Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Richardjw84]

My school are on my case to get them one of these, but they aren't being very clear about what it actually is! They seem to think my embassy can get me one but I can't find anything on their website. Can anyone tell me what I need to do?

Thanks!

[Setaro]

It's to avoid paying Korean tax. You need to show proof of residency (for tax purposes) in the UK. For Americans, they just get a Residence Certificate, but those don't exist in the UK.

UK/SK tax is a nightmare of mixed-messages with little hard facts. I think if you avoid paying SK tax, you may be liable for UK tax on return to the UK unless you stay out the country for a full tax year. Italics because I'm not 100% sure.

Either way, SK taxes are unbelievably low, so I opted to pay those, to avoid any tax-nightmare back in the UK. When I arrived, my co-teacher asked for my residence certificate, I said I don't have one and the UK doesn't issue them, which she seemed to never truly believe. She was also incredulous that I was willing to pay Korean tax, I guess because the previous Native teacher had been an American guy who basically tried to avoid paying anything to do with tax, bills etc.

When she took me to the tax office I told the official I wanted to pay Korean tax, he seemed incredulous too, and asked for the Resid. Cert. Again I said it doesn't exist for UK citizens, and basically my passport is proof I am a resident of the UK, because it was issued in the UK and I had to have been a resident in the UK to get it (half a lie I'm sure, but anyway). He nodded and then filled in the form.

Oddly, I've yet to pay any Korean tax, so either the guy ticked the 'this foreigner doesn't need to pay tax' box, or they'll bill me for 2 years tax in one lump sum at the end of this new contract. Who knows.