Korean Tax Blog

Do Foreign Business Owners Have to Pay Income Tax in Advance in November? “I run a business in Korea. Why am I being asked to pay income tax in November?” If you are a foreign individual business owner in Korea, you may need to check whether Korean Income Tax Interim Prepayment applies to you. This is separate from the regular Comprehensive Income Tax filing that generally takes place in May. What Is Income Tax Interim Prepayment? Korea operates an interim prepayment system f

Can Foreign Employees Claim Tax Deductions for Family Members Living Overseas? “My spouse, parents, or children live outside Korea. Can I still claim them during my Korean year-end tax settlement?” In some cases, yes. Foreign employees who are Korean tax residents may be able to claim certain deductions for qualifying family members even when those family members live overseas. Living outside Korea does not automatically prevent a family member from qualifying for a deduction

Do Foreign Property Owners Have to Pay Comprehensive Real Estate Tax in Korea? “I own property in Korea. Could I be subject to Korea’s Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax?” If you are a foreigner who owns residential property in Korea, Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax may be something you need to check. Being a foreign national does not automatically exempt you from this tax. Under Korean law, liability is generally connected to ownership of taxable property in Korea a

Beware of Fake Korean Tax Emails About Cryptocurrency “Did you receive an email claiming to be from Korea’s National Tax Service about cryptocurrency taxes?” Be careful before clicking any links or opening attachments. Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS) has warned taxpayers about phishing emails impersonating the tax authority and referring to virtual asset taxation. Some fraudulent emails have been sent with titles suggesting that the recipient needs to provide information o

Can Foreigners Get Their Korean National Pension Back When Leaving Korea? “I paid into Korea’s National Pension while working here. Can I get that money back when I leave Korea?” For some foreign workers, the answer is yes. Foreigners who have contributed to Korea’s National Pension may be eligible to receive a Lump-sum Refund when leaving Korea, but eligibility is not the same for everyone. It can depend on factors such as nationality, international social security agreement

Do Foreign Workers Get Severance Pay in Korea? “I am a foreign worker in Korea. Can I receive severance pay when I leave my job?” Yes. Foreign workers may also be entitled to severance pay in Korea if they meet the legal requirements. Being a foreign national does not by itself exclude you from Korea’s severance pay protections. Who Can Receive Severance Pay? In general, severance pay may apply when an employee: Has worked continuously for at least one year Has an average sch

Do Foreigners Have to Pay Inheritance Tax in Korea? “I inherited property or money connected to Korea. Do I have to pay inheritance tax?” Foreigners can also become involved in Korean inheritance tax when they inherit money, real estate, stocks, or other assets connected to Korea. Whether Korean inheritance tax applies is not determined simply by nationality. The deceased person’s tax residency and the location of the inherited property are important factors. When Can Korean

Do Foreigners Have to Pay Gift Tax in Korea? “My family sent me money from overseas. Do I have to pay gift tax in Korea?” If you are a foreigner living in Korea, money or property received from family members may, in some cases, be subject to Korean gift tax. Being a foreigner does not automatically exempt you from gift tax. Whether tax applies can depend on factors such as your residency status, the type of property received, and your relationship with the person giving the

Can Foreign Employees Get Tax Benefits for Rent and Mortgage Interest in Korea? “I work in Korea and pay rent or mortgage interest. Can I get a tax benefit?” If you are a foreign employee working in Korea, you may be eligible for certain housing-related tax benefits when filing your year-end tax settlement. Two important benefits are monthly rent tax credits and mortgage interest income deductions. Monthly Rent Tax Credit Foreign employees who meet the requirements may be eli

Annual Paid Leave in Korea: What Foreign Workers Should Know “I work in Korea. How many paid vacation days am I entitled to?” If you are a foreign employee working in Korea, you may be entitled to annual paid leave under Korean labor law. Knowing how annual leave works can help you understand your rights as an employee. How Many Annual Leave Days Can You Get? Generally, an employee who has worked for one year and has an attendance rate of at least 80% is entitled to 15 days o