Korean Job Discussion Forums

[loose_ends]

I lived in Korea from 2003-2008 and always worried about taxes when I returned. I didn't declare non residency or anything, and never really had any solid information. Anyway, I filed last in 2003. I spent 2003-2008 in Korea and then worked here in Canada 2009 to present.

I just filed taxes for the first time. I filed for 2009-2011, the years I have t4 papers for. I didn't send anything in for the years I was in Korea. It took about 2.5 months longer but I got all the taxes back i supposes to, and no questions asked about the time I was in Korea.

Seems all that worrying was about nothing...haha.

[viciousdinosaur]

Yup. Canada doesn't really give a damn about your overseas income. If it's not on a T4 they won't even know about it. I was paying taxes in Canada for two years before they finally contacted me and told me to stop. They said I was a non-resident and I was wasting my time. They even blocked me from filing taxes until I returned.

[12ax7]

Last time I inquired about paying taxes in Canada and residency status, the lady on the phone at Revenue Canada, after I had explained that I was worried about getting in trouble for not filing, said, "If I were you, I wouldn't do it. There's no way they'll know unless you tell them."


But, nowadays there's really no need to worry. Canada and South Korea signed a tax agreement almost 10 years ago. You can't be taxed twice for revenue you've acquired in either of the countries. So, your Korean income can't be taxed in Canada if you've paid Korean taxes on it, and your Canadian income (if you have any that is taxable), can't be taxed in Korea (it's pretty complex, but as a non-resident, you might not even need to pay taxes on your Canadian income, depending on the type it is).

[Captain Corea]

I experienced pretty much the same thing.

They had no interest in my time outside of Canada.

[thebearofbundang]

Good to know.. I have thought about this a lot.. Wondered if when I returned there would be a Revenue Canada agent knocking on my door asking for their cut..

[tanklor1]

Man, sometimes you just got to love being Canadian.