Korea Business Tax Calendar for Sole Proprietors: VAT, Income Tax, Withholding
Published 2026-10-20
If you run a business in Korea as an individual (sole proprietor), tax filing is spread across the year. This calendar follows the National Tax Service (NTS) guidance on filing and payment deadlines. Dates can be extended in some years, so check Hometax notices before you file.
Monthly calendar for individual businesses
| When | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 10th of every month | Withholding tax (원천세) for income you paid last month | Anyone who paid salary or freelancer fees. Semiannual payers file on 10 Jan and 10 Jul instead |
| 25 January | VAT final return for 1 Jul–31 Dec | General taxpayers. Simplified taxpayers file once a year for 1 Jan–31 Dec |
| 10 February | Business status report (사업장현황신고) for last year's revenue | VAT-exempt businesses such as medical clinics and cram schools |
| April and October | VAT preliminary notice (예정고지): 50% of the previous period's tax | General taxpayers; not issued if the amount is under KRW 500,000 |
| 1–31 May | Comprehensive income tax return | Sole proprietors. Businesses that must submit a faithful-reporting confirmation file by 30 June |
| 25 July | VAT final return for 1 Jan–30 Jun | General taxpayers |
Starting and closing
- Register the business within 20 days of starting. You may apply before opening, at the tax office or on Hometax.
- Closing the business: file the final VAT return by the 25th of the month after the month you close (close on 13 May, file by 25 June). Late filing can add penalties.
Corporations are different
Corporations file VAT four times a year: 1–25 Apr, 1–25 Jul, 1–25 Oct and 1–25 Jan.
What this page does not cover
Revenue thresholds for general versus simplified taxpayers differ between sources, so we do not state them. Ask NTS (call 126) or a tax accountant for your situation.
FAQ
- When is VAT due for a sole proprietor?
- General taxpayers file in July (first half) and January (second half), with notices in April and October. Simplified taxpayers file once, in January.
- When is the income tax return?
- 1 to 31 May for the previous year.
- Do VAT-exempt businesses file anything?
- Yes, the business status report by 10 February.
Sources
- National Tax Service: VAT filing deadlines (Korean) — checked 2026-10-20
- National Tax Service: income tax deadlines (Korean) — checked 2026-10-20
- National Tax Service: withholding tax (Korean) — checked 2026-10-20
Related (Korean): Korean version (사업자 신고·세금 달력)
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