Korean Job Discussion Forums

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

It's the end of the year and I await severance payout at the end of this month (I work at a public elementary school). The Korean coteacher just said that for the entire year they haven't been deducting income tax.

I had no idea.

Bad news.

In EVERY other job I've had in Korea income tax was deducted every month.

I'd like to ask the forum, then, what the income tax rate for a Canadian would be. I am classified as a non-resident in Canada.

I think the rate is 1.5 perecent, am I right? Thanks.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Any of you Canadians know? It's a pressing issue at the moment. Thanks.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject:

Go here - http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

It depends on your monthly salary. And it doesn't matter if you are Canadian or English or Korean. It's the same tax rate for everyone.

Cruise Monkey gave you the main website for the tax office, but this one will take you directly to the page where you can do a quick calculation of your monthly tax rate:

http://nts.go.kr/eng/help/help_52.asp?top_code=H001&sub_code=HS05&ssub_code=HSE2

My public school also did this at the beginning and told me I'll have to pay it at the end of the year. I insisted they take it out monthly because I don't want to pay a big bill at the end of the year. It's just laziness on their part.

I think they also get a little confused because at public schools, people of other nationalities do not have to pay tax for their first couple of years in Korea. Canadians are the only exception (lucky us).

egrog1717 · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Not sure if this fits your situation... But it was explained to me (I'm Canadian as well working for SMOE) that if your year's salary falls below a certain number (like 15 or 18 million or something) you don't have to pay tax on it... Which is why my school didn't take tax from Aug - December...