18 WEDNESDAY

APRIL 1, 2009 COMMUNITY

Expat Living is a section dedicated to

the daily living of expatriates. It is printed
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
To share stories about your life abroad,
send stories or story ideas to Matthew
Lamers at mattlamers@heraldm.com
Submissions may be edited for length
or clarity.

Take advantage
of tax savings
By Christopher Dykas
Although we have come
through the first quarter of 2009
already, it’s never too soon — or
too late — to think about next
year’s tax returns.
This article will explain two
simple ways to accumulate de-
ductions — and save you hun-
dreds of thousands of won —
simply by tracking the money
you already spend.
The easiest way to earn tax
refunds is by using your credit
card for making major purchas-
es. It should be noted that check
cards and normal bank account-
bank account transfers do not
count.
When you ask for a cash re-
ceipt, you present either a card,
or simply your phone number,
and the transaction is reported
directly to the tax office.
Registering for the cash re-
ceipt system online is surpris-
ingly easy, and the whole
process can be done in as little
as 10 minutes — assuming you
are a registered taxpayer. The
hardest part of the process is PHOTO CHALLENGE WINNER — Old meets new — Near Hwaseong, Suwon, old meets new in a traditional Korean guard tower. Reflected in the plastic of a CCTV camera, a
that the website is only avail- traditional guard post is monitored by a modern sentry. Derek Winchester
able in Korean.
What is a cash Smart shopping tip
receipt report?

To register, go to the National

To receive benefits from credit
card and cash receipt spending,
taxable individuals must spend
at least 20 percent of their in-
come in this manner. If total
credit card and cash receipt
spending surpasses this 20 per-
cent threshold, then taxpayers
receive a 20 percent deductible
tax benefit, up to a maximum
deduction of 5 million won.
To receive tax benefits, all you
have to do is print out your cash
receipt report (available online),
and any credit card year-end
statements, and submit them
with your tax forms when filing
for refunds.
What is a cash receipt?
While shopping for any num-
ber of goods in Korea, you may
have been asked before if you
would like a cash receipt. The
cash receipt system is not an
actual paper receipt, but rather
an electronic method to track
sales tax. Many businesses at-
tempt to evade taxes on cash
transactions, so to encourage
legal transactions, the govern-
ment initiated a tax incentive
program by which consumers
are encouraged to help track
sales tax when shopping.
Tax Service’s website at
www.taxsave.go.kr. Look for a
login prompt on the left side
with a picture of what looks like
a credit card. Beneath this cred-
it card are three links, the first
of which is the registration link.
Click there, and you will be tak-
en to an explanation page that
prompts you to select your form
of registration: on the left is the
method for consumers, and on
the right, business owners.
Next, click on “I agree,” and you
will be taken to the page where
you input your personal infor-
mation.
The final step is to simply
confirm your method of entering
each payment within the sys-
tem. The first option is to have a
card issued and sent to you.
Perhaps the easiest way, howev-
er, is to simply use your tele-
phone number. Click on your de-
sired option, and you are set to
use the cash receipt system.
For more information on
these benefits, call the SGC hot-
line at 1688-0120 for both tax
and consumer consulting.
To comment on this article, e-
mail mattlamers@heraldm.com.
To contact the author, e-mail
cdykas@sba.seoul.kr — Ed.
When shopping for something, especially clothes or electronics, you
might be offered a discount. They either explicitly say, “if you pay in
In focus: Don’t be automatic
cash, we’ll give you 20 percent off” or when you take out your card they
The Photo Challenge is spon-
say, “if you want to pay with your card, I can’t give you a discount.”
sored by Hyosung Camera
What this really means is, “If you pay with a card, this sale gets report-
ed to the government, and then I’ll have to pay taxes, and I’m trying to
(English: 010-7203-9599) and
keep my reported income as low as possible.”
Babo Shirts (www.baboshirts.c
om). Winners of the weekly com-
petition receive a 50,000 won
store credit at Hyosung Camera
and a Babo Shirt. To take part
in the competition, simply upload
your photo at www.flickr.com/
groups/seoulphotoclub — Ed.
By Aaron Raisey
I was relaxing, having a coffee
on Saturday afternoon in a coffee
shop near Insadong in Seoul,
when I noticed the number of
cameras that people had. Of
course, photography is very pop-
ular these days and there are
more cameras around than there
have ever been before, but for
some reason it really hit me how
many people had DSLRs.
There seemed to be at least
one at every table — no exagger-
ation. I decided to try and unob-
trusively check the dial on the
top the cameras to see what set-
tings people were using. I was
surprised.
The reason I was surprised
when I noted the settings of the
many cameras I saw was that
the vast majority of them were
set to one of the several auto-
matic modes of shooting that
are available. I thought that if
so many people are using their
DSLRs in this way, they could
have saved a bit of money and
bought nice little point and
shoot cameras.
Any camera that allows you
to control as many aspects of an
image in the way an SLR cam-
era — film or digital — does is a
very powerful creative tool.
However, access to this creativi-
ty can only be unlocked if you
get out of Automatic mode.
Operating a camera in one of
the various Auto modes can be
convenient, but the difference
between a DSLR set to Auto and
a point and shoot is not very
much. The huge advantage a
DSLR has over a point and
shoot though, is the creativity it
allows you through the various
degrees of manual setting.
You can create beautifully
blurred backgrounds in portraits
in Aperture Priority mode, or
capture a dynamic action shot
with the use of motion blur using
Shutter Priority, or produce
stunningly lit night images with
the longer exposures available in
purely manual mode.
The ability of a point-and-
shoot camera to capture pho-
tographs of this nature is quite
limited, so don’t limit your cre-
ativity behind your DSLR by
leaving that dial stuck on Auto.
In the next couple of columns,
we’ll look in more detail at the
various manual modes on a
camera and the creativity you
can take advantage of.
I just want to hark back to
something I said earlier. I men-
tioned that access to greater
creativity could be enabled by
using a camera’s Manual mode,
I didn’t suggest the ability to
take better pictures would be
unlocked. The route to better
pictures is through the photog-
rapher, not the camera.
There is a difference between
being creative and being better.
This is why good photographers
can usually produce good photos
no matter what gear they are
using. One of the benefits of the
Seoul Photo Club on Flickr is
that members help develop each
other’s photography by posting
constructive feedback, opinions
and getting constant exposure
to great photos from other mem-
bers.
So, don’t be automatic and get
out there.
(raisey@hanmail.net)

