Income Tax Calculator
Calculate Korean comprehensive income tax instantly using the latest 2026 rates and deductions. Ideal for self-employed and freelancers filing in May.
Sum of employment, business, interest, dividend, pension, and other income (e.g. 30,000,000)
Spouse, parents aged 60+, children aged 20 or under, etc. Include children here if they are claimed as dependents.
Used to identify eligible children for the child tax credit
1 child: ₩250K / 2 children: ₩550K / 3+ children: +₩400K each
Tax Due
No tax due
- Total Income
- 1,500,000KRW
- Personal Deduction
- 1,500,000KRW
- Taxable Base
- 0KRW
- Tax Rate Applied
- 0%
- Calculated Tax
- 0KRW
- Total Tax Credits
- 0KRW
- Determined Tax
- 0KRW
- Voluntary Filing Deduction
- 0KRW
- Local Income Tax (10%)
- 0KRW
- Effective Rate
- 0.00%
- Amount is within the deduction limit — no tax due.
What is Korean Comprehensive Income Tax?
Comprehensive income tax (Jonghap Sodeukse) is the tax filed by aggregating employment, business, interest, dividend, pension, and other income. Salaried workers (subject to year-end settlement) are filed by their employer and generally do not need to file separately, while the self-employed, freelancers, and those with multiple income sources must file directly in May each year. As of 2026, the 8-bracket progressive schedule is: 6% up to KRW 14M, 15% up to KRW 50M, 24% up to KRW 88M, 35% up to KRW 150M, 38% up to KRW 300M, 40% up to KRW 500M, 42% up to KRW 1B, and 45% above KRW 1B. A 10% local income tax is added on top of the assessed amount. Major deductions include personal/dependent deductions (KRW 1.5M per person), child tax credits (KRW 150,000 for the first child, accumulated KRW 350,000 for two, additional KRW 300,000 per third+), and either the standard tax credit (KRW 130,000) or itemized credits (medical, education, donations, etc., automatically applying the better option). Other tax-saving tools include credit card spending deductions and pension savings/IRP credits. This calculator runs a single comprehensive-income simulation. Complex cases such as business income expenses, separated taxation of pension income, or aggregated taxation of financial income (over KRW 20M) are not reflected. The filing window is May 1 to May 31; voluntary filing avoids penalties.
When is this calculator useful?
Preparing the May filing for self-employed/freelancers
Estimate the expected tax by aggregating business and other income, ahead of the May comprehensive-income filing. Useful for cash-flow planning alongside quarterly VAT filings.
Tax planning for multiple income sources
When you have employment income plus rental income or lecture fees, simulate the progressive effect of aggregation in advance. Useful for tax-saving strategies.
Aggregated taxation of financial income
If your interest and dividends exceed KRW 20M, they are aggregated with other income at progressive rates. Use this calculator to simulate the impact.
Predicting year-end refund
Understanding the comprehensive-income structure helps salaried workers identify which deductions to claim to increase their refund — useful for planning the following year.
Deduction & Rate Limits (2026)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal deduction (self) | 1,500,000 KRW |
| Per dependent | 1,500,000 KRW |
| Child tax credit (1 child) | 250,000 KRW |
| Child tax credit (2 children, cumulative) | 550,000 KRW |
| Child tax credit (3+ children, per additional) | 400,000 KRW |
| Standard tax credit | 130,000 KRW |
| Voluntary filing deduction | 3% (of determined tax) |
| Local income tax | 10% (of national tax) |
How to read the result
The result consists of the following items. • Comprehensive income: the sum of employment, business, interest, dividend, pension, and other income. • Personal deductions: self + dependents (KRW 1.5M per person). • Additional deductions: senior, disabled, single-parent — not reflected in this calculator. • Child tax credit: automatic based on number of children and whether they are 8 or older. • Standard vs. itemized credit: the larger of KRW 130,000 and the sum of itemized credits. • Taxable base: comprehensive income − personal and other deductions. • Assessed tax: taxable base × 8-bracket progressive rate. • Final tax: assessed tax − tax credits. • Local income tax: 10% of the final tax (added separately). • Total tax burden: final tax + local income tax. Actual filings may include further itemized deductions (medical, education, donations, credit card, pension savings) that produce a refund larger than estimated here.
Things to keep in mind
- This calculator simulates a single comprehensive-income case. Self-employed filers must enter business income after subtracting necessary expenses (cost against revenue) for accuracy.
- If financial income (interest + dividends) exceeds KRW 20M, it is taxed in aggregate at progressive rates. KRW 20M or less is taxed separately at 14%.
- Pension income up to KRW 15M can be taxed separately (at low rates of 3–5%) or aggregated; separated taxation is often more favorable for comprehensive-income filers.
- The standard tax credit of KRW 130,000 is applied automatically when the sum of itemized credits is smaller. Itemized is more favorable when total itemized credits exceed KRW 130,000.
- Foreign residents (in Korea 183 days or more) use the same progressive rates as nationals. Non-residents may be subject to a 19% separated tax.
- The filing window is May 1–31. Failure to file or under-reporting incurs a 20% penalty plus late-payment interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is required to file a comprehensive income tax return?
- Anyone with income beyond employment income — such as business income, interest, dividends, rental income, pension, or other income — must file between May 1 and May 31. This primarily applies to self-employed individuals, freelancers, and rental property owners.
- How does the child tax credit work?
- For children aged 8 or older, the credit is ₩250,000 for 1 child, ₩550,000 for 2 children, and an additional ₩400,000 per child from the 3rd onward (effective 2026.04.21). Tax credits are subtracted directly from your calculated tax, making them more valuable than income deductions.
- Should I choose the standard tax credit or itemized special deductions?
- The standard tax credit gives you a flat ₩130,000 deduction. If your total special deductions (medical, education, donations, insurance premiums) exceed ₩130,000, itemized deductions may be more beneficial. This calculator currently supports only the standard tax credit.
- Can I use this result for tax filing?
- This calculator is for reference only. Business expense deductions, national pension and health insurance premiums, special tax credits, and additional deductions (age 70+, disability, single-parent) are not included. Please consult a certified tax accountant or the Korean National Tax Service before filing.
- Do salaried employees need to file?
- No — your employer files via year-end settlement. However, if you have other income (rental, lectures, interest, dividends, etc.) you must file a comprehensive return in May aggregating them with your salary.
- How does a freelancer file?
- Income received as 'other income' (20% withholding) or 'business income' (3.3% withholding) is aggregated in the May return. With business registration it is business income; without, it is treated as other income. Allowable expense ratios differ — consult a tax accountant.
- What happens with large interest/dividend income?
- Annual interest + dividends up to KRW 20M is taxed separately at 14% (settled by withholding). Above KRW 20M, aggregated taxation at progressive rates applies. Whether aggregation or separation is better depends on the situation — consult a tax accountant.
- Do foreigners pay comprehensive income tax?
- Foreigners qualifying as Korean residents (183 days or more) have the same comprehensive-income obligations as nationals. Non-residents are taxed at 19% on Korean-source income. Tax treaties may provide double-taxation relief.
Official Sources
Always verify with the official sources below