Acquisition Tax Calculator
Compute Korean real estate acquisition tax with surcharges. Enter the price, property type, number of homes owned, and adjusted-area status.
Use the contract price unless lower than the official assessed value, in which case the assessed value applies.
Total tax
5,500,000KRW
1.00% applied
- Acquisition tax
- 5,000,000KRW
- Education surtax
- 500,000KRW×10%
- Rural surtax
- 0KRWexempt
- Case
- Residential ≤ 600M — base 1%
- Effective rate (total / price)
- 1.10%
- Residential base progressive rate 1%
- Floor area ≤ 85㎡ — rural surtax exempt
What is acquisition tax?
Acquisition tax is a local tax levied when acquiring real estate, vehicles, machinery, etc. For real estate, the Local Tax Act applies rates ranging from 1% to 12% depending on acquisition price, cause (purchase/gift/inheritance), and the acquirer's number of homes. For home purchases by 1-home owners, rates are progressive: 1% (up to KRW 600M) to 3% (above KRW 900M). For multi-home owners in regulated areas, heavy rates of 8% (2 homes) or 12% (3+ homes) may apply. Gifts are 3.5% regardless of value or relationship; inheritance is generally 2.8% (separate rates for farmland, etc.). In addition to acquisition tax, Special Tax for Rural Development (10% of acquisition tax), Local Education Tax (about 4%), and registration license tax are added, bringing the total burden to roughly 1.1–1.2× the acquisition tax shown here. The filing and payment deadline is 60 days from acquisition (6 months for inheritance). Missing the deadline triggers a 20% non-filing penalty plus late-payment interest. Reduction programs (first-home buyer, newlyweds) change yearly — verify at Wetax or the local tax office.
When is this calculator useful?
Estimating costs when buying a home
Estimate acquisition tax and registration costs in addition to the purchase price for total funding planning. Check the progressive impact at the KRW 600M / 900M boundaries.
Multi-home purchase consideration
Multi-home purchases in regulated areas face heavy rates of 8–12%. Compare the difference against general rates with this calculator.
Gift and inheritance acquisition
Gifts use a flat 3.5% and inheritance generally 2.8%, which can exceed the rate for purchases at low values. Useful when deciding between gift and inheritance.
Eligibility-based reductions
Compare with and without reductions for first-home buyers and newlyweds. Policies change frequently — verify at Wetax.
Rate summary
| Case | Rate |
|---|---|
| Residential ≤ 600M — base 1% | 1.0% |
| Residential 600M–900M progressive (1–3%) | 1.0% – 3.0% (linear progressive) |
| Residential > 900M — base 3% | 3.0% |
| Multi-home surcharge 8% | 8.0% |
| Multi-home surcharge 12% | 12.0% |
| Non-residential flat 4% | 4.0% |
All cases add a 10% education surtax (on acquisition tax) and a 0.2% rural surtax (on price), except residential ≤ 85㎡ at base rates.
How to read the result
The result is composed of: • Acquisition price: purchase price, gift value, or inherited property value. • Cause: rate depends on purchase / gift / inheritance. • Number of homes: heavy rates apply for multi-home owners in regulated areas. • Applied rate: the final rate determined by the combination above. • Calculated acquisition tax: acquisition price × applied rate. The actual total burden includes acquisition tax + Special Tax for Rural Development (10% of acquisition tax) + Local Education Tax (about 4%) + registration license tax, reaching roughly 1.1–1.2× the figure shown here.
Things to keep in mind
- This calculator computes only the base acquisition tax. Special Tax for Rural Development, Local Education Tax, and registration license tax are added separately, making the total burden 1.1–1.2× the result.
- Heavy rates for multi-home owners apply based on home count within regulated areas; outside those areas, general rates apply.
- Reduction programs (first-home buyer, newlyweds) change yearly — confirm with Wetax or the local tax office right before purchase.
- Non-residential acquisitions (land, shops, factories) generally use a 4% rate; special assets like farmland have separate rates.
- Filing/payment deadline is 60 days from acquisition (6 months for inheritance). Missing it triggers a 20% non-filing penalty plus late-payment interest.
- Foreign acquirers may face different rates depending on residence status (permanent residence, marriage immigration, etc.). Verify your immigration status.
Frequently asked questions
- When is acquisition tax due?
- Within 60 days from the acquisition date (the earlier of balance payment or registration). Late filing triggers a 20% no-filing penalty plus daily late-payment surcharges.
- How do I check whether an area is adjusted?
- The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport publishes the list. As of January 2024 only Seoul Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, and Yongsan are designated; everywhere else is non-adjusted. Confirm at the time of purchase as designations change frequently.
- What about temporary 2-home status?
- If you commit to disposing of the existing home within a set window (commonly 2 years), the new acquisition is treated under base progressive rates. This calculator does not model the special case — confirm with the local district office.
- Are there first-time-buyer reductions?
- Time-limited programs exist subject to income, price, and timing requirements. This calculator does not apply them — check the Korea Real Estate Board or Ministry of Interior and Safety.
- Can a multi-home owner still apply the 1% rate when buying their first home?
- A multi-home owner buying an additional home in a regulated area faces heavy rates of 8% (second home) or 12% (third+). Non-regulated areas use the general progressive rates (1–3%).
- Where and how do I file acquisition tax?
- File at Wetax (wetax.go.kr) or the local city/county/district tax office where the property is located. Typically a judicial scrivener handles it together with property registration, and payment is made before registration.
- Is there a first-home buyer reduction?
- Yes, first-home buyers meeting certain conditions can receive an acquisition tax reduction (up to KRW 2M or a fixed ratio). Requirements and limits change annually, so check the latest at Wetax.
- Do I pay acquisition tax on gifted real estate?
- Yes. In addition to gift tax (national), acquisition tax (local) of 3.5% plus Special Tax for Rural Development and Local Education Tax applies. This calculator computes only the base acquisition tax.
Official Sources
Always verify with the official sources below