Feeling Overwhelmed by Income Tax & VAT Filing? A Complete Guide to Solving It with Free Tax Consultation

As the comprehensive income tax and value-added tax (VAT) filing season approaches, self-employed individuals and sole proprietors often share the same concerns: “Is it okay to file on my own through Hometax?” “Am I missing any deductions or tax credits?”

If hiring a tax accountant feels too expensive, but filing alone makes you uneasy, a practical alternative is to use the “free tax consultation programs” operated by the government and local governments.

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What Is the Free Tax Consultation Program?

The free tax consultation program is a public service provided by the government and local authorities to ensure that taxpayers can receive basic tax guidance without bearing the cost of hiring a tax accountant.

The two most commonly used services are: ① Free consultations with “Village Tax Accountants” and ② Local government tax filing support consultations.

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① Village Tax Accountant Program – Convenient Local Support

The Village Tax Accountant Program is jointly operated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and local governments. Local tax accountants volunteer their expertise to provide free tax consultations to residents.

Although the program was designed primarily for small-scale self-employed individuals, micro-business owners, and middle-aged or senior citizens, a major advantage is that anyone can use the service without income or asset restrictions.

Topics You Can Consult About

Through a village tax accountant, you can receive guidance on:

- Procedures for filing comprehensive income tax and VAT
- Classification of business income, other income, and earned income
- Eligibility requirements for basic deductions, tax credits, and tax reductions
- Key precautions before filing through Hometax

Consultations are mainly conducted via phone or email, and depending on the region, in-person consultations at community centers or district offices may also be available.

Lists and contact details of village tax accountants in your area can be found on your local city, county, or district office website, or on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s official website.

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② Local Government Tax Filing Support – Focused Help During Filing Season

During May, when comprehensive income tax filings peak, many local governments operate temporary tax filing support consultation services.

These services do not file taxes on your behalf. Instead, they focus on step-by-step guidance, helping taxpayers complete their own filings correctly.

Main Support Services

- Confirmation of whether you are required to file
- Guidance on documents you need to prepare
- Instructions on how to enter information for electronic filing via Hometax
- Common mistakes and important points to watch out for

This program is especially helpful for middle-aged and older taxpayers unfamiliar with electronic filing and solo self-employed individuals.

Some local governments also provide on-site consultation desks at city or district offices, as well as phone and online consultations, specifically for simplified filing 대상자 (eligible simplified filers) who received advance notices.

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Important Points to Check Before Using These Services

Free tax consultations provide basic tax guidance only. They do not handle complex tax adjustments or represent taxpayers in large-scale tax disputes.

In addition, since operating periods, methods, and eligibility vary by local government, it is important to check announcements on your local city, county, or district office website or through the relevant tax department in advance.

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Don’t Struggle Alone—Use Available Public Services

The more you delay or handle income tax and VAT filings carelessly, the greater the risk of penalties and disadvantages.

If hiring a tax accountant feels burdensome, actively use the free tax consultation programs to reduce anxiety before filing, avoid missing valuable deductions, and complete your tax return safely and with confidence.