Local Tax Refunds Now Accessible via KakaoTalk...

Operation of 'KakaoTalk Local Tax Refund Application Service' for Gwangjin-gu Residents... Customized Refund Guidance in Chinese and English for Foreigners

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is operating the ‘KakaoTalk Local Tax Refund Application Service,’ which allows residents to easily claim refunds for overpaid local taxes.

The district has designated the period until May 31 as the comprehensive local tax unclaimed refund cleanup period and is actively promoting the service by sending refund notices to ensure taxpayers can claim their unclaimed local tax refunds within the deadline.

Local tax unclaimed refunds mainly occur due to national tax corrections, automobile tax prepayments followed by ownership transfers, etc., and must be claimed within five years of occurrence.

To apply for a refund, add the ‘Gwangjin-gu Local Tax Refund’ channel on KakaoTalk, then send the refund number, name, and the account information under the applicant’s name via 1:1 chat.

In addition to KakaoTalk, applications can also be made through Wetax, the Seoul etax system, ARS phone, text message, or mail.

Furthermore, the district has opened refund application menus in Chinese and English on KakaoTalk to enable foreign residents in the area to easily apply for refunds and has produced and sent customized local tax refund notices.

District Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “Currently, there are a total of 3,497 unclaimed local tax refunds worth approximately 192 million KRW that residents have not yet claimed. Since refunds can be easily applied for through various methods, we hope residents will claim them as soon as possible.”

Taxpayers can also donate their local tax refunds to neighbors in need. If taxpayers fill out a donation application and send it via text message or KakaoTalk, or apply through the internet or ARS, the refund will be delivered to the Community Chest of Korea’s Fruit of Love, and they can receive income tax deductions during year-end tax settlement.