Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tobias]

Hello, all. I have a couple of questions for you guys regarding taxes. This has been asked before here, I'm sure, but I don't have time to dig through the all the threads and posts for the answers.

Anyway, I began working for my government school (college) back in March 2007. This is the first job I've had here, save for a 4-day fling in 2005 at a Hogwan (did a runner from the lying owner). I finished up my first year in March, and then re-signed for another year. I'm currently in the 4th month of the second year, and lo and behold, I suddenly find myself paying TAXES. Knowing this just won't do, I protested to my boss.

His reply was that the person in charge of HR's payroll has been replaced recently, and the new payroll person didn't believe we foreigners from the USA are exempt from paying taxes our first two years. Dead end, right? Well, considering I'm not a guy who is going to use "the proper channels" when I know I'm right and know I'm getting screwed, I took a trip to the local tax office on my own so somebody outside the channels could break through the glass ceiling and give these folks the scoop. I, of course, turned out to be right in this matter. We from the USA are exempt our first two years, just as I already knew, but couldn't convince HR.

But it didn't end there. Of course it didn't, as this is Korea I'm talking about here. I'm sure some of you have guessed this tax office visit rocked my boat hard, as several people lost face at my school. Well, when you cause somebody to lose face in Korea, you will pay. This meant I was in for more excuses.

What was the new stonewall?

Now I must contact my home state back in the USA and request a "certificate of residency". I didn't have to provide that back in March 2007, but they sure want it now. This is their face-saving measure. And get this--I had to pay back taxes of over 500K last month, including for January and February of this year. So not only am I being taxed for my second year now, I have also paid taxes on the last two months of my first year.

Now, my questions:

1. How hard is it to get this certificate of residency BS?
2. How long does it take to get it?
3. Will my home state give me static over this and possibly want me to pay taxes? I don't want to rock THAT boat as well and end up being worse off because I "did the right thing".
4. When I get this certificate of residency, will these guys still take out taxes for the remainder of my contract, or will this deduction stop?
5. When do I get the refund on what I've paid?
6. Do I REALLY have to get this certificate of residency, or somebody just jerking me around to (as I said) "save face"?
7. Should I talk to a lawyer?

I've never heard anything about this COR requirement before this, and I was never told anything by my recruiter about it when I came here 15 1/2 months ago.

Thanks for any and all replies, guys and gals.

I'm also wondering if my school will charge me for 2007's taxes now as well.