Flat rate
19.0%
Duration
20 years
Prior non-residency
—
required before applying
Standard top income tax
45.0%
South Korea, without the regime
Overview
- Regime
- Foreign employee flat tax rate
- Country
- South Korea
- Type
- Flat rate
- Status
- Active
- Effective from
- —
- Expires on
- —
Details
- Summary
- Optional 19% national rate on employment income instead of progressive PIT; local income tax (10% of PIT) still applies.
- Eligibility
- Foreign expatriates or employees who start work in Korea no later than 31 December 2026; not available when employer is a related party.
- Benefits
- Flat 19% on Korean employment income; employer housing qualifying under rules may stay exempt.
- Requirements
- Elect via application to NTS or employer at monthly withholding or year-end settlement; forfeits other deductions and credits.
- Limitations
- Applies to employment income only; unrelated-party employer required.
- Income types covered
- Employment income
- Duration details
- 20 years from first day of work in Korea
View source PwC Republic of Korea 2026