Country tax profile · 2026
South Korea income tax
How South Korea taxes income
South Korea taxes personal income at rates up to 45%. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; the flat 19% regime applies to a Korean salary and does not exempt foreign income.
Compiled by MyNomadWorld for South Korea and currently being re-verified against primary sources. Confirm with a local adviser before relying on it.
South Korea income tax brackets (2026)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| up to 14,000,000 KRW | 6% |
| up to 50,000,000 KRW | 15% |
| up to 88,000,000 KRW | 24% |
| up to 150,000,000 KRW | 35% |
| up to 300,000,000 KRW | 38% |
| up to 500,000,000 KRW | 40% |
| up to 1,000,000,000 KRW | 42% |
| over the top bracket | 45% |
National brackets; local or regional surcharges may apply on top.
How South Korea's income tax compares
South Korea's top income tax of 45% is the 18th highest of the 197 countries we track, against a global average of 27.9% and a Asia average of 23.4%.
Countries with a similar income tax
United Kingdom (45%) · Germany (45%) · France (45%) · Switzerland (45%) · Australia (45%) · Japan (45%)
Who is a tax resident of South Korea?
Domicile in Korea, or residence in Korea for 183 days or more in a tax year (new consecutive 183-day two-year rule from 1 Jan 2026).
Related South Korea taxes
Moving to South Korea?
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What is the income tax rate in South Korea?
South Korea taxes personal income at rates up to 45%. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; the flat 19% regime applies to a Korean salary and does not exempt foreign income.
Can expats pay less income tax in South Korea?
Yes. Under the Foreign worker 19% flat + surtax regime, qualifying new residents pay about 20.9% instead of the 45% headline rate.