Auto Tax Calculator
Enter engine displacement (cc) and vehicle age to compute the annual Korean auto tax and education surtax for non-commercial passenger cars.
Years since first registration. From year 3, tax is reduced by 5% per year, up to 50%.
From the vehicle registration. e.g. 1.6L = 1591, 2.0L = 1999.
Total annual tax
493,753KRW
Annual — split-billed in June and December
- Base auto tax
- 399,800KRW
- Age reduction rate
- 5%
- Tax after age reduction
- 379,810KRW
- Education surtax
- 113,943KRW30%
- Bracket
- Over 1,600cc
200원/cc
- 200 KRW/cc × 1999cc applied
- Age 3 years → 5% reduction
What is Korean auto tax?
Auto tax is a local tax levied annually on vehicle ownership. Rates differ depending on commercial vs. personal use and vehicle type (passenger, multi-purpose, freight, special) under the Local Tax Act. For personal-use passenger cars, the tax is proportional to engine displacement (cc). As of 2026: KRW 80/cc up to 1,000 cc, KRW 140/cc for 1,001–1,600 cc, and KRW 200/cc above 1,600 cc, creating jumps at the 1,600 cc and 2,000 cc boundaries. Commercial passenger cars use separate flat rates (from KRW 50,000). An age discount reduces the tax by 5% per year starting from year 3 after registration, capped at 50% from year 12. Local Education Tax of 30% is added on top, making the total burden about 1.3× the base tax. Payment is twice a year (June and December) by default. Paying the full amount in January earns about a 5% discount. Eco-friendly vehicles (EV, hydrogen, hybrid) receive separate discounts — this calculator targets standard internal-combustion personal passenger cars.
When is this calculator useful?
Pre-purchase ownership-cost review
Check the annual auto tax by displacement before buying. The bracket jumps at 1,600 cc and 2,000 cc significantly affect the model choice.
Used-car age discount check
From year 3 onward, the tax decreases 5% per year, up to 50% from year 12. Estimate the cost when buying a used vehicle.
Annual prepayment effect
Paying in January saves about 5%. Use the calculator to estimate the savings against the default twice-a-year schedule.
Eco-friendly vs. internal combustion
EVs and hydrogen cars are taxed at a flat low amount (about KRW 130,000), much less than the cc-based rate. The savings are substantial.
Non-commercial passenger car rates
| Displacement | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000cc | 80 KRW/cc |
| 1,001 – 1,600cc | 140 KRW/cc |
| Over 1,600cc | 200 KRW/cc |
| Electric / Hydrogen (flat) | 130,000 KRW (flat) |
| Education surtax | 30% |
Age reduction
Year 3: 5% / Year 4: 10% / ... / Year 12+: 50%. Reduction grows by 5 percentage points each year and is capped at 50% — vehicles 12+ years old pay half.
How to read the result
The result is composed of: • Displacement: in cc. • Per-cc rate: 80–200 KRW depending on bracket. • Age discount: 5% per year from year 3, fixed at 50% from year 12. • Base auto tax: displacement × per-cc rate × (1 − age discount). • Local Education Tax: 30% of base auto tax (added separately). • Total burden: base + Local Education Tax. Paying in January earns roughly a 5% additional discount. This calculator targets personal-use internal-combustion passenger cars.
Things to keep in mind
- This calculator targets personal-use internal-combustion passenger cars. Commercial, multi-purpose, freight, and special vehicles have separate rates.
- EVs, hydrogen, and hybrid vehicles receive eco-friendly discounts and pay much less than the calculator shows. Verify the actual amount at Wetax.
- Age discount starts from year 3 after registration, increasing 5% per year and capped at 50% from year 12 (year 9: 30%, year 12: 50%).
- Local Education Tax of 30% is added separately, making the total about 1.3× the base. This calculator shows only the base.
- Paying in January (lump sum) gives about a 5% discount versus the default twice-a-year schedule.
- If the vehicle is sold or scrapped mid-year, the tax is prorated and refunded or further charged. Confirm at Wetax right after.
Frequently asked questions
- When is auto tax due?
- Twice a year: H1 (Jan–Jun) is billed in June, H2 (Jul–Dec) in December. Paying the full year in January earns a discount (around 5–7% depending on the year).
- How is vehicle age counted?
- From the first registration date — not the model year. A car registered in May 2023 is in its third year by June 2026, qualifying for a 5% reduction.
- Do hybrid cars get an EV-style discount?
- No — the hybrid auto-tax exemption ended after 2023. Hybrids now pay the same combustion-engine cc rates and are treated as combustion in this calculator.
- How big is the January full-year discount?
- Discount rates change yearly (5% in 2024, 7% in some 2025 windows). Check Wetax (wetax.go.kr) for the current rate. This calculator shows the standard pre-discount amount.
- When is auto tax due?
- By default, half in June and half in December. Paying in full in January (annual prepayment) gives about a 5% discount and can be applied at Wetax (wetax.go.kr).
- How is vehicle age counted?
- Based on the first registration date. From the third year onward, the tax is reduced 5% per year, capped at 50% from year 12. The age accumulates even when the vehicle changes hands, so used-car buyers continue to benefit.
- Do hybrid vehicles get the eco-friendly discount?
- Hybrids receive some eco-friendly discount, but smaller than EVs and hydrogen vehicles. Verify the exact discount and eligibility on Wetax or via Ministry of Environment policies.
- How much do I save by paying in January?
- As of 2026, about a 5% discount. Submit the annual prepayment at Wetax in January and pay the full amount once, replacing the June and December schedule. The January deadline varies by local government — check Wetax.
Related Guide
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Read guide →Official Sources
Always verify with the official sources below