How do you file taxes in South Korea in 2026?

If you work for a Korean company, HR usually collects housing, insurance, education, and card-spending receipts each December for 연말정산 (year-end settlement). The employer recalculates withholding tax and issues a settlement certificate you can download through Hometax. Keep your Residence Card details aligned with payroll, because mismatched registration addresses delay certificates.

Freelancers, sole proprietors, rental landlords, and mixed overseas earners register a business or individual tax file, then submit value-added tax or comprehensive income returns on NTS deadlines. Verify whether your visa status allows the activity before you register; immigration status and tax registration are linked in audits even though the portals look separate.

Create a Hometax account with real-name verification, often tied to a Korean mobile certificate or public certificate once banking and phone setup exist. Use open a bank account early because refunds and payments route through Korean financial institutions. NTS publishes English summaries, but live screens remain Korean-heavy; phone support and paid tax agents are common for first-year filers.

Resident taxpayers generally declare worldwide income, while non-residents report Korean-source income only. Treaty-based foreign tax credits need certificates from the other country; keep payment proof rather than assuming automatic credit. National Health Insurance premiums and employment insurance show up as deductions or separate bills; reconcile them with choose health insurance records so Hometax matches NHIS data.

Arrival-year splits confuse many expats. Income earned before becoming a tax resident may fall under different reporting rules than salary paid after foreigner registration. Mid-year movers between Seoul and a provincial assignment should update address on Hometax the same month they register address.

Late filing triggers penalties and can affect visa renewals when immigration asks for tax compliance proof. Store PDF confirmations from Hometax after each submission and add the step to paperwork after moving.