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Attention foreigners who own cars in Korea or business owners who employ foreign employees!
"Can foreigners also receive tax breaks?" Today, Jobploy provides a complete answer, based on official government data.
Is it possible for foreigners to receive a discount on their automobile tax?
To conclude, "Of course it is possible!"
Automobile tax is a local tax levied on "automobile owners," regardless of nationality. Therefore, if you have a foreign registration number and drive a car in Korea, you can take advantage of the "annual payment system," which allows you to pay in advance and receive a discount, just like Korean nationals.
How much discount will I get in 2026?
As of 2026, the annual automobile tax deduction rate is 5%. If you pay all at once in January, you'll immediately save approximately 4.58% of your annual tax. You might think, "Only 5%?" But for larger-displacement vehicles, this tip can easily save you the equivalent of a few chickens!
How do I apply and pay? (How-to)
Being a foreigner doesn't mean the process is complicated. Choose the method below that's most convenient for you.
- PC/Mobile (Wetax): Visit www.wetax.go.kr and select "Additional Services > Automobile Tax Annual Payment Application." (Joint certificate or simple authentication required.)
- Just a phone call: Call the tax office of your local city, county, or district office and say, "I'd like to pay my car tax in installments." They'll send you a text message with your virtual account number. (If you're not fluent in Korean, ask someone around you for help!)
- Easy Payment: You can check your local tax notice and pay it immediately through the 'Bill' or 'Payment' menu in the Kakao Pay or Naver Pay app.
When do I apply and pay?
Automobile tax annual payments are made in January, March, June, and September, and the later you make the payment, the lower the discount rate.
In general, the schedule is similar, from the middle of each month to the last day of each month or the first day of the following month, but there may be slight differences depending on the local government for administrative reasons.
Don't forget to pay around the 20th of January, March, June, and September!
- As of this writing, it's already January 27th. January installment payments are available now, so if you're reading this, apply now.
- January payment: Approximately 4.58% discount on annual tax amount
- March payment: Approximately 3.76% discount on annual tax amount
- June payment: Approximately 2.51% discount on annual tax amount
- September payment: Approximately 1.25% discount on annual tax amount
Key checkpoints provided by Jobploy!
1. If you paid last year, it's automatic this year! If you already paid in installments last year, a discounted bill will be delivered to your home this year without a separate application. Just pay and you're done!
2. What if I sell my car midway through the loan period? Don't worry. If you sell or scrap the car after paying the installment, the remaining tax will be prorated and returned to your account. This is a right officially guaranteed by the government.
3. What if I move ? Even if you move to a different city or province within Korea, the automobile tax you've already paid remains valid. Don't worry, you won't have to pay it twice.
Don't give up on tax benefits you might miss out on while living in Korea just because you're a foreigner!
JOBPLOY always supports your smart Korean life and stable administrative processing.
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