South Korea Tax Calculator (2026)
Income tax rates and take-home pay for South Korea
Using Seoul for state/regional taxes. Region selection coming soon.
South Korea Income Tax Brackets (2025)
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bracket 1 | ₩0 - ₩14,000,000 | 6.0% |
| Bracket 2 | ₩14,000,000 - ₩50,000,000 | 15.0% |
| Bracket 3 | ₩50,000,000 - ₩88,000,000 | 24.0% |
| Bracket 4 | ₩88,000,000 - ₩150,000,000 | 35.0% |
| Bracket 5 | ₩150,000,000 - ₩300,000,000 | 38.0% |
| Bracket 6 | ₩300,000,000 - ₩500,000,000 | 40.0% |
| Bracket 7 | ₩500,000,000 - ₩1,000,000,000 | 42.0% |
| Bracket 8 | ₩1,000,000,000+ | 45.0% |
Personal allowance: ₩1,500,000
Seoul Local Income Tax
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Local Bracket 1 | ₩0 - ₩14,000,000 | 0.6% |
| Local Bracket 2 | ₩14,000,000 - ₩50,000,000 | 1.5% |
| Local Bracket 3 | ₩50,000,000 - ₩88,000,000 | 2.4% |
| Local Bracket 4 | ₩88,000,000 - ₩150,000,000 | 3.5% |
| Local Bracket 5 | ₩150,000,000 - ₩300,000,000 | 3.8% |
| Local Bracket 6 | ₩300,000,000 - ₩500,000,000 | 4.0% |
| Local Bracket 7 | ₩500,000,000 - ₩1,000,000,000 | 4.2% |
| Local Bracket 8 | ₩1,000,000,000+ | 4.5% |
State allowance: ₩1,500,000
National Pension
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | ₩0+ | 4.5% |
Capped at ₩3,439,800 per year
National Health Insurance
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | ₩0+ | 4.0% |
Capped at ₩64,289,760 per year
Employment Insurance
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | ₩0+ | 0.9% |
Key Facts
Tax Year
2025
Currency
KRW
Top Rate
45.0%
Brackets
8 brackets
Allowance
₩1,500,000
Social Contributions
3 items
Assumptions
- · Employment Income Deduction is modeled using tiered percentages and flat amounts to match the marginal deduction structure.
- · The 'Credit for Class A wages' (which reduces tax liability by up to KRW 740,000 depending on income) and other specific credits like the one for credit card usage are not modeled in the numeric brackets but significantly impact final liability.
- · Social security contributions (NP, NHI, and EI) are all treated as deductible from taxable income based on the source text.
- · Health Insurance rate (4.004%) includes the mandatory long-term care insurance component.
Frequently asked questions
How much income tax will I pay in South Korea?
South Korea uses a progressive tax system with 8 income tax brackets ranging from 6% on the lowest incomes up to 45% on incomes over 1 billion KRW. Your actual tax burden also depends on the Employment Income Deduction, which reduces your taxable income based on your gross earnings, and social contributions like National Pension (4.5%), National Health Insurance (4.004%), and Employment Insurance (0.9%), all of which are deductible from your taxable income.
Do I have to pay local taxes in South Korea?
Yes, in addition to national income tax, you'll pay a Local Income Tax to your region. The calculator uses Seoul as the default, where local tax rates mirror the national brackets but at 10% of the national rate (for example, 0.6% instead of 6% in the lowest bracket). Local tax rates vary by region, so your total tax liability will differ if you live outside Seoul.
What is the Employment Income Deduction?
The Employment Income Deduction is a tiered deduction that reduces your taxable income based on your gross earnings. For lower earners, the deduction can be up to 70% of income, while higher earners receive a smaller percentage plus a flat amount, capped at a maximum deduction of 20 million KRW. This significantly lowers your taxable income compared to your gross salary.
How much do I contribute to social security in South Korea?
As an employee, you contribute to three mandatory social programs: National Pension at 4.5% of gross income (capped at 3,439,800 KRW), National Health Insurance at 4.004% (capped at 64,289,760 KRW), and Employment Insurance at 0.9% of gross income. All three contributions are deductible from your taxable income, which reduces your final income tax liability.
Is there a basic tax allowance in South Korea?
Yes, both the national income tax and Seoul's local income tax include a basic allowance of 1.5 million KRW, which further reduces your taxable income after the Employment Income Deduction is applied. This allowance helps lower your overall tax burden regardless of your income level.
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