Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Evangeline11]

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?

[Evangeline11]

** should not give my actual address

[Qonny]

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.

[Savant]

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.

[Jake_Kim]

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.

[wooden nickels]

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.

[coralreefer_1]

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.

[TheMeerkatLover]

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).

[singerdude]

[northway]

Lying here would be stupid in the first place, but I do question whether immigration has any connection with the tax authorities.

[jvalmer]

[northway]

[jvalmer]

[Wad]

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.

[northway]