Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Miles Rationis]

and if we do get one do we file or does the boss file for refunds?

[Miles Rationis]

Yes or no?

[Flash Ipanema]

A lot of hagwons save money by registering teachers as independent contractors instead of employees. This saves them money because they don't have to pay extra insurance, but you lose out because you don't get as good a refund.

Apparently the tax office doesn't say it's illegal to register a teacher on an E2 as independent, which completely contradicts immigration law. I currently have three identical posts on the immigration website asking why the tax office doesn't follow immigration laws - it's been almost 2 months and it's still processing.

Contact your local tax office and find out if you're registered as an independent or an employee. Check your contract to see if it describes you as an employee. If nothing else works, call the Labor Board.

If you are registered as an employee then I believe you have to apply for your refund in either December or January. Actually, I think the school is supposed to do it. This only applies to hagwons - public school teachers from certain countries are exempt and may have a different process.

[Oreovictim]

Crap, do we file taxes in Korea? I thought that it was only for married people. I filed for my taxes back in the U.S., but that's it.

I finished my first contract back in November, and I never filed for any tax refund in Korea, neither did any of my coworkers. My old boss never mentioned anything.

[Flash Ipanema]

[Saxiif]

I got a 2 million won tax refund and I didn't do shit.
The business manager guy at my hagwon rocks

[DongtanTony]

Let me preface my post by saying that I have said before, in other threads obviously, that my coworkers and I may have the most honest and forthright hogwon director in Korea.

We've been working at our current school, our second hogwon, since the end of June/beginning of July.

Our boss filed for all of the employees...currently 7 foreign teachers.

This is only for income/residence tax mind you...at my rate of salary I pay about 70,000 per month.

Thursday, my girlfriend and I each got 505,340 back from the tax office.

Most jobs don't tell you, as was the case with our first hogwon....because they simply file for you...and pocket your refund.

Anybody else notice the recent drop in residence/income taxes btw??? Is that the new administration working its magic??