Navigating the tax system in any country requires specific vocabulary, and Korea is no exception. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to understanding and managing taxes in Korea, covering everything from basic terminology to filing procedures and asking relevant questions.
Table Of Content
Core Concept
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Expression: 한국의 세금 시스템 이해하기
Pronunciation: han-gu-ge se-geum si-seu-tem i-hae-ha-gi
Meaning: Understanding the Korean Tax System
Essential Tax Terms
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Expression: 세금
Pronunciation: se-geum
Meaning: Tax -
Expression: 소득세
Pronunciation: so-deuk-se
Meaning: Income Tax -
Expression: 법인세
Pronunciation: beo-bin-se
Meaning: Corporate Tax -
Expression: 부가가치세 (부가세)
Pronunciation: bu-ga-ga-chi-se (bu-ga-se)
Meaning: Value Added Tax (VAT) -
Expression: 재산세
Pronunciation: jae-san-se
Meaning: Property Tax -
Expression: 세금 신고
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go
Meaning: Tax Return / Tax Filing -
Expression: 납세자
Pronunciation: nap-se-ja
Meaning: Taxpayer -
Expression: 국세청
Pronunciation: guk-se-cheong
Meaning: National Tax Service (NTS) -
Expression: 세무서
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo
Meaning: Tax Office -
Expression: 원천징수
Pronunciation: won-cheon-jing-su
Meaning: Withholding Tax -
Expression: 세율
Pronunciation: se-yul
Meaning: Tax Rate -
Expression: 과세
Pronunciation: gwa-se
Meaning: Taxation / Tax Assessment
Phrases for Tax Filing
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Expression: 세금 신고를 하다
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go-reul ha-da
Meaning: To file a tax return -
Expression: 연말정산
Pronunciation: yeon-mal-jeong-san
Meaning: Year-end tax settlement (crucial for employees) -
Expression: 세금 신고 마감일
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go ma-gam-il
Meaning: Tax filing deadline -
Expression: 세금 공제
Pronunciation: se-geum gong-je
Meaning: Tax deduction -
Expression: 세금 환급
Pronunciation: se-geum hwan-geup
Meaning: Tax refund -
Expression: 세금을 납부하다
Pronunciation: se-geum-eul nap-bu-ha-da
Meaning: To pay taxes -
Expression: 종합소득세 신고
Pronunciation: jong-hap-so-deuk-se sin-go
Meaning: Global income tax return (often for freelancers/business owners) -
Expression: 필요 서류
Pronunciation: pil-yo seo-ryu
Meaning: Required documents -
Expression: 홈택스 (Hometax)
Pronunciation: hom-taek-seu
Meaning: Hometax (The NTS online tax filing portal) -
Expression: 세금 계산서
Pronunciation: se-geum gye-san-seo
Meaning: Tax invoice -
Expression: 현금영수증
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-yeong-su-jeung
Meaning: Cash receipt (important for tax deductions) -
Expression: 세무 상담
Pronunciation: se-mu sang-dam
Meaning: Tax consultation
Asking About Taxes
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Expression: 세금 신고는 언제까지 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go-neun eon-je-kka-ji hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: By when do I need to file my taxes? -
Expression: 제가 내야 할 세금이 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: je-ga nae-ya hal se-geum-i eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much tax do I have to pay? -
Expression: 세금 환급은 언제 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-geum hwan-geup-eun eon-je ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I receive my tax refund? -
Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are needed? -
Expression: 세금 공제를 받으려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-geum gong-je-reul ba-deu-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What do I need to do to get a tax deduction? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 세무서가 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un se-mu-seo-ga eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest tax office? -
Expression: 홈택스 사용법 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: hom-taek-seu sa-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to use Hometax. -
Expression: 외국인도 연말정산을 하나요?
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do yeon-mal-jeong-san-eul ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do foreigners also do year-end tax settlement? -
Expression: 세무사 연결 좀 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: se-mu-sa yeon-gyeol jom bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Could you please connect me with a tax accountant? -
Expression: 이 소득은 과세 대상인가요?
Pronunciation: i so-deu-geun gwa-se dae-sang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this income taxable? -
Expression: 세금 관련해서 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: se-geum gwal-lyeon-hae-seo jil-mun-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have a question regarding taxes. -
Expression: 납부 기한을 놓치면 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: nap-bu gi-han-eul no-chi-myeon eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What happens if I miss the payment deadline?
Korean Culture Notes
Year-End Tax Settlement (연말정산 – yeon-mal-jeong-san): For salaried employees, this is a critical annual process (usually Jan-Feb) where final tax liability for the previous year is calculated based on income and various deductions. It often results in either a refund or additional payment. Gathering receipts and documents for deductions is essential.
