Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Knucklehead]

So, the info on tax office website says tax refunds should be completed by end of feb for the previous year. (I think)

My hagwon says different. And they say that the online calculator doesn't concern me.

I'm curious if other hagwon teachers have gotten a tax refund.

Also, if you are entitled, does anyone have some advice on how to get your refund.

[big_fella1]

I haven't received my refund yet but I have been told that refunds will be received with our March salary.

What is cause for alarm is your Hagwon telling you that the online calculator doesn't apply to you. This is a lie. Let me guess they are taking 3.3% tax as well?

The 3.3% tax rate is a fraud for any Hagwon teacher, as soon as I see that in a contract I now run (after many mistakes). Report your Hagwon to the Tax office, Health insurance office (if you have a card I bet they are declaring your income at w1,000,00 per month) and the pension office.

I am sick of this nonsense and I wouldn't even bother threatening them just do it.

Good luck

[losing_touch]

I am looking into this further now. I am getting all kinds of nonsense about it. I need to nail down the solid facts for my hagwon. In fact, that is what I will be working on tonight. sigh.....

[I-am-me]

From personal experience and having worked a long time at a hagwon, I recommend people go to their local tax office and find out if the hagwon has paid into the system. You will probably find out they havent nor into the pension scheme. Good luck!

[ontheway]

Generally, there should be no tax rate in your contract. Your taxes should be withheld according to the NTS website:


http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/help/help_52.asp?top_code=H001&sub_code=HS05&ssub_code=HSE2


Rates are progressive from 0 to 36%, so you could be at 3.5% or 5% if your salary is high enough. Very few E2 teachers will be at these rates, of course.

For most E2 teachers, the correct tax withholding should be around 2% or less, and if done correctly, you should have little or no refund due.

For small employers in Korea, the NTS only accepts tax payments from employers once or twice per year, so checking with NTS will not provide you with useful information.

However, your pension and health insurance must be paid in monthly, following your second month (sometimes the first month), so you can check with the pension office to see if your pension is being paid correctly.

For health insurance, you should have a little enrollment booklet within 2 or 3 weeks of being signed up.

You need to get your ARC before you can be signed up for anything, however, so be sure to get that.

Finally, to be a legal teacher, you must be signed up at the local education office WITH your ARC within 10 days of your first teaching day. Otherwise you are an illegal teacher even if you have your E2, ARC and everything else.

[Tobias]

[big_fella1]

[I-am-me]

Exemption doesnt apply to hagwon employees.

[big_fella1]