Korean Job Discussion Forums

[perkxplosion]

Hi everyone. I've been trying to find some info on this and so far have come up short. I've been here about 6 months and my dad needs to file my taxes. He is an accountant and told me that in order to do this he must have some form of documentation showing my YTD pay and Korean tax deducations from each pay period. However, my current school has not ever given me a pay stub or any paperwork that shows my taxes being paid. When I asked my owner about it today he did not understand why I needed this if I am paying taxes to the Korean government. Am I missing something here? The other foreigners I know in Korea don't get anything on paper either so what is the deal? Can someone please tell me any experience they had for filing taxes in the US after working in Korea? Thanks.

[naturegirl321]

I worked in scotland for 4 months way back when. Just wrote a letter explaining it and sent it in. Did have pay stubs, etc for Scotland. YOu should be fine. I doubt you're rolling in the dough, so just be truthful and you'll be fine.

[rachelk22]

Hi perkxplosion. I have been here for 1 1/2 years, and the first year filing taxes were easy. All I did was file for the time I spent working in America. I arrived in August 2008, and come January 2009, I filed taxes for January - August 2008, and the rest was history.

The trouble I am having this year is that I didn't make one cent in America in the year 2009... so do I have to file taxes, or not?? When back in the states in February 2009, I spoke to a representative from Jackson Hewitt who told me that I didn't have to file taxes if I didn't earn money in the United States... but others have told me that I DO have to file taxes... I don't know which information is correct, and if I DO have to file taxes for the time I have spent here, I have no idea what information to use...

This is something I have been struggling to figure out for MONTHS and for all the expats that have been here for years, there appears to be no ONE solution. If you find any more helpful information please post it to this forum.

Good to know I am not the only one

[Cerberus]

[rachelk22]

Cerberus, I agree with you that I have to file. But do you have any idea what information I need in order to file? Do I need anything from my school? And have you filed before while living here? I'm looking for someone who can guide me through the process since I am completely clueless.

I faxed a letter to the IRS yesterday asking for some direction, so we'll see when and if they get back to me

[lowpo]

[danpaesan]

Use the forgien earned income form 2555 to report money earned in Korea. I have never included a statements of earnings along with this. The IRS knows we aren't making more than 80k as English teachers.

[persephone]

The above is correct. You don't need to show proof of how much you made in Korea. Just right the amount in parentheses on the 1040 form and attach the 2555 foreigner income tax form to it. You won't have to pay anything.