Navigating the Korean tax system can be complex, especially for foreigners or those filing for the first time. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for asking for assistance with your tax filing (세금 신고, se-geum sin-go). Learn how to request help, ask specific questions, and understand the process better.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 세금 신고 도움 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go do-um jom ba-deul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get some help with my tax filing?
Basic Questions for Tax Help
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Expression: 세금 신고는 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I file my taxes? -
Expression: 세금 신고 기간이 언제까지인가요?
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go gi-gan-i eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Until when is the tax filing period? -
Expression: 어디서 도움을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo do-um-eul ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get help? -
Expression: 세무서에 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo-e ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to go to the tax office? -
Expression: 온라인으로 신고할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro sin-go-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I file online? -
Expression: 세금 관련 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: se-geum gwal-lyeon sang-dam-eul bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to get tax consultation. -
Expression: 수수료가 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a fee? -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 세금 신고 절차를 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go jeol-cha-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the tax filing procedure? -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are needed?
Explaining Your Tax Situation
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Expression: 저는 외국인입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun oe-guk-in-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am a foreigner. -
Expression: 한국에서 세금 신고는 처음입니다.
Pronunciation: han-guk-e-seo se-geum sin-go-neun cheo-eum-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is my first time filing taxes in Korea. -
Expression: 작년에 소득이 있었습니다.
Pronunciation: jak-nyeon-e so-deuk-i i-sseot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I had income last year. -
Expression: 프리랜서로 일하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-raen-seo-ro il-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I work as a freelancer. -
Expression: 회사에서 연말정산을 했습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-e-seo yeon-mal-jeong-san-eul haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: My company did the year-end tax settlement. -
Expression: 종합소득세 신고를 해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jong-hap-so-deuk-se sin-go-reul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to file for comprehensive income tax. -
Expression: 세금 환급을 받을 수 있는지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: se-geum hwan-geup-eul ba-deul su it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m wondering if I can get a tax refund. -
Expression: 세금 신고서 작성을 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go-seo jak-seong-eul do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me fill out the tax return form. -
Expression: 어떤 공제를 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon gong-je-reul ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: What deductions can I receive? -
Expression: 세금 납부 방법을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: se-geum nap-bu bang-beop-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to pay the taxes.
Specific Tax Inquiries
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Expression: 원천징수영수증이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: won-cheon-jing-su-yeong-su-jeung-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need the receipt for withholding tax. -
Expression: 소득 금액 증명원을 발급받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: so-deuk geu-maek jeung-myeong-won-eul bal-geup-bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’d like to get an income verification certificate. -
Expression: 홈택스 사용법을 잘 모르겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hom-taek-seu sa-yong-beop-eul jal mo-reu-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t know how to use Hometax (the online tax portal) well. -
Expression: 외국인 등록번호로 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in deung-nok-beon-ho-ro sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to file using my Alien Registration Number? -
Expression: 세금 관련해서 궁금한 점이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: se-geum gwal-lyeon-hae-seo gung-geum-han jeom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have some questions regarding taxes. -
Expression: 세무 대리인을 선임하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: se-mu dae-ri-in-eul seon-im-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to appoint a tax representative (accountant). -
Expression: 이 서류를 어떻게 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i seo-ryu-reul eo-tteo-ke jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I fill out this document? -
Expression: 신고 마감일을 놓치면 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: sin-go ma-gam-il-eul no-chi-myeon eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What happens if I miss the filing deadline? -
Expression: 추가로 제출해야 할 서류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga-ro je-chul-hae-ya hal seo-ryu-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any additional documents I need to submit? -
Expression: 세액 계산을 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-aek gye-san-eul do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me calculate the tax amount?
Korean Culture Notes
Hometax System: Korea has a highly developed online tax filing system called Hometax (홈택스, hom-taek-seu). While convenient, it can be challenging for foreigners due to language barriers and the need for digital certificates. Many Koreans utilize this system extensively.
