View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Evangeline11
Joined: 13 Jun 2011
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:28 am Post subject: Landlord asking me to lie about address to immigration |
|
|
Sorry if this should be in the job related section...
I moved into my new apartment today and my realtor said, quite casually, that I should give the address of my officetel when registering with immigration for my ARC because it will mean higher taxes for my landlord and that it's something "almost everyone who lives in officetels does" (lie about their address). This obviously seems like a terrible idea to me but I also don't want to piss off my landlord if it's not actually a big deal to put down my schools/a friends address. Can anyone enlighten me to what is going on here and offer some advice? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Evangeline11
Joined: 13 Jun 2011
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
** should not give my actual address |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Qonny
Joined: 28 Oct 2014
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
I wouldn't. If it comes back around, it will bite you on the ass. I have heard there is a fine for not changing your address on your ARC in a timely fashion. The landlord/realtor are basically asking you to be a party to tax avoidance. If they make a kefuffle about it tell them that you will get in trouble with immigration if it is found you are lying.
I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to piss your landlord off, but F*** it. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Savant
Joined: 25 May 2007
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Taxes for business dwellings are lower than that of for residential dwellings.
If the Landlord allows you to register your name for the Officetel then he can longer claim taxes for a business dwelling.
Before signing your contract, you should have asked [in hindsight] if you can register your lease with the local Gu Office because they can stamp your lease recognising you as a legal tenant. I don't know what kind of contract you signed?
If you are registering your address with Immigration then you need to provide them with documentation i.e. your lease for your place of residence with your name on it; unless housing is provided by your school. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Location: Seoul
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
That's a form of tax evasion which is actually rampant among 'officetel' leases in Korea, due to a loophole in the tax law and the residence registration regulation.
Since 'officetel' is by nature a dual purpose property, it could be registered with the tax authority as either an office space or a residence. The former gets certain tax exemptions, but the latter incurs income tax on the rental income on the landlord's tax return.
In principle, you as the lessee would register your residence to local authority not only for all public service but also as a measure of deposit protection. (albeit imperfect) The moment you register, though, the property gets identified as a residential property in the gov system, based upon which the tax authority comes after your landlord.
But the problem for lessees in reality is that the landlord can make your life miserable if you're not complicit, by not cooperating with repair and maintenance or by intentionally taking time returning your deposit at the end of lease, or even by breaking the contract and kicking you out for a more docile lessee.
There aren't that many ways the lessees can fight back in this regard, and as a result, the vast majority of lessees in Korea (9 out of 10) just play along at their own expense.
Since you can't put down your school address as your 'residence' for an apparent reason, you might just end up playing along especially when the deposit is your own money, not your employer's. I cannot say I'm advising you to aide and abet an ongoing tax evasion, but I can only describe the dirty side of what it is as it is. Taking the matter to the authority wouldn't solve your problem, since they're interested in levying taxes but they cannot force the landlord to let you keep living in his private property.
In any case, though, talk to your employer about your dilemma if your visa is of the type that required a sponsor in the first place, and see if they're willing to get involved in the matter.
Last edited by Jake_Kim on Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
wooden nickels
Joined: 23 May 2010
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
I recommend following all immigration rules 100%. You really should register your place of residence with immigration. Be wary of sketchy landlords. Deposits can sometimes be troublesome getting back, or at least in full. A sketchy landlord can be just as shady as a sketchy boss. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
coralreefer_1
Joined: 19 Jan 2009
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 4:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
A stated, would follow the immi rules as well.
But really, if you are considering this...AT LEAST ask for a small reduction in rent. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
TheMeerkatLover
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
I would suggest you NOT lie to any official authority here. Just tell the truth and let your 'landlord' pay his share of taxes if need be.
The level of open corruption here is pretty surprising. It makes me glad the gov't had decided to go after funds through enforced driving regulations (camera's, speeding tickets, enforced parking rules) next month.
Regardless, tell the truth and DO NOT LIE to any authorities. If you do, you will be the one who will suffer all penalties (and saying someone told you to lie won't fly here). |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
singerdude
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
TheMeerkatLover wrote: |
I would suggest you NOT lie to any official authority here. Just tell the truth and let your 'landlord' pay his share of taxes if need be.
The level of open corruption here is pretty surprising. It makes me glad the gov't had decided to go after funds through enforced driving regulations (camera's, speeding tickets, enforced parking rules) next month.
Regardless, tell the truth and DO NOT LIE to any authorities. If you do, you will be the one who will suffer all penalties (and saying someone told you to lie won't fly here). |
I absolutely agree with this. If you get caught by immigration with not providing a valid current address, you will be fined, probably much more than what your landlord is saving. I believe the fine is somewhere in the 1-2 mil won range. Maybe someone here can clarify this. I was told that when you move, you must update your address with immi within 2 weeks or receive the fine.
When it comes to breaking the law here or in any country, don't do it because you don't want to cause a hassle. I would cause the hassle to avoid that. You think it's a terrible idea and I agree. Stick to your guns on this one. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
Lying here would be stupid in the first place, but I do question whether immigration has any connection with the tax authorities. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
northway wrote: |
Lying here would be stupid in the first place, but I do question whether immigration has any connection with the tax authorities. |
They don't. And even if the police are involved, they'd probably won't call immigration. Unless you committed a pretty bad crime. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jvalmer wrote: |
northway wrote: |
Lying here would be stupid in the first place, but I do question whether immigration has any connection with the tax authorities. |
They don't. And even if the police are involved, they'd probably won't call immigration. Unless you committed a pretty bad crime. |
So basically the real estate agent is asking for some completely unnecessary shadiness? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
northway wrote: |
jvalmer wrote: |
northway wrote: |
Lying here would be stupid in the first place, but I do question whether immigration has any connection with the tax authorities. |
They don't. And even if the police are involved, they'd probably won't call immigration. Unless you committed a pretty bad crime. |
So basically the real estate agent is asking for some completely unnecessary shadiness? |
Yes. Personally I'd just register the new address, but that's me. It's not like the building owner will follow him to register his new address. It's the OP's call. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Wad
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Immigration will ask for a copy of your housing contract when you go for your ARC. Impossible to lie unless you can get a forged contract.
One of my colleagues hadn't changed her address with immigration for 3 years. When she brought in her housing contract they fined her 300,000w. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wad wrote: |
Immigration will ask for a copy of your housing contract when you go for your ARC. Impossible to lie unless you can get a forged contract.
One of my colleagues hadn't changed her address with immigration for 3 years. When she brought in her housing contract they fined her 300,000w. |
Is this a new requirement? Because I never had to submit anything like that. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|