Community Bulletin Board

To apply for a free ad, send your All ads must be under 40 words
in English and commercial ads
ad text to: hnpark@heraldm.com are not acceptable.

English speaking abilities need-
Announcements ed for volunteer support. Please
visit www.alwayshope.or.kr.
jinyo@hanmail.net ’m Korean male living in retired from school teacher and Sat & Sun at 2 pm ~ 5:30 pm at
herlock Holmes Club will
I Seongnam and 34 years old. can help you. Gender or age Sports Samgakji sta. near Itaewon. All
nationalities are welcome. E-
Korean classes

T he Pakistan Tourism
Development Corporation
(PTDC) has put tourism related
information in Korean language
on PTDC website
www.tourism.gov.pk for the
benefit of intending Korean
tourists/visitors. If interested,
visit the website for further in-
formation.
HE OLD PATH Program
T hosted by the Most
Sensible Christian Preacher in
our Time is now in South
Korea. To listen for free Bible
Expositions of Brother Eli
Soriano, please call 010-3144-
2561, 010-3004-0817
NTV Korea introduces its
U new websites featuring
24/7 Bible Expositions of the
Most Sensible Religious
Preacher in our Times.
www.imeem.com/untvkorea ,
www.esoriano.wordpress.com
H Toastmasters is a fun,
K supportive environment to
learn public speaking and lead-
ership skills. We meet 8 pm
every Tuesday in Hyehwa.
Guests always welcome. Find a
map of our meeting location
and contact information at:
khtoastmasters.com
A nyone who have the prob-
lems of spinal balance and
related joints & muscle pain
Free Chiropractic consultation
and Normal Posture eudcation
Member of KCA , Near at
Kangnam sub App Call 010-
9170-3544
1 00% Free Language
Exchange Community, han-
lingo.com, invites you to meet
our great members learning
your language. If you are learn-
ing a new language esp.
Korean, please check us out at
http://www.hanlingo.com
S meet every second Tuesday
day at Itaewon, 7.30pm. (Venue
to be announced) A story from
the canon, a short talk on
Holmesiana, a Holmes quiz,
and a Holmes movie: serious-
fun. Email Morrison at
morry_lee@yahoo.com.au, or
phone 010-6376-3965.
Personals
am a Spanish woman fluent in
I Korean language and also in
English, offer my service as an
interpreter for Spanish speak-
ing people in Korea. I also do
Spanish & English languages
tutorial. Call 010-3040-6101
I’m a 24 year old Korean
American male. Looking for a
female language exchange
partner to help me improve my
Korean or a friend that can
show me around Seoul. Text
me at 010-7218-2422
I’d like to make foreign friends
speaking English fluently who
want to exchange culture and
language. Gender or age does-
n’t matter. Please contact me.
011 9619 7409.
2 7 years old Black African
guy living in Seoul and
Deagu English only looking fe-
male Korean or foreigner for
culture exchange. E-mail:
kato..waswa@yahoo.com
I want to offer free English con-
versation and tutor during my
free time. My purpose is to help
and for friendship. You may
contact me at my email ad;
fernzbay_01@yahoo.com or
call me at 010-8525-8294.
3-year-old Korean male is
3 looking for native English
speakers for friendship and cul-
ture exchange. E-male: sjlee-
wotis.co.kr
Korean handsome guy
doesn’t matter. Please e-mail
me at; seok36@hanmail.net
Korean woman is looking for
A a native Japanese speaking
friend for language and culture
exchange. If interested, please
email to boksiri@gmail.com
Iam looking for English conver-
sation parter. If anyone want, I
can offer one room in my APT
(FREE), hwagokdong located.
My company is KBS in yeouido.
ckj321@kbs.co.kr. 010-3213-
3771
ant to learn free Korean
W with a high educated, cute
and friendly university student?
I live in Shin-Chon and looking
for native English speakers for
friendship. We can have beer
while we study! Feel free to
Email me or text me
01194212548, paper18@han-
mail.net
I nternational badminton club
