How remote bookkeeping works in Korea: from sharing documents to filing

For foreign nationals: some of these rules apply differently depending on whether you are a resident or a non-resident for Korean tax purposes. Check your residency status before relying on this article.

With remote bookkeeping, you hand over your books and filings without visiting an office, exchanging documents by KakaoTalk or email. The firm pulls tax invoices, card and cash receipt data directly from Hometax (홈택스) with your approval, so you only send bank statements and the expenses and payroll changes that Hometax does not capture. The work is the same as in-person bookkeeping.

Remote bookkeeping step by step

Step	What happens
1. Consultation	Tell the firm your business type, revenue size, number of employees and the services you need, by KakaoTalk, email or inquiry form
2. Document review	Send the documents the firm needs, such as past filings and books, so the scope of work can be confirmed
3. Fee quote and contract	Receive a fee quote that fits the scope of work, then sign
4. Hometax approval	The firm registers as your agent in Hometax, then you approve it
5. Monthly routine	The firm pulls the Hometax data, and you send only the missing documents
6. Filing and results	You receive the filing results and related documents such as returns and payment slips

Data the firm pulls directly from Hometax

After you approve the firm as your agent, it looks up the following data itself, so you do not need to send it.

Electronic tax invoices and electronic invoices (sales and purchases)
Business credit card transactions registered in Hometax
Cash receipts (sales and purchases)
Card sales and past filing records

If you register your business credit card in Hometax and ask suppliers for electronic tax invoices, the number of documents you have to send drops sharply.

What you send: items Hometax does not capture

Item	How to send
Business bank account statements	Download as Excel or PDF from your banking app and send
Simple receipts and cash expenses	Take a photo and send
Cash sales and overseas payment sales	Send the sales file or settlement statement
Employee hiring, resignation and payroll changes	Send the changed dates and amounts by message
Large purchases (equipment, interior work, vehicles)	Send the contract and tax invoice

Rather than sending everything at once in January, May and July, when filings pile up, send on a set day each month. This keeps the books from falling behind and makes it easier to estimate your tax before filing.

What to check when hiring remotely

Contact channel and reply speed: Who you contact, through which channel, and how quickly they answer questions
Pre-filing notice: Whether the firm tells you the expected tax before filing
Scope of work: Whether VAT, withholding tax and four major social insurance are included in the bookkeeping fee, and whether the year-end closing and filing fee (adjustment fee, 조정료) is charged separately

When you can do it yourself · When to hand it over

You can handle it yourself if

Almost all your sales and expenses appear in Hometax, and you have used the Hometax filing screens before

Better to hand it over if

You have no time to visit an office, and prefer sending documents as photos or files
You have transactions Hometax does not capture, such as cash sales, overseas payments or employee payroll
Your business is outside the city, and you want a firm that is easy to reach rather than one nearby

Barun Tax & Accounting handles remote bookkeeping and filings for foreign residents and foreign-owned companies anywhere in Korea. We reply to emails within one business day. contact@barun-tax.com · KakaoTalk · +82-10-2701-6199

Frequently asked questions

Does remote bookkeeping cover the same work as in-person bookkeeping?

Yes. The work is the same: keeping the books and filing VAT, withholding tax, and comprehensive income tax or corporate tax. Only the way you exchange documents changes, to KakaoTalk or email. The firm pulls tax invoice, card and cash receipt data directly from Hometax with your approval, so you do not need to visit.

What do I need to send each month?

Only what Hometax does not capture. Typical items are business bank account statements, simple receipts and cash expenses, cash and overseas sales, and employee hiring, resignation and payroll changes.

Can I hire a firm if my business is outside the city?

Yes. Documents are exchanged online, so the process works the same wherever your business is located.

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This article is general guidance based on Korean tax law as of the date written. It is not tax advice for your specific situation. Please consult us before acting on it.

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