Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ohia]

I searched the forum for this topic, but after reading a few threads I ended just as confused as before, so I'll post my own:

I guess my situation is a bit different than usual. I'm teaching French in a hagwon (I'm from Quebec), working on a C4 Visa. Our boss don't trust her employees and don't want to give us full-year visas! So when I'll come back to Canada, my passport will be filled with a few C4 visas (well, I get to go to Japan for free every 3 months, so that's fine).

Anyway, I'm officially a "French book writer". On the "contract", which I used to apply for a visa and was stupid enough not to print before handing it, I got some kind of fixed salary per month, like 2.5millions, for fixed working hours. Well, I'm actually paid by the hour to teach in the most messed up scheduling I've ever seen, not to write books. Never seen anything that looked like a contract. For sure there's a scam with the company or something, but as long as I'm paid for my work I don't care much about it.

Now, I'm wondering, what documents do I need for the taxes in Canada? I just write 0$ as non-resident when I'll fill my form and it should be fine? I actually went back to B.C. for 2 months last March to do some tree planting, and might do it again next year if it doesn't screw up my non-resident status for the rest of the year.

I assume I am not paying taxes in Canada because I am a resident of Korea paying taxes here; but in a case where I should be asked to prove I've ever paid taxes here, how can I prove it, I don't even know myself how my boss handles it... Would any kind of official paper from her saying "this employee is being paid that much, and that much % goes to the Korean government" be fine?

any help on "what to do to make sure you don't give a dime to and don't get trouble from the canadian government once you get back" would be appreciated...

[jlb]

Wow...do you really think that any of us English teachers on here can answer this. I think it'd probably be confusing even for someone from the tax agency! Phone the government.

[ohia]

ok, maybe I made it too long. Basically:

1) I don't want (and should not anyway) pay taxes when I get back to Canada. Right now, all I want is to make sure it'll be fine when I go back. My concern is:

2) I don't have any official paper proving that I'm paying taxes in Korea; I get paid for every hour I'm teaching and that's it; my C4 visa states that I'm working under a french book publishing contract.

3) My question: would a "contract" or payment slips or whatever paper from my employer be fine if I'm ever asked about my payment in Korea, or do you need some kind of official korean government "T4" kind-of paper once you get back in Canada to prove you paid taxes here?


I'm sure someone here can answer this?

[peppermint]

I'd strongly reccomend filing for non residency now, but I'm not sure how that will work out, if you spend a couple of months working in the country each year.
you file for non residency with the NR-73
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/nr73/README.html

That will let you know what your residency status is for tax purposes, which is something at least.

I returned to Canada, after 4 years in Korea, last year, sent off the NR-74 form (regaining residency, which probably isn't necessary for most people) and then did my taxes as normal.

They didn't ask for payslips, or any sort of evidence of a contract, but I kept everything just in case. They will ask about your ties to Korea, vs to Canada. I mentioned work contracts, cell phone and internet contracts, pets, everything:P

I'd also take a walk down to your local tax office, and ask for proof that you've been paying taxes in Korea, just in case. The location should be here: http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/default.html
The document you get will be in Korean, but it should still count as proof that you were a resident in Korea not Canada

[Mr. Pink]

To the OP:

There is NO WAY that the Canadian government will know how much you have made unless you are sending every penny back to Canada.

You are working illegally, you are NOT paying taxes in Korea either. If you are being deducted, your employer is scamming you.

Just put your Canada income, if you made none in Canada, put ZERO. They won't question you unless they randomly audit you and see you got a big fat bank account, which I doubt you do.

[ohia]

Ok, a big thanks to both of you. I'll fill the non-residency papers now to see how they consider my status in Canada. I'll also tell my boss I plan to go to the local tax office; this way I'll know if she's truly declaring anything.


BTW I'm not working illegally; I don't see why my boss would bother to fill all the papers to sponsor a C4 visa, pay me a round trip ticket to Japan + a hotel room if in the end I would end up as an illegal worker. She could get the same "illegal" result hiring me while I'm on a tourist visa.

I guess it's just that I spend more time "testing the books" on the students than writing books.

[Nerdowl]

Hi Ohia. This doesn't have anything to do with your tax question, but I was just wondering: how did you find a job teaching French at a hagwon?

My boyfriend is Quebecois and may well be looking for a job in Korea (particularly a short term one as he doesn't necessarily want to commit to a full year). He is coming in January and we're thinking he could work a winter camp job as he is bilingual. But I know he would be much more comfortable teaching French!