Cash Receipts (현금영수증 – hyeon-geum-yeong-su-jeung): When paying in cash, always ask for a 현금영수증 by providing your phone number or a designated card. These receipts are electronically tracked and can significantly increase your deductions during the 연말정산.
Hometax (홈택스): The National Tax Service’s online portal (www.hometax.go.kr) is the primary platform for almost all tax-related activities, including filing returns, paying taxes, checking records, and issuing electronic tax invoices. Familiarity with Hometax is crucial for managing taxes in Korea, though it can be challenging for non-native speakers initially.
Tax Accountants (세무사 – se-mu-sa): For complex situations, especially for business owners, freelancers, or those with multiple income sources, hiring a tax accountant (세무사) is common and often recommended. They can navigate the intricate rules and ensure compliance.
Resident vs. Non-Resident Status: Tax obligations differ significantly based on whether you are classified as a tax resident or non-resident in Korea. Residency is generally determined by factors like having a domicile in Korea or residing in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year. Understanding your status is fundamental.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun is asking his colleague Jiwon about the year-end tax settlement process.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (Employee asking questions)
- B: Jiwon (More experienced colleague)
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Expression: A: 지원 씨, 연말정산 서류 준비는 다 하셨어요? 저는 뭐가 필요한지 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: ji-won ssi, yeon-mal-jeong-san seo-ryu jun-bi-neun da ha-syeot-seo-yo? jeo-neun mwo-ga pil-yo-han-ji jal mo-reu-get-seo-yo.
Meaning: Jiwon, have you finished preparing your documents for the year-end tax settlement? I’m not sure what I need. -
Expression: B: 아, 민준 씨. 네, 저는 거의 다 했어요. 보통 홈택스 연말정산 간소화 서비스에서 대부분 자료를 받을 수 있어요. 확인해 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: a, min-jun ssi. ne, jeo-neun geo-ui da haet-seo-yo. bo-tong hom-taek-seu yeon-mal-jeong-san gan-so-hwa seo-bi-seu-e-seo dae-bu-bun ja-ryo-reul ba-deul su it-seo-yo. hwa-gin-hae bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Ah, Minjun. Yes, I’m almost done. Usually, you can get most of the data from the Hometax year-end settlement simplification service. Have you checked it? -
Expression: A: 홈택스요? 아, 들어봤어요. 거기서 의료비나 보험료 납입 증명서 같은 것도 다 나오나요?
Pronunciation: hom-taek-seu-yo? a, deu-reo-bwat-seo-yo. geo-gi-seo ui-ryo-bi-na bo-heom-nyo na-bip jeung-myeong-seo ga-teun geot-do da na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: Hometax? Ah, I’ve heard of it. Does it provide things like medical expenses or insurance payment certificates too? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 신용카드 사용 내역, 현금영수증 내역, 의료비, 보험료, 교육비, 기부금 등등 많은 항목이 자동으로 조회돼요. 그래도 누락된 게 있을 수 있으니 직접 챙겨야 할 서류도 확인해야 하고요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. sin-yong-ka-deu sa-yong nae-yeok, hyeon-geum-yeong-su-jeung nae-yeok, ui-ryo-bi, bo-heom-nyo, gyo-yuk-bi, gi-bu-geum deung-deung ma-neun hang-mo-gi ja-dong-eu-ro jo-hoe-dwae-yo. geu-rae-do nu-rak-doen ge it-seul su it-seu-ni jik-jeop chaeng-gyeo-ya hal seo-ryu-do hwa-gin-hae-ya ha-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. Many items like credit card usage details, cash receipt details, medical expenses, insurance premiums, education expenses, donations, etc., are automatically retrieved. However, you still need to check for any missing documents you might need to provide yourself. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 혹시 도움이 필요하면 국세청 상담센터에 전화해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. hok-si do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon guk-se-cheong sang-dam-sen-teo-e jeon-hwa-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: I see. If I need help, can I call the National Tax Service call center? -
Expression: B: 네, 국번없이 126번으로 전화하면 상담받을 수 있어요. 외국인을 위한 영어 상담도 가능할 거예요.
Pronunciation: ne, guk-beon-eop-si il-i-yuk-beon-eu-ro jeon-hwa-ha-myeon sang-dam-ba-deul su it-seo-yo. oe-gu-gi-neul wi-han yeong-eo sang-dam-do ga-neung-hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you can call 126 (without an area code) for consultation. English consultation for foreigners should also be available.
Practice Tips
Understanding tax vocabulary is essential for anyone living and working in Korea! Try reviewing these terms regularly~ Use flashcards or practice saying the phrases aloud. Pay attention during tax season (especially 연말정산 time!) and try to identify these words in official documents or news articles. Don’t hesitate to ask questions using the phrases you learned if you need clarification from HR or a tax professional. Good luck navigating the Korean tax system! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
