Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vivid]

Just a quick note - make sure your cell phone is registered to your name and alien card number. If not, you're giving someone else your receipts.

I've got a cell phone under someone else's name because it was cheaper.
As long as you've got the account linked to your alien card number it should be automatic - was for me this year. Things like Gmarket and iPark accounts are also linked and work in the same way.

[god of English]

Unless you're spending more than 25% of your gross income, this is a waste of time.

In other words, if you're making 30 mil/year, you have to record more than 7.5 mil in expenditures before you start seeing deductions.

This may be feasible on a teacher's salary but not on mine.

[laynamarya]

OP, I just found out that debit card purchases DO count toward the overall, because your bank creates a document on your overall spending-within-Korea habits. So if you spend a lot, in comparison to your income, you can get a tax refund. If you spend just a little, and save a lot, or send most of your money to your home country, you will end up paying taxes.

I also discovered that you don't have to pay taxes on the money you spend on national health insurance, but you have to get the documents from the insurance website. (Not sure how to do that; my husband took care of it. I just know it's possible.)

I think you can also deduct educational expenses, such as attending a Korean hagwon, but you have to have the receipts to prove it.

[Luciddreamer]

Thanks a bunch guys. I really appreciate it!