How I Filed My Taxes in Korea as a Foreigner
How I Filed My Taxes in Korea as a Foreigner
💬 Introduction: Korean Taxes Aren’t That Scary
Filing taxes abroad can feel like trying to read a contract in a language you barely speak. That’s exactly how I felt staring at my Korean income documents. But after a bit of trial and error (and lots of help from Korean friends), I figured it out. Here’s exactly how I filed my taxes as an expat in Korea—without losing my mind in the process.
Table of Contents
🖥️ Registering on Hometax
The first step is to register on Hometax—Korea’s official online tax portal. It’s mostly in Korean, but don’t worry, Google Translate and a bit of patience go a long way. You’ll need your ARC number and a valid Korean ID method (like a public certificate or mobile authentication).
📄 Required Documents
Here’s what I had to gather before filing:
- Alien Registration Number (ARC)
- Income statement from my employer (지급명세서)
- Proof of Korean address
- Bank account info for the refund deposit
💡 Tip: I thought my employer would file everything for me. Nope. I had to upload the documents myself.
⚠️ Mistakes I Nearly Made
- I forgot to include my monthly rent—turns out that could lower your tax!
- I didn’t realize private health insurance payments were deductible.
- I assumed the system was automatic. It’s not. Double-check everything.
💸 How I Got My Refund
After submitting my return through Hometax, I got a confirmation text within a week. Just two weeks later, my refund landed in my Korean bank account—no phone calls, no paperwork, no in-person visits. Just careful digital filing.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Filing your taxes in Korea doesn’t have to be painful—if you know the system.
Whether you're here on a work visa or freelancing on a tourist extension, Korea’s tax system can actually work in your favor. Keep good records, file early, and ask for help if you need it. And hey—don’t leave money on the table.
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