looking for new foreign mem-
bers. Competitive (top class
level) players preferred, we play
on Sat, Sunday near Chamsil
lotte world 2-6 P.M. If interested
send me email for more infor-
mation hello69@hanmail.net
I ’m an English professor who
loves playing rackets sports
and is looking for a partner.
Whether it is squash, badminton
or tennis, if you like to play then
let me know and let’s have a
game. I live in Seoul. Age, gen-
der or nationality does not mat-
ter. Look forward to hearing from
you. 011 9990 4291
W e are looking for an expe-
rienced bilingual writer
who can write English pas-
sages for high school reading
books. Contact: dori527@han-
mail.net (Kumsung Publishing
Company at Mapo-gu, Seoul)
mail to tm3ym@hotmail.com /
010 3078 1433
Wanted
apanese Female looking for
J a room for 3-6 months in
Seoul, Line 2 or 7 from April 1.
Prefer flat share in furnished
spacious apartment. Willing to
pay up to KWR 7,000,000 per
month. based on condition.
Shoot email to amekurin@ya-
hoo.co.jp
’m looking for a foreigner
Iteacher who can teach
English. It’s a part time job.
Once in a week. Gwan ak
gu,Sin-won dong. Please E-mail
me. vickyjjang@hotmail.com
H yundai Sonata New EF
2002 Model, 90,000 kms,
black color, leather seats in
mint condition. Great offer
$5,000. Contact 01041624188
F ree Korean teacher avail-
able, 27 male in Seoul. 6
years experience teaching
Korean in English from basic to
advanced. Purpose: Make good
friends. Cell: 010-2029-2677 E-
mail: jetasd @hot mail.com
e invite you for FREE
W Korean, hindi, Indian
Music Instrument classes from
4pm every Sunday at
Haebongchondong. For direc-
tions and details on Sunday
program visit www.krishnako-
rea.com or call 010-2448-6441.
W e invite you to Language
Exchange Club (LEC),
the multilingual exchange club.
You can make many friends,
learn various cultures & lan-
guages, enjoy outdoor activi-
ties as well as learn Korean
language. Please come to
Starbucks in Myung-dong at 5
p.m. on Sundays. E-mail to
Song : discgolf@naver.com

O pportunity to spread hope

want to share my life, culture
A looking for Filipina who live
H i, I’m 21 year old Chinese
American fluent in English. K ung-fu club is looking for
or polindseoul@kornet.net

and change lives. HOPE, a

non-profit organization led and
managed by foreign English
teachers is looking for volun-
teers. Native English speakers
wanted for weekly volunteer op-
portunities working with under-
privileged children. Koreans with
D o you enjoy popping
dance!? Come join
Culcom b-boys! You are not
charged anything but offered a
chance to make friends and a
gathering place! Feel free to
join us! Free beer will be
served. 019-301-7512 hee-
Ifor friendship with native
English speakers. I’m 33 yeas
old guy who live in Chuncheon.
Gender, age doesn’t matter.
Please contact me Email:
dooleee@hanmail.net mobile
010-9556-1324
in Seoul. I stayed in CEBU in
the Philippines. Please connect
me. corea@nemosoft.co.kr
010-3253-3936
D o you want to learn Korean
language and culture? I’m
Korean male, living in Seoul,
This is my first time in Seoul.
Looking for female Korean lan-
guage exchange partner or
friend to show me around
Seoul. I’m an exchange stu-
dent at Yonsei University. Text
01080507149
new foreign members in
Seoul. If you are interested,
please call at 019-826-1980
rirang Taekwondo Club is
A looking for new members in-
terested in Taekwondo and cul-
tural exchange. Class is every
W e’re looking for a bilingual
writer who has a lot of ex-
perience of editing or para-
phrasing passages for Korean
students. Work three times a
week, 3 hours each time. do-
radora527@hotmail.com 011-
9933-4130
S ookmyung Korean educa-
tion volunteers. 4 levels for
beginner to high intermediate,
once a week for 2 hours on
every Saturday from 15:00 to
17:00, at social education
building in Sookmyung
Women’s Univ. 02-710-9623