Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

Let me preface this by saying, I don't get paystubs. I have asked several times but the accountant is in another office so apparently it is a hassle to get me paystubs. I have worked in Korea for a long(ish) time but because I always got paystubs I never really worried about what was being deducted if it seemed a legitimate amount.

Anyway, this gig my pay is 2.3 million and it seems like 300,000 is consistently missing every pay period. With the onset of winter and the window of my room that wind readily passes through (even with a blanket in front of it AND several complaints to the landlord and my manager...sigh) I have noticed an increase in the deduction... definitely heating bill is an issue but really? That much?

It bugs me having to play this guessing game and my manager who is also at the other office seems like a solid guy. He even went with me to the Labor Board to help resolve a dispute from my previous school. So, I doubt he's screwing me over. I am frustrated about the window, but it's just this crappy room they put me in.

Anyway, after consulting my account it appears that after all my deductions I was paid 1,833,407 out of the 2.3 million. Meaning 466,593 was withheld.

I calculated these:
income tax 30,150
pension 103,500
insurance 61,410

total: 195,060

What would you estimate for internet and other utilities? During the summer and winter?

[YTMND]

[Wildbore]

Sounds like they could be pocketing your wages. Even if they say heating is such and such on a payslip, doesn't mean jack until you physically see the bill/statement. I've had Hagwons "overstate" the utilities, when I took them to the labor board (after I finished my contract) I suddenly got an extra 1,100,000 in extra wages which originally was mostly allocated to "utilities."

You can also go to the pension/health office and check what's going in. Sometimes they are deducting properly but not remitting or they are under-reporting and remitting the wrong amount.

[chaz47]

[newb]

Is there a way I can check to see that my medical insurance and pension are being paid online?

Do you read Korean or have a Korean friend? If not, it's more difficult than rocket science to figure out how to login to those two websites (NHIC & NPS).

Just go visit those offices and find out.

[nicwr2002]

Isn't income tax about 3.3% so it should be 79,900 won out of 2.3

[chaz47]

So I finally got a pay statement.

Earned Income Tax 38,920
Residence Tax 3,890
National Pension 99,000
Health Insurance 69,030
Maintenance Fee/Water 20,000
Gas 191,890
Electric Bill 16,815
Internet 25,920
**Total Deductions = 465,465

Does this seem legitimate?

[Son Deureo!]

Most of those amounts in those deductions sound legit. If you want to confirm that your pension contributions you can check with the National Pension Service by posting an inquiry on their message board at http://www.nps.or.kr/erms/mail/english/MailList.jsp

You can confirm where your tax deductions are going by calling the Korean National Tax Service's helpline for foreigners at 1588-0560

Obviously, the gas sounds a bit high, but considering that you've had an open window all winter, not all that surprising. I'd be raising holy hell about that if I were you, considering that you did ask them to fix it.

[Deja]

Do not expect them to fix anything unless they get something out of it, or are loosing something by not doing it.

Really, fix it yourself... I was lucky that my company had decent people, and THEY personally fixed similar issues in my flat. When I told them to tell the landlord, they couldn't even figure what I meant... obviously they knew there's no point in that.

[Wildbore]

[nicwr2002]

So, if i'm paying almost 80,000 in income taxes, then am I paying too much? I checked the website, but couldn't really understand what was going on. I checked another website and it said 6%? Does anyone know exactly?

[Whistleblower]

Usually at the end of the year, you can complete a tax return and claim a refund if you have paid too much tax.

[chaz47]

[Deja]

Hosuing is not plentiful in Seoul, especially close to work. They either need to:
- spend a lot of their time, finding you another place (ain't happening, don't count on it!)
- spend some of their money to pay a realter to find you another place (highly unlikely...)
- spend your money finding you another place (possible)

You may argue that it is "their duty", but other than a few countries in Europe (UK NOT being one of them), I have found "their duty" fares no weight.

Do not think I am defending them; I was appalled when I first came that they are so "ambivalent" about it in general. But I am saying you won't get far fighting it.
Even if you need to replace the entire window, it will cost you much less time, and possibly less money.
I know lots of well paid Koreans who live in places with wind blowing through the windows, it is nothing strange. Not many of them cared to fix it or do anything about it, since they are likely to move elsewhere soon. They just accept it as is. (they needed a place fast, they didn't really choose)

[Deja]