Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowleopard]

I tried searching for this but I couldn't find an answer. I renewed my contract this month's pay slip included my airfare and a severance allowance in addition to my teaching allowance. I have two questions. One, Am I suppose to get the severance allownace now? My old contract ended and I just started the new one but I though you recieved severance at the end of a contract, once you decided not to renew anymore. Next, on my pay stub, I noticed they took out a lot more for health insurance. I was told that the airfare reimbursement is counted as part of my salary so they had to take out more for health insurance. Is this true?

[Alaskaman]

Yes, it is seen as income. Thus the higher rate of taxation. As far as severence your school should issue this money asap. Unless you would like them to pay you double at the end of the second contract, but I would not do this as you money is at risk. Trust nobody and things seem to go ok in Korea.

[Snowleopard]

Thanks for the information Alaskaman. I just wanted to make sure. I also have some more questions regarding overtime. I hope someone can help me. I just started doing afterschool classes so I'm not as familiar with how this works. On my pay slip, I noticed my school was taking out 3 things: a rental fee, income tax, and inhabitants' tax. I know that some people here have had to pay the rental fee (though I still think it's a load of BS and totally random, since other FTs in my city don't have to pay it). I am still confused about the income tax and inhabitants' tax. I thought US citizens didn't have to pay these types of taxes during their first 2 years of employment, which is why they are not taking it out of my regular income. I gave them the residency certificate when I first got here. Do the extra classes just work differently? Can someone please explain this to me because I'm really confused.

[Teddycakes21]

[Snowleopard]

Bump! Answers to my second post please.

[cruisemonkey]

Find out who the financial officer/accountant is at your school. Go see him and inform him of the fact 'someone' (chose: your district Office of Education/MOE/POE) has made a mistake... you are a U.S. citizen and Korea has a tax treaty with your country. Give him the figure you believe you are owed; ask him to ensure this will not happen in future; and thank him for correcting the 'mistake'.