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How to Use Hometax in Korea

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🌍 Foreign Residents in Korea Series

Step-by-step guides for foreigners living in Korea — from address registration and visa to banking, taxes, and digital certificates.

I used to dread tax season in Korea — then I learned Hometax could do it all online.


In short

Hometax is Korea’s National Tax Service portal for filing, paying, and checking taxes. With your ARC and digital/mobile certificate, you can submit returns, view withholding data, pay bills, and download tax receipts entirely online.

What Is Hometax in Korea?

Hometax (홈택스) is the National Tax Service (NTS) online portal used in Korea to file personal and business taxes, check withholding data, and manage refunds or payments. Foreign residents can access most services with an Alien Registration Number (ARC) and a supported login method.

  • View year-end settlement data from employers (연말정산 간소화)
  • File comprehensive income tax (종합소득세), local income tax links, and simple VAT (for eligible small businesses)
  • Pay national taxes, print payment confirmations, and check refund status
  • Download certificates: Income & Tax Withheld, business registration (if applicable), e-receipts

Create Account & Login Methods

Create a Hometax Account (PC or Mobile)

  1. Open Hometax → choose 회원가입 (Sign Up) and select 개인 (Individual).
  2. Enter your ARC details and contact info; verify your phone number in Korea.
  3. Set ID/password and security questions; agree to terms to finish.

Login Options in Korea

  • Public certificate (공동인증서) stored on bank app/PC/cloud
  • Mobile certificates (민간인증서) such as Kakao, Naver, PASS
  • Bank app linkage (issue/import certificate via your bank’s app)

After login, use My 홈택스 (My NTS) to see your filings, payments, and refund status.

💡 Tip Match your name, birthdate, and phone exactly as on your ARC. Name order or spacing differences are a common cause of login failures in Korea.

File Returns: Year-End & Comprehensive Income

1) Employee Year-End Settlement (연말정산 간소화)

  1. Login → go to 연말정산 (Year-End) → 간소화 자료 조회 to view collected data (insurance, education, card spend).
  2. Check for missing items; upload receipts if needed (e.g., rent, dependents).
  3. Submit to your employer or finalize online if filing yourself; confirm refund or additional tax.

2) Comprehensive Income Tax (종합소득세)

  1. Open 신고/납부 → 종합소득세.
  2. Enter income types (salary not settled by employer, freelance, interest/dividends, rental, etc.).
  3. Apply deductions/credits; review the calculated tax.
  4. Submit the return; proceed to payment or wait for refund.

3) Simple VAT & Business Users (if applicable)

  • Use 부가가치세 menus for VAT filing (self-employed/sole proprietors).
  • Check 사업자등록 information and download business certificates when required.
⚠️ Note If you left Korea mid-year, you can still file and receive refunds. Keep your login method active or appoint a representative in Korea.
💡 Tip Use the “auto-collect” data first, then add extra receipts (rent, dependents, donations). This reduces errors and speeds up review.

Pay Taxes & Download Receipts

Pay Your Taxes Online

  1. Go to 신고/납부 → 납부할 세액 조회 (Amount Due).
  2. Choose a payment method: Korean bank account transfer, card, or simple-pay options.
  3. Complete identity confirmation; save the payment confirmation screen.

Download Receipts & Certificates

  • Refund status: My 홈택스 → 환급금 조회
  • Income & Tax Withheld Certificate: 증명 → 근로소득 원천징수영수증
  • Payment confirmation: 납부 결과 조회 → print or save PDF
💡 Tip Use clear filenames in English (e.g., withholding_YYYYMM.pdf) and keep originals. Many institutions in Korea verify PDFs by embedded codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Q. Can foreigners file taxes on Hometax?
    A. Yes. With an ARC and a supported login (공동/민간 인증서), most foreign residents in Korea can file, pay, and download receipts online.
  2. Q. I cannot log in—what should I check?
    A. Ensure your name/phone match your ARC exactly, try a different certificate (e.g., PASS), or re-issue/import your certificate from your bank app.
  3. Q. How long do refunds take in Korea?
    A. Typically 2–4 weeks after submission, longer in peak months. Track via 환급금 조회 under My Hometax.
  4. Q. Can I file from overseas after leaving Korea?
    A. Yes. Keep your login method active or appoint a representative; refunds can be sent to a designated Korean or overseas account.

Notes

Note. Menus and wording in Hometax can change. Always review on-screen guidance and keep at least one backup mobile certificate active in Korea.

You may also find these helpful:

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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