Republic Of Korea Now One Of The World's Top Ten Business Environments

Online, February 9, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Republic of Korea is now one of the ten easiest countries in the world in which to do business, according to a recent World Bank survey.

The annual World Bank Doing Business report assesses regulations affecting domestic firms in 183 economies, ranking each on the basis of various criteria including ease of starting a business, insolvency resolution, cross-border trade and the ease (or otherwise) of paying taxes. Russell Bedford member firms have contributed to the report's Paying Taxes survey since 2009, with 51 member and correspondent firms contributing data for the 2012 report on tax regulation, compliance and the real tax burden on businesses and entrepreneurs.

This year's report, Doing Business 2012: Doing Business in a More Transparent World, ranks the Republic of Korea in eighth place in terms of overall ease of doing business - up seven places from its previous ranking at 15.

The report commends the country, in particular, for initiatives to reduce the compliance burden on businesses - reducing the time spent on tax submissions from 250 to 225 hours per year. The number of tax payments businesses are required to make is also decreased, from 14 to 12 . The report also cites recent initiatives to reduce the number of tax bases on which payments are applied. "Businesses in the Republic of Korea no longer need to calculate numerous taxes on the same base. Starting with the 2010 tax year, property taxes and city planning taxes are being merged with other taxes. And thanks to an effort aimed at unifying social security laws and administration, businesses can now file and pay 4 labor taxes and contributions jointly. This freed them from the requirement to file additional returns and bear additional tax compliance costs."

Kiwon Suh, partner in Russell Bedford member firm Cheon Ji Accounting Corporation, commented: "Korea's reputation as a business destination is well known, and it is satisfying to see this confirmed by the World Bank. The recent merging of several labour taxes, in particular, is a real boost for business ; we will continue to support any initiatives to ease the compliance burden, particularly on new and developing companies."

For further information, contact Kiwon Suh on +82 2 3700 2260 or Kempton Bedell-Harper on +44 20 7410 0339. Alternatively, visit the websites at www.cjac.kr and www.russellbedford.com .

Note to Editors

About Russell Bedford International

Established in 1983, Russell Bedford International is a global network of independent firms of accountants, auditors, tax advisers and business consultants.

Ranked amongst the world's leading accounting and audit networks, Russell Bedford is represented by some 460 partners, 5000 staff and 200 offices in more than 80 countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

All Russell Bedford affiliates are well-established firms offering international business advice and services to local and multinational clients. Most provide a full range of services comprising accounting, auditing, tax advice, general business guidance and financial consulting. In addition, many have special expertise in particular fields, such as international taxation or information technology.

In January 2008 Russell Bedford International was named one of the first 17 full members of the IFAC Forum of Firms after reporting it had implemented a globally coordinated quality assurance programme, committed to the use of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and met other specific ethics requirements.

Issued by:

Kempton Bedell-Harper
Marketing Director
Russell Bedford International
Russell Bedford House
250 City Road, London EC1V 2QQ
United Kingdom
T: +44 20 7410 0339
F: +44 20 7459 2337
E: info@russellbedford.com
W: www.russellbedford.com