Korean Job Discussion Forums

[macattack123]

Hi everyone,

erm so I'm coming to korea in about 3 weeks, depending on the speed of my visa process that is.

I've never been to Korea or taught before and could use some advice. My main worry right now (because of reading so much about problems) is TAX! My school wants to tax 3.8% and I'm sure that can't be right? I'm working for a private school and getting paid 2 mil. Can anyone give me any guess as to how much i SHOULD be getting taxed?? Is there different tax codes for public/private??

If you have any other advice for me then i'd appreciate it. What i can expect (kinder/elementary), things to bring etc etc..... I have travelled a lot and it's not the new culture that's the problem, far from it. It's the job and what to expect.

Thanks guys

[/b]

[ontheway]

[lhasa]

They've probably set you up as an 'independent contractor' (not an employee) which has a tax rate above 3%. You also won't be getting NHIC or NPP.

Scenario 2....if you are an 'employee', they're planning on pocketing the difference between the actual tax rate and the 3.8

Scenario 3....school doesn`t know what they`re doing

Welcome to Korea

[macattack123]

Thanks guys.

So should i ask my recruiter/employer exactly what i am, whether it be employee or 'independent contractor'???

What exactly is the difference. I mean, does it make a difference to anything else but tax???

One way or another I'm paying too much then??

YEY, now i get to question my employer before i even step foot in Korea. It has to be done though, i may be a piece of teaching meat but no way im being taken for a ride when it comes to money!!!

So what's the deal with pension and medical? Im from the UK and the pension i pay in Korea (seemingly) gets put into my UK pension???? I can't claim anything back in Korea so does it really matter if im not paying it? I have personal insurance, so does it also really matter about me paying 50% medical.

Sorry about the mass of questions. I really haven't a clue.

One more thing, are the only things taken out of your salary per month Tax, Medical 50% and pension? How much is it roughly????

Thanks

[macattack123]

Can i just say that I'm actually interested in teaching, i sound little a money hungry *beep*!!! Although from what i've heard, teaching is the last thing on the important list when it comes to schooling....

[NMonk]

HI Mac,

wow, i could have written that post!! i have also done A LOT of travelling and working around the world, but this is my first time classroom teaching and in korea. I will also be teaching kinder/elementary

I only arrived yesterday night so havn't had time to make first impressions yet (currently jet lagged to hell).

I start at my private school tomorrow afternoon but i'l keep you updated with my first impressions and things you should bring that I forgot, so far mosquito repellant is the only advice I have!!

just out of interest where have you been travelling before? if i've been there too i can make comparisons.

[macattack123]

Hi,

there seems to be a lot of us newbies out there. At the same time there seems to be a lot of wise people who know a lot about the system. I'm really looking forward to coming to Korea, where exactly are you???

I've been to a lot of the usual places in Europe like France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Ireland, spain etc etc. Recently myself and my best friend travelled from Greece, to egypt then onto India and then china. It was in china we decided upon Korea for a year. So we flew all the way home to come all the way back, just for a visa. Booo. Our plan is to teach and then head south to Thailand, cambodia and keep going as far Fiji........ My family is moving to Oz so i'll go see them at some point. Maybe south America too???? I'll see where the wind takes me.

Anyways. So here's a question, how much tax you paying. I'm waiting for a reply from my recruiter. NO WAY im getting done for tax, i pay enough in the UK as it is!!!

[NMonk]

Im in Jeonju mate, where u gonna be? nice to hear you're also from the u.k (no offence to anyone from any other nation). I hear what you're saying about the tax, how nice is it going to be dropping tax from 24% + N.I to 3% roughly!!! Im not sure exactly how much im paying here, i'l find out today when i go to the school and let u know.

ye im also planning on saving for 12 months then travelling india china through s.e asia to indo to catch some surf

I highly recommend s.america btw, awesome place.

right i really need to try and force some sleep into me before i go to work at 12!! i'l let you know about the tax, i'l ask the other teachers in the school what they pay.

Peace.

[nomad-ish]

here's a good link to some threads about pension, tax, health insurance, and severance.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20651

i believe 4.5% is taken out of your salary for pension (the employer is supposed to match that for a total of 9% deposited each month). each month you'll have pension, health insurance, and tax deducted from your pay check.

are you sure you're only getting 2.0 million won? that sounds low for a hagwon position with (presumably) 30 teaching hours a week. you could make that with a degree and no experience at a GEPIK public school and be teaching 22 hours a week.

[macattack123]

Thats for the link.

Yeah 2 mil is quite low BUT many factors were involved in my decision.

1. I've been looking since July for a job but have been messed about by recruiters to the point of sending doc's away, waiting for 3 weeks to be told my school had changed their mind about starting dates. Then the recruiter held my documents hostage from a new recruiter asking for money...mess!

2. Had to look in a specific place due to a friend working there.

4. Looking for work at a time when everyone seems to be heading to Korea.

3. It's actually hard to find a decent job if your not Canadian or American. They prefer the accent. I was eventually accepted by a school because they liked my different accent.

4. After looking for soooo long i decided upon a job that seemed decent as my family are all moving so i'd be homeless!

2 mil isnt that bad is it? Think i can still save some mula if i have no life???

Maybe i can get some overtime?

Hmmmmmmmm!!!

[apocalyptic_tea]

[Murakano]

[macattack123]

Thanks apocalyptic_tea, your post made me smile. It's just what i expect, to be spending more time managing the class than actually teaching. Im up for any challenge and look forward to the actual job.

Im just getting bogged down with all this tax/pension/contract/hours rubbish. The problem is the directors and recruiters who refuse to make life easy. I mean money hungry doesn't even cover some of them. I'm glad im starting to see this now rather than a few months down the line.

Im currently trying to get my recruiter to sort out my tax issue. No way am i paying 3.8% tax on a 2 mil wage. NO! Im british, i don't take this kind of milarky.....

So yeah, i have total respect for folks from the USA or Canada because i have loads of friends from the countries BUT as they would tell you, British english is just different. I was told by a director over the phone that they wanted someone from the US because he wanted the children to sound like the movie stars. Not even kidding. Oh and i was asked a few times to sound more american for interviews. My answer to that was BUGGER OFF!

So yeah, i think im lucky as there will be 3 of us living in the same place so having your best friends around will make life easier.

So are you enjoying yourself??? It's all about the experience and making the most of bad situations. I mean you only live once.

Yes i've already bought a mass of deodorant and reminded myself of the monsoon 40 degree heat of India....phew. Mumbai when monsoon is coming is horrid, im sure Korea is just as bad in places? As for lady things, im sorted. Im of the busty variety and prepared. Europe is used to the bigger lady, Indian people dont care about size but i have a feeling Koreans do. Well the fashionista's of Korea can kiss my big butt, i went to London college of fashion!! ha ha!

[macattack123]

Hi Murakano, thanks for the info......

There are sooooo many contradictions on the forum so could you clear this up for me?

Right!

I cant legally be classified as a independent because im on an E2??

So im classified as an employee which would make my tax approx 1.4%?? according to the tax calculator.

Every month i have Tax, medical 50% and pension taken out.

Now the tax is okay, i think i've got that. Pension, how much should this be per month???? 4.5% each or 4.5% split between myself and my employer? AND medical, how does this work? Is it every 4 months it's taken out, how much do i pay URGH!!!!!!

I HATE THIS STUFF. Can't i just go over, enjoy the culture and impart some wisdom???

Thats wishful thinking right?

[TheUrbanMyth]