Individual Income Tax and Benefit Guide for Foreigners

About this guide

This page reproduces the National Tax Service (NTS) booklet “Individual Income Tax and Benefit Guide for Foreigners 2026 (Tax returns for 2025)” (published May 2026 by the NTS International Taxation Bureau) as faithfully as possible. It gives a general overview of Korean income tax for foreigners — when applying it to a real filing, always check the underlying tax law and official interpretations, or ask a licensed tax accountant. NTS English help-line for foreign taxpayers: 1588-0560; NTS English website: nts.go.kr/english. All amounts are in Korean won (KRW).

Part 1 — Filing Overview & 2025 Law Changes

Who files, deadlines, forms and documents, where and how to file and pay, penalties, refunds, overseas income, bookkeeping, the standard & simplified expense rates, and a summary of the 2025 tax-law amendments.

Part 2 — Filing Examples & FAQ

Three worked returns (two-employer instructor; instructor with other income; single business income under the simplified rate) and 30 frequently asked questions from foreign taxpayers.

Part 3 — Taxpayer & Types of Income

Resident vs. non-resident; global, separate and schedular taxation; the six global-income types; other income in detail; religious persons' income; housing rental income; retirement income; non-taxable and tax-exempt income.

Part 4 — Income, Deductions, Rates & Credits

Computing income by type; business-income gross revenue and necessary expenses; reserves, donations, business promotion, depreciation and vehicle rules; global income deductions; the 2025 tax-rate table; and every tax credit.

Part 5 — Filing, Penalty Tax & Bookkeeping

Interim prepayment and the final return; the nine penalty taxes; bookkeeping and statement-of-payment duties; and the appendix — registered taxpayers' associations and NTS services for foreigners.

Key facts at a glance

Filing period: May 1–31 of the following year (2025 income → due June 1, 2026; June 30 for compliant-filing businesses)
Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents only on Korean-source income
Rates: 6% to 45% progressive; foreign employees may elect a 19% flat rate (no deductions)
Forms: 40(1) general, 40(4) simplified-rate/multiple income, 40(5) religious persons, 40(6) separate taxation
Keep records for 5 years (7 for offshore transactions)
Help in English: NTS help-line 1588-0560, nts.go.kr/english