South Korea tax rates
The top rates a resident individual pays on each kind of income, computed by the Sovereign tax engine from its South Korea tax profile.
Tier 2 — every figure has an accepted source; some rest on a PwC / Deloitte / KPMG / EY summary (marked †). Sources last checked 7 November 2026. Figures last changed 3 November 2026. Profile last reviewed 27 May 2026.
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| Salary | Capital gains | Dividends | Interest | Rent | Crypto gains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 49.95% | 22%† | 15.4%† | 15.4%† | 49.5%† | 0% |
† This figure rests on a PwC tax summary, not on the statute itself. The summary is the only source on file for it.
Each figure is the tax on one more unit of a very large amount of that income, with every layer the engine models: surtaxes and uncapped social contributions included. It is the top marginal rate, not the average rate you pay on all your income.
What is the top income tax rate in South Korea?
The top rate on a salary is 49.95%. It is the tax on each extra unit of a very high salary, with surtaxes and uncapped social contributions included. The income tax scale alone reaches 45% above KRW 1,000,000,000.
How are capital gains taxed in South Korea?
The top rate on a long-term capital gain is 22%. The rate does not depend on how long you held the asset.
How are dividends and interest taxed in South Korea?
The top rate is 15.4% on dividends and 15.4% on interest. Rental income is taxed at up to 49.5%.
How is crypto taxed in South Korea?
South Korea taxes a gain on crypto assets as a capital gain, and our model computes 0% tax on it.
Does South Korea tax foreign income?
Yes. South Korea taxes its residents on their worldwide income. A tax treaty or a credit for foreign tax can reduce the tax on income from abroad.
Does South Korea have a wealth tax?
No. South Korea has no recurring national tax on net wealth in our model. Property taxes and taxes on gifts or inheritances are separate.
Does South Korea have an exit tax for individuals?
Yes. South Korea can tax unrealised gains, or some of them, when a resident individual moves abroad. The conditions depend on the asset and the holding.
What special tax regimes does South Korea have?
Our profiles list 2 regimes: Foreign Worker Flat Tax (19%) (up to 20 years); Foreign Engineer/Researcher Tax Exemption (up to 5 years) — information only; not numerically modelled. Each has its own conditions.
When do you become tax resident in South Korea?
The South Korea day test (domicile or 183 days of residence): 183 days in one tax year, or a continuous 183 days across two years. The current law uses 183 days. An older English tax-authority page still says one year. Household, assets and purpose of stay need review.
Residence decides whether South Korea taxes you on these rates. See the South Korea day-count test and count your own days.
Sources
The South Korea profile cites 8 sources for these rules, 8 of them from a government or a statute.
- 소득세법 제55조 (세율) - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 보건복지부 - 국민연금 (연금보험료 부과 및 징수) · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 국민건강보험법 시행령 제44조, 국민건강보험법 제76조, 월별 건강보험료액의 상한과 하한에 관한 고시 (보건복지부고시 제2025-222호) - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 노인장기요양보험법 제9조, 같은 법 시행령 제4조 - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 고용보험 및 산업재해보상보험의 보험료징수 등에 관한 법률 제13조, 같은 법 시행령 제12조 - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 소득세법 제51조의3 (연금보험료공제), 제52조 (특별소득공제) - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 지방세법 제92조 (세율) - 국가법령정보센터 · official, retrieved 2026-10-23
- 거주자의 가상자산소득 과세 개요 · official, retrieved 2026-11-03
The model covers the general rules for a resident individual. It does not cover every deduction, credit, tax treaty or local tax, and rules change after the check date above. Did you find an error? Tell us, with the source.
Compare South Korea with other countries
Top rates do not show what you would pay. Sovereign applies these rules to your own assets, income and debts, and compares the result across 165 countries. Put South Korea side by side with other countries, see every country or try the live demo.
Other countries in East and Southeast Asia: Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.