South Korea's annual car tax (자동차세) prepayment discount for Korean-registered vehicles — Jan/Mar/Jun/Sep filing windows with 1.3–4.6% credit rates
| January filing | ~4.57% credit (10 months' forward interest) |
| March filing | ~3.76% credit (8 months) |
| June filing | ~2.51% credit (5 months) |
| September filing | ~1.26% credit (2 months) |
| January filing | Jan 16 – Jan 31, 2026 |
| March filing | Mar 16 – Mar 31, 2026 (for those who missed January) |
| June filing | Jun 16 – Jun 30, 2026 (before H1 billing) |
| September filing | Sep 16 – Sep 30, 2026 (before H2 billing) |
| Default installments | H1 Jun 16–30, H2 Dec 16–31 |
| Vehicle class | Annual tax (principal + education) | Jan credit |
|---|---|---|
| Light car (under 1,000cc) | ~104,000 KRW | ~4,750 KRW |
| Compact (up to 1,600cc) | ~301,000 KRW | ~13,800 KRW |
| Mid-size (up to 2,000cc) | ~520,000 KRW | ~23,800 KRW |
| Large (up to 2,500cc) | ~650,000 KRW | ~29,700 KRW |
| Premium (up to 3,000cc) | ~780,000 KRW | ~35,700 KRW |
| Korea Local Tax Hotline | 126 → option 3 |
| WeTax Customer Center | 1522-0560 |
| eTax Seoul Call Center | 1566-3900 |
| Local si/gun/gu tax office | Varies by region |
This South Korea–only guide summarizes the Local Tax Act and Ministry of the Interior and Safety guidance (as of April 2026). Credit rates and filing windows may change per Korean legislation or municipal ordinance; the controlling figures are on your WeTax / eTax Seoul screen or the bill issued by your Korean local tax office. The calculator provides a non-binding estimate — confirm via WeTax, eTax Seoul, or your local Korean tax office before paying.
South Korea's car tax (자동차세) is a local tax levied twice yearly (June and December). Under the Local Tax Act, vehicle owners who prepay the full year's tax receive a credit equivalent to the forward interest on remaining months. Through 2023 this was a flat 10% January discount, but the 2024 amendment replaced it with a pro-rata 3.65% annual interest calculation, retained for 2026. Typical 2026 credits: ~4.57% (Jan), ~3.76% (Mar), ~2.51% (Jun), ~1.26% (Sep). Filing is done on WeTax (wetax.go.kr), eTax Seoul (etax.seoul.go.kr), Gov24, or in person at the si/gun/gu tax office where the car is registered. All Korean-registered vehicles — including electric, hydrogen, and hybrid cars — are eligible.
Yes. The flat 10% was abolished on January 1, 2024. January 2026 filers receive roughly 4.57% credit under the new 3.65% pro-rata rule; credit decreases as the filing month moves later.
Yes. Unused months are refunded when you scrap or transfer the vehicle, with the Korean tax office recalculating the credit against the original bill.
Most Korean municipