Korea Tax Calendar 2026

Using Hometax (홈택스) in English: Visit hometax.go.kr and select "English" in the top-right corner. To log in, you need either a public authentication certificate (공동인증서) from your Korean bank, or you can use simple authentication (간편인증) via KakaoTalk, PASS, or banking apps. The English version covers basic filings including comprehensive income tax.

What Foreigners Need to File: If your only income is Korean salary, your employer handles tax through year-end settlement (연말정산). You must file separately if you have: freelance income, rental income, overseas income, capital gains, or income from multiple employers. Foreigners can choose a flat 19% tax rate on all Korean-source income instead of the progressive rate (6-45%) if it is more advantageous.

Key Deductions for Foreigners: You can deduct: national pension contributions (국민연금), health insurance premiums (건강보험료), housing rent (월세 세액공제, up to ₩750,000/year), education expenses, medical expenses exceeding 3% of income, and donations to registered charities. Credit/debit card spending over 25% of income also qualifies for deductions.

Penalties for Late Filing: Missing tax deadlines results in a 10-20% penalty on unpaid tax (무신고가산세) plus daily interest of approximately 0.022% (부납부가산세). If you voluntarily file late before the tax office contacts you, penalties are reduced. Always file on time even if you cannot pay the full amount - you can arrange installment payments.

Getting Help: For complex tax situations, hire a licensed tax accountant (세무사). Fees typically range from ₩100,000-300,000 for individual filing. Your local tax office (세무서) offers free consultation during filing seasons. The National Tax Service helpline (126) provides guidance in English.

Related Tools: Use our Tax Comparison Calculator to compare flat rate vs. progressive taxation, and our Salary Calculator to understand your take-home pay after taxes.