Managing your taxes in South Korea can sometimes feel like a mystery, so welcome to my new series for those struggling to understand the Korean income tax system and how it applies to them. Let’s begin by talking about how to get your Korean tax refunds by filing your taxes in May.
You can refile Your taxes
Did you know you can get more money back from your taxes, even after you have already filed them? In South Korea, workers can refile or adjust their income tax in May to try and increase their refund. This process is called 종합소득세 정산 (jong-hap so-deuk-se jeong-san), and apps like 쌈쩜쌈 (ssamzzumssam) make it much easier.
Let’s walk through refiling in May, how it works with 쌈쩜쌈, and why you might want to try it, especially if you might have missed tax credits or deductions the first time. Since the office staff at your work is trying to get your taxes done fast, it’s very likely they missed out on deductions.
What Is “Tax Adjustment” in May?
Even though most workers in Korea have taxes automatically taken from their paycheck and filed by their employers in January, sometimes things get missed, like:
- Medical costs
- Tuition or child care
- Money given to parents or children
- Insurance payments
- Donations
- Rent
If you forgot to include these during the 연말정산 (year-end tax adjustment) in January or February, you can try again in May! This second chance is part of the national tax system and is available to both Korean citizens and foreigners working in Korea. It’s worth the effort to check for free using the 쌈쩜쌈 App
What Is the 쌈쩜쌈 App?
쌈쩜쌈 is a free app (available only in Korean) that helps you check if you’re owed extra Korean tax refunds. It connects directly to the Hometax system (the official National Tax Service website) and uses your records to:
- Look for missed deductions or credits
- Suggest what you can refile
- Submit your updated tax form (with just a few clicks)
Even if you already filed, 쌈쩜쌈 can refile or submit a 경정청구 (tax correction request) on your behalf.
💡 Note: You’ll need your 인증서 (digital certificate) to use the app. If you don’t have it yet, you can apply through your bank.
How I started Using the 쌈쩜쌈 App
When I am bored, I will go through my bank app and look at the different services being advertised there. While reading through the offers, I came across the 쌈쩜쌈 app, and they said I might have 300,000 KRW in refunds owed to me over the last few years. This seemed like a trap and possibly a scam, so of course I had to see if it worked.
I downloaded the app, it said the government owed me quite a lot in refunds, I clicked a lot of buttons that I didn’t fully understand, and a few weeks later, all that money was deposited into my bank account. In fact, I ended up receiving around 476,000 KRW in refunds for 2018, 2019, and 2020. That’s right. I refiled my taxes from yesteryear.
Now, if my process for first using 쌈쩜쌈 sounds foolish and uninformed, you would be a smart person who judges the situation accurately. At that time, I just blindly gave all my information to an app and wasn’t even certain why. Obviously, I had some context clues and my bank recommended it, but it was pretty much just blind faith that something good could happen. Thankfully, my bank recommended a reliable, affordable, and relatively easy-to-use service.
After doing more research into the app, I am now a 쌈쩜쌈 super fan and recommend it to other international residents.
Why This Matters for You
Getting your full refund means more money in your pocket. For families, students, or people with extra health expenses, even ₩100,000–₩500,000 KRW can make a big difference.
Also, some people don’t know that foreigners on work visas are usually eligible for many of the same deductions, like housing, family support, and even overseas tuition, if the paperwork is submitted properly. This means the folks at your job aren’t finding all the possible refunds available to you. Not out of malice, they just don’t know, but the 쌈쩜쌈 app does.
Who Can Benefit Most?
This process is especially helpful for:
- Foreign workers who weren’t sure what deductions were allowed
- People with high medical bills or supporting family members with disabilities
- International teachers or contractors who didn’t file year-end taxes correctly
- Anyone living with a chronic illness or disability who paid high out-of-pocket costs
Is It Safe?
Yes, but only if you use trusted apps like 쌈쩜쌈, which are approved by Korean banks and the National Tax Service. Honestly, I had no idea if it was safe when I tried it, but now I understand how it works better and feel much better about my choices. You’ll need to log in using your bank certificate, so make sure to protect your password and only use the official app.
⚠️ Avoid using third-party services that ask for your Hometax login directly. Use apps that connect securely, like 쌈쩜쌈, or file yourself on www.hometax.go.kr (Korean only).
Tip: Use a Translator Tool
This app is NOT in English in a big way. Since 쌈쩜쌈 is in Korean only, use a tool like:
- Papago app
- Google Translate camera
- ChatGPT (with screenshot and translation help)
These can help you read the instructions and understand what the app is doing. Having a person there who speaks Korean can also help.
How to Use 쌈쩜쌈 to Refile
These are very reductive directions, and there will be more hurdles than this, but here is an overview of what to expect when applying for your Korean tax refunds.
- Download 쌈쩜쌈 from the Korean app store (iOS or Android)
- Log in with your bank certificate (you need a Korean bank account) this can be the hardest part. I use my Kakao account to do this to make things easier.
- Click ‘정산하기’ (do tax adjustment). The truth is, this could have a different name sometimes, depending on whether they changed the app. Use Papago to find something close to this.
- The app scans your history and suggests corrections. This felt particularly terrifying, but I just pushed through.
- Review the suggestions and click “제출” (submit). Felt like I was going to go to jail, but I just kept going and didn’t end up in jail.
- Done! The tax office will review it and send you a message if they accept it.
- The tax offices will return your money to your bank account. I received notifications when this occurred. Felt surreal.
Virtual Waiting Room
If you wait to file until May, you may end up in a virtual waiting room. Don’t panic, the app will give you a waiting number and let you know when you can file. This is done to manage the increased user load during the prime filing month. It’s a clever way of managing their servers and meeting their users’ needs.
Important Dates
- Refiling is allowed in May every year
- The earlier you file, the sooner you can get your refund
- Refunds usually arrive in 1–3 months
Cost for the Service
The 쌈쩜쌈 app uses a performance-based pricing model, which means you only pay if you get a refund. This was why it seemed like a scam to me but they truly followed their pricing model. Here’s a breakdown of the cost:
쌈쩜쌈 Service Fees (2024–2025)
| Refund Amount | Service Fee |
|---|---|
| ₩0 – ₩50,000 | Free (No charge at all) |
| ₩50,001 and above | 10% of your refund (VAT included) |
Example:
If your refund is ₩200,000, the service fee will be ₩20,000.
You will receive ₩180,000 directly to your account.
No Upfront Payment
- You can use the app to check your refund potential for free.
- You only pay if you submit your corrected taxes through the app and receive a refund.
You are not required to continue with the process if you don’t want to pay the service fee. You can stop before submitting and use the suggestions to file manually on the Hometax website for free (if you’re comfortable with Korean).
There were no surprises. The fee seemed VERY reasonable considering how easy they made it and how impossible it would be for me to get my Korean tax refunds on my own.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve worked in Korea and paid taxes, you deserve every won of your tax refunds. May is your chance to check again, correct mistakes, and take care of yourself and your family. Apps like 쌈쩜쌈 make it possible, even if Korean isn’t your first language.
Taking the time to refile can be worth it. And if you help someone else refile, too? That’s money well-spent in your community. Go get your Korean tax refunds!!!
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