Year-End Tax Settlement (연말정산, Yeonmaljeongsan): Salaried employees typically have their taxes settled by their company through a process called 연말정산 (yeon-mal-jeong-san) around January-February. However, those with additional income (like freelance work) or who are self-employed must file separately during the comprehensive income tax filing period (usually May).
Tax Accountants (세무사, Semusa): For complex situations or significant income, many Koreans and foreigners hire a certified tax accountant (세무사, se-mu-sa) to handle their tax filing. While there’s a fee, it can save time and potentially reduce tax liability through proper deductions.
Help Desks and Services: The National Tax Service (국세청, guk-se-cheong) often provides assistance during tax season, sometimes including services for foreigners. Local tax offices (세무서, se-mu-seo) are also primary points of contact, though English support may vary.
Importance of Deadlines: Tax deadlines in Korea are strictly observed. Missing deadlines can result in penalties, so it’s crucial to file and pay on time. Asking for help well before the deadline is advisable.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a foreigner working as a freelancer in Korea, visits a local tax office help desk for assistance with filing comprehensive income tax for the first time.
Characters:
A: Alex (Foreigner needing help)
B: Tax Office Staff
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 세금 신고 때문에 왔는데요. 도움이 좀 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, se-geum sin-go ttae-mun-e wan-neun-de-yo. do-um-i jom pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I came here regarding tax filing. I need some help. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 도움이 필요하신가요? 종합소득세 신고 기간입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon do-um-i pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo? jong-hap-so-deuk-se sin-go gi-gan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of help do you need? It’s the comprehensive income tax filing period. -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 저는 외국인이고, 한국에서 세금 신고는 처음입니다. 프리랜서로 일하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. jeo-neun oe-guk-in-i-go, han-guk-e-seo se-geum sin-go-neun cheo-eum-im-ni-da. peu-ri-raen-seo-ro il-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. I’m a foreigner, and this is my first time filing taxes in Korea. I work as a freelancer. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 프리랜서시면 5월 말까지 종합소득세 신고를 하셔야 합니다. 필요한 서류는 준비해 오셨나요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. peu-ri-raen-seo-si-myeon o-wol mal-kka-ji jong-hap-so-deuk-se sin-go-reul ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da. pil-yo-han seo-ryu-neun jun-bi-hae o-syeon-na-yo?
Meaning: Ah, I see. If you’re a freelancer, you need to file for comprehensive income tax by the end of May. Did you bring the necessary documents? -
Expression: A: 소득 증빙 자료는 있는데, 어떤 서류가 더 필요한지 잘 모르겠습니다. 그리고 신고서 작성도 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: so-deuk jeung-bing ja-ryo-neun it-neun-de, eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga deo pil-yo-han-ji jal mo-reu-get-seum-ni-da. geu-ri-go sin-go-seo jak-seong-do do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: I have proof of income documents, but I’m not sure what other documents are needed. Also, can you help me fill out the tax return form? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 신분증(외국인등록증)하고 소득 관련 자료 보여주시면 확인해 드릴게요. 작성 방법도 안내해 드리겠습니다. 이쪽으로 앉으세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. sin-bun-jjeung(oe-guk-in-deung-nok-jjeung)-ha-go so-deuk gwal-lyeon ja-ryo bo-yeo-ju-si-myeon hwa-gin-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. jak-seong bang-beop-do an-nae-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. i-jjok-eu-ro an-jeu-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, of course. If you show me your ID (Alien Registration Card) and income-related documents, I’ll check them for you. I’ll also guide you on how to fill out the form. Please sit over here. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you so much!
Practice Tips
Dealing with taxes can feel daunting, but knowing these phrases will make asking for help much easier! Try practicing the core questions first, like asking where to get help or what documents are needed~ Remember to clearly state your situation (e.g., foreigner, first-timer, freelancer) so the staff can assist you better. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be very helpful! Don’t hesitate to use these expressions at the tax office or when consulting a tax professional. Good luck with your tax filing! 파이팅!
