Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mourningclam]

The US tax season is rolling up here soon and I need to file for taxes. I tried doing the online thing before, but there was no way it would let me enter the income I made in Korea. Does anybody else have a similar problem or solution? Or should I just not bother?

[Ya-ta Boy]

Unless you are rolling in wealth (in which case you aren't teaching English) you aren't making enough to pay any income tax. You do need to sign a form and file.

[maxxx_power]

[kangnamdragon]

[maxxx_power]

Whoa, I'm honestly sorry about that. Maybe I should practice up on mah readin'. Either that or get some more sleep.

Yes, you can download the form to file from the IRS website.

[Tony Danza's Houseguest]

As a corrollary to the OP, I have a question: If I end up not being out of the US for 330 days, what can I get to document my income, if anything? Am I just supposed to use my bank deposit receipts or something such as that? I actually did try to find information on my own, but didn't do so well with that.

I'd be obliged if anyone can help me out.

[Son Deureo!]

I'm wondering the same thing as TDH above. Furthermore, my previous hogwon was not withholding my taxes for the Korean government, so how can I report my income to the IRS?

[maxxx_power]

[aussie col]

This is for Australia but maybe helpful.

I found that the Australian Government doesn't make us pay tax on O/S income if we are teaching English. Some agreement they have with Korea or something.

Maybe the US has the some.

[ajuma]

As long as you make less than $75,000 (that may have risen) you just have to tell them how much you made. You DON'T have to have any proof. I've been filing for years and have never had a problem...except this year, since they haven't sent me the forms yet!

If you had US income during 2003, you'll have to claim that, though, and submit a W-2 for it!

[Tony Danza's Houseguest]

Yes, but you'll be able to claim the foreign tax exclusion based on the 330 days/365 out of the country, no? We're wondering what to do if we don't satisfy that requirement, be it because of sketchy hagwons or other matters, I'm not really sure. I am not here to judge, only to scold.

Maxx, I looked at the IRS website, skimmed the whole 8 billion pages and couldn't find anything. You'd think the FAQ would have questions that I'm asking quite frequently, but no such luck. Perhaps a call to H and R Block, or at least my mom, who will end up filing my taxes. Because I am apparently still 16 years old and working as a busboy.

[ajuma]

Actually, there IS an H&R Block office in Seoul. Don't know the info, but check out the English language newspapers...they always have ads around tax time. If you HAD US income in 2003, then you have to file your W-2, but if you didn't, you STILL have to file the "long form" (1040) but just put "0" for your US income! If I remember correctly (and it's been a long time since I've had to do it this way!), if you WEREN'T out of the country for 330 days, you have to file a little different way...but DON'T WORRY about forms from your hagwon!! As long as you're not making big bucks, (and you ususally get those from legit companies who help you with the tax stuff!) the IRS DOESN'T CARE!!!! (How would they find you in Korea, anyway! )

[shawner88]

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch01.html#d0e442


I filed the past three years but according to this site above we don't have to even file if we made under 7,800$

Since I've been on a tourist visa the past year I could easily fall into that category:

Filing Requirements
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns and for paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.

Your income, filing status, and age generally determine whether you must file an income tax return. Generally, you must file a return for 2003 if your gross income from worldwide sources is at least the amount shown for your filing status in the following table.

Filing Status* Amount
Single $7,800
65 or older $8,950
Head of household $10,050
65 or older $11,200
Qualifying widow(er) $12,550
65 or older $13,500
Married filing jointly $15,600
Not living with spouse at end of year $3,050
One spouse 65 or older $16,550
Both spouses 65 or older $17,500
Married filing separately $3,050
*If you are the dependent of another taxpayer, see the instructions for Form 1040 for more information on whether you must file a return.

I heard that it you want to get married you have to show proof of filing for the past 3 years, so I'm confused. Not that I want to get married, but hey, you never know. And I don't want the headache of back filing/paying fines, etc. I'm not sure. Maybe I'll just file to be safe.

Also, my friend didn't file here for two years. When he got back home he got audited by the IRS and had to pay $2,000 in fines.

[Son Deureo!]

Shawner, or anyone else who's been in this situation, how do you plan on documenting your income for the IRS from your illegal income? I assume that since you were working on a tourist visa your boss also wasn't reporting your taxes to the Korean Tax Office?

It wouldn't be hard for me to calculate my income since it was the same every month without overtime, but the IRS would probably want to see more than my own personal estimate, right?

[shawner88]

That's the point. You can say you didn't make any money since you had a tourist visa. They may check bank records though. I have sent home around $6-7k in savings. Not sure how I'd explain that. I'd have to say I brought it with me to Korea.