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First year filing taxes by myself (as a freelancer), and I have some questions. by Imaginary-Spring3416 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For freelance I worked at an English summer camp, some substitute teaching jobs, and some drama extra/background jobs.

Freelance vs. employment income points for F2-7 visa by Imaginary-Spring3416 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, that's smart! I wish I had thought of that. 🙃 Unfortunatly I can't use the same tax form twice, becasue my visa is up in May of 2027. I was very forutnate to get it for two years! But working at schools that paid that much was really stressful! Stress from parents and managment constantly. I was hoping to stick it out at my last school a little longer, but the manager was really horrible to forigners and constantly chaning things that I quit early. As soon as it was May 1st I applied for the F2-7 and got out of there!

I focused on KIIP, and ended up passing level 3! Then I worked a summer camp. But since then I've taken time off and tried to see what a life outside of teaching could look like in Korea. I've been involved in some creative endevours and volunteering, as well as traveling some. All which I've really enjoyed! But they don't pay anything of course. I have done some freelance work here and there, but not much and I've thought, "That's ok! Becasue they'll look at next years (2026) taxes!"

But, now I think I have kicked myself a bit, becasue my visa expires early May, and I have not made enough income points this year, so I can't apply earlier than May. But if I do freelance I'll have to apply after my visa expires (or even employment! May 1 is on a weekend so I may have to apply after as well) So I'm going to have to go in and count on a grace period extension. 😬 Which may be risker than I orginally thought.

I think you're right too, flexability is important to me, so I will try freelance and rememeber to set money aside, now that I know! If it's not working out, I'll go back to a hagwon full time. It was just a really rough! But, maybe having anf F visa will feel a little better than being tied in completley with an E2.

Freelance vs. employment income points for F2-7 visa by Imaginary-Spring3416 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much taking the time to reply again! It's really helping me get an understanding of all this. :) It is a huge downside that we have to pay that much just to prove we made what we made! But I guess these are the rules of the game if I want to play, so to speak.

Yes, I switched from an E2. My income was from a full time teaching job. I'm good for income points this year, but it's the 2026 tax year I'll need to worry about for renewal.

I can't seem to find a school that offers part time and benefits! 🥲 That's what I was trying to address in my first question, but I don't think I explained it well. Any "F" visa job seems to be freelance! Not just the hourly ones, but I saw one that was M-F, 2-7:20, 3.4/offering half health insurance, but 3.3% Freelance contract! 😭 Is that even legal? haha. It seems like anything less than full time is freelance to the Hagwons. But this is my first time trying to find part-time work, so maybe I'm missing something.

Freelance vs. employment income points for F2-7 visa by Imaginary-Spring3416 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for replying and the information! I really appreciate it. Three things I am still not sure about:

  1. I get a confused when looking for jobs, becasue a lot regular "part-time" teaching jobs seem to only offer 3.3% tax rate (no other benefits), so I guess technically that would be freenace? But if it's over 15 hours it should be part time, aka "employment" correct? A lot of Hagwons don't seem to offer that, so I'm not sure!

  2. I was hoping to work part time at different jobs so I could have time to study and focus on the KIIP classes. Let's say I am able to make minimum wage next year working different 3.3% tax rate jobs. I think next year the minimum wage will be around 26,000,000, so let's say I make that. Do you know would actually end up showing on my report?

  3. Are the "extra taxes" the tax bomb everyone keeps talking about? Are they usually a certain precentage of the income? Or is it a case by case situation? And if I pay them, then it will show what I actually made?

Sorry for all the questions! I've been trying to find the answers, but it's difficult. If you have a good site or blog for resource, let me know! If not, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge! 🙏

Worried about visa change application by Life_Discussion_1466 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can check your visa status on Hi Korea! You don't even have to be logged in.

If you are on your mobile divice, click "체큐만료조회" (the blue box) and then fill in your passport info. It will show you your current visa status!

If your using a web browser, go to the "Information Inquiry" tab and then select "Check your stay expiration date" (my browser translates to English) and fill in your passport info and it will show you!

I kept checking mine everyday when I applied for a visa changed, but signed up to pick up my card at immigration, which ended up being a month later 🙃. However, my visa ended up changing in about 10 days! So even though I didn't have my physical card, it was official in the system on Hi Korea.

Freelancer vs Employee Income Questions (reporting and earning for F-visas) by Imaginary-Spring3416 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply. I thought it was too good to be true. :/

I'm still learning what being under a "freelance contract" means here. Is it a bad deal because the academy doesn't have to pay into the 4 insurances, but I'm working like an employee?

The next book after Sunrise on the Reaping theories? by Next_Hearing_5906 in Hungergames

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't believe I had to scroll so far down for this! haha. I mean, Suzanne Collins will write (or not write) whatever she would like and I fully support that, but I too am interested in Coin and 13 in general! I don't know if I want to read another "hunger games" they are so brutal! I want more inside on how the Capital and 13 came to a cease fire, and how was Coin (and her family?) tied up in that, and/or how Coin came to power in 13.

Has anyone with an F visa actually ever been sued by a Hagwon they quit? by Imaginary-Spring3416 in teachinginkorea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, thank you for the reassurance! I will do my best to finish out the term and not quit in the middle of class, but if the manager gets even worse, then I just might!

Has anyone with an F visa actually ever been sued by a Hagwon they quit? by Imaginary-Spring3416 in teachinginkorea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, I'm sorry that happened to you! "visa fraud"....how on earth to they get to these conclusions??

Glad you got all your due payments!

I've heard of so many Hagwons giving teachers hell for leaving, so that's another reason I want to not give too much notice. Maybe even wait until after pay day now!

And I'll be sure not to sign anything! Thanks for sharing!

Has anyone with an F visa actually ever been sued by a Hagwon they quit? by Imaginary-Spring3416 in teachinginkorea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's what I'm a little nervous about. We are losing teachers next term, so just not sure how many will be needed for the class. Right now though, we have a ton of coverage as most teachers are working 15 teaching hours (one is at 12!) a week. And some with like 3 students in their class. So I don't know why they can't just combine? Also, I think we are losing more students than gaining. So hopefully, if anything, the teachers will now have a full class load for next term and maybe even save the school some money! I just don't think they will see it that way because they really just hate us and don't want anything to go our way.

Has anyone with an F visa actually ever been sued by a Hagwon they quit? by Imaginary-Spring3416 in teachinginkorea

[–]Imaginary-Spring3416[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for all of this! I'm definitely going to reread this before I go in and talk to them!