form and put it in my desk drawer.
I never gave it to the school.
They never asked about it again and I am still paying
no tax.

[icicle]