Taxes
South Korea — Tax: Capital Gains
Korea generally exempts gains on listed shares but taxes major shareholders at 22% to 27.5% and taxes real estate transfers progressively, with high rates for short holdings.
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourcePwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Korea, Individual, Income determinationLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Gains on listed stock are generally exempt, but major shareholders (1% or more, 2% or 4% on KOSDAQ and KONEX, or KRW 5 billion or more) are taxed at 22% to 27.5%.
- The scheduled financial investment income tax was abolished.
- Real estate transfer income tax runs 6% to 38% or 42% progressively, with 70% for unregistered assets and 50% (40% for houses) for holdings under one year.
- A transfer by a Korean resident of foreign assets, except foreign shares, is taxable where the transferor was resident for five years or more.