Korea Property Acquisition Tax Calculator

Estimate Korean acquisition tax (chwideukse) on a house, land, or commercial property, including the multiple-home surcharge, first-time buyer relief, rural special tax, and local education tax.

Acquisition details

Total tax due

₩5,500,000

Effective rate1.10%

Tax breakdown

Acquisition tax1.00% — Applied to the purchase price by tier and home count₩5,000,000
Rural special tax10% of acquisition tax (large/high-value)₩0
Local education tax10% of acquisition tax₩500,000
Total₩5,500,000

Tax by number of homes

HomesRateAcquisition taxTotal taxvs 1 home
1 home1.0%₩5,000,000₩5,500,000—
2 homes1.0%₩5,000,000₩5,500,000—
3 homes12.0%₩60,000,000₩66,000,000+ ₩60,500,000
4+ homes12.0%₩60,000,000₩66,000,000+ ₩60,500,000
Corporation12.0%₩60,000,000₩66,000,000+ ₩60,500,000

Rates change with regulated-area status. Current setting: non-regulated area.

This calculator is based on Korean acquisition tax rules under the 2026 Local Tax Act. It is a planning estimate. Regulated-area designations change often, and the exact tax depends on your household and property details, so confirm with the district tax office or Wetax before filing.

Related calculators

What is Korean acquisition tax?

Acquisition tax (chwideukse) is a local tax paid when you acquire certain assets such as real estate, vehicles, or machinery in South Korea. For property, it applies when you acquire a house, land, or commercial space by purchase, inheritance, gift, or new construction.

Property acquisition tax equals the acquisition price multiplied by a rate. The rate depends on the property type, how it was acquired, how many homes you own, and whether the property is in a regulated area. As of 2026, heavier rates apply to multiple-home owners, so the acquisition tax burden is an essential part of any Korean property plan.

Korea-based calculator

This tool is based on Korean acquisition tax rules under the 2026 Local Tax Act (effective January 2026). It is intended for people estimating the cost of acquiring property in Korea, and it is a planning estimate rather than an official assessment.

  • It is a local tax paid to the local government.
  • It must be filed and paid within 60 days of acquisition.
  • Rural special tax and local education tax are charged alongside it.
  • Heavier rates apply to multiple-home owners and corporations.
  • First-time homebuyers can receive relief.

Rates by property type

1. House (residential)

For a house, the rate depends on the price and the number of homes owned. A single-home owner pays a progressive rate by price, while multiple-home owners face a surcharge.

Single-home base rate

  • KRW 600 million or less: 1%
  • KRW 600 million to 900 million: 1% to 3% (progressive)
  • Over KRW 900 million: 3%

Tip: in the 600 to 900 million band, the progressive rate is 1% plus (price minus 600 million) divided by 300 million, multiplied by 2%.

2. Multiple-home surcharge (2026)

Multiple-home owners face a surcharge, and the rate changes sharply depending on whether the property is in a regulated area, so always confirm that status.

In a regulated area

  • 2 homes: 8%
  • 3 or more homes: 12%
  • Corporation: 12%

Outside a regulated area

  • 2 homes: 1 to 3% (base rate)
  • 3 or more homes: 12%

3. Non-residential rate

Property other than a house is generally taxed at 4%.

  • Land (general): 4%
  • Farmland: 3%
  • Commercial / office: 4%
  • Officetel (business use): 4%

4. Inheritance and gift

A separate rate applies when property is acquired by inheritance or gift.

  • Inheritance (house): 2.8%
  • Inheritance (non-house): 3.5%
  • Gift (house): 3.5%
  • Gift (non-house): 4%
  • Original acquisition (new build): 2.8%

How the tax is calculated

Step 1: Confirm the acquisition price

The actual transaction price on the contract is used. If the declared price is below the standard market value, the standard value may apply instead.

Step 2: Determine the rate

The rate is set by property type, acquisition type, number of homes, and regulated-area status. Multiple-home owners should take care because the surcharge applies.

Step 3: Calculate the acquisition tax

Acquisition tax equals price multiplied by the rate. Example: a KRW 500 million house for a single-home owner is 500 million times 1%, or KRW 5 million.

Step 4: Add the surtaxes

Rural special tax equals 10% of acquisition tax (for a house over 85 square meters or over KRW 600 million). Local education tax equals 10% of acquisition tax.

Step 5: Total tax due

Total equals acquisition tax plus rural special tax plus local education tax. Example: a KRW 500 million house is 5 million plus 0 plus 500 thousand, or KRW 5.5 million.

First-time buyer relief (2026)

  • Who qualifies: neither you nor your spouse has ever owned a home.
  • Acquisition type: purchase only.

Relief by price band

  • KRW 150 million or less: full exemption
  • KRW 150 million to 300 million: 50% relief (up to KRW 2 million)
  • KRW 300 million to 400 million: 50% relief (up to KRW 3 million)
  • Over KRW 400 million: not eligible

Notes

  • Rural special tax of 20% applies to the relieved acquisition tax.
  • Buying another home within 3 years can claw back the relief.
  • Presale rights and redevelopment membership rights can also qualify.

Filing and payment

Deadlines

  • General acquisition: within 60 days of acquisition
  • Inheritance: within 6 months from the end of the month of death
  • Gift: within 60 days of acquisition

How to file

  • Online: Wetax (www.wetax.go.kr)
  • In person: the district tax office where the property is located
  • Documents: contract, ID, certificate of title, and similar

Frequently asked questions

How do I check whether an area is regulated?

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport publishes the current list of regulated areas. Designations change with the market, so confirm the latest list before you acquire.

Does the surcharge apply to a temporary second home?

If you dispose of the prior home within 3 years of buying the new one, the single-home rate applies. If you miss that deadline, the surcharge can be clawed back.

Is acquisition tax charged on a presale right?

A presale right counts toward your home total and is taxed on resale. When the home is completed, a separate house acquisition tax applies on first acquisition.

When is rural special tax waived?

It is waived for a house of 85 square meters or less and KRW 600 million or less. If you received acquisition tax relief, you pay 20% of the relieved amount as rural special tax.

What if I do not pay?

A 20% penalty applies for non-filing, plus 0.022% per day for late payment. You also cannot register title until the tax is paid, so pay within the deadline.

What is the rate for a corporation buying a house?

A corporation acquiring a house is taxed at 12% regardless of price, a surcharge meant to curb corporate housing speculation.

Does an officetel count toward my home total?

A residential officetel counts; a business-use officetel does not. The use recorded on the building register, not actual use, decides it, so check the register.

Does an inherited house count toward my total?

Yes, an inherited house counts. However, if you dispose of it within 5 years of the date of death, it can be excluded from the count.

Tax-saving tips

  • Use first-time buyer relief: a first home bought by purchase can receive relief by price band.
  • Look outside regulated areas: a second home outside a regulated area keeps the base rate of 1 to 3%.
  • Use the temporary two-home window: sell the prior home within 3 years to keep the single-home rate.
  • Compare gift versus sale: depending on the situation, one route can be cheaper than the other.
  • Time the acquisition: if a regulated-area designation is set to be lifted, timing can help.

Estimate your acquisition tax now

Check the tax before you acquire so you can plan the cash you will need at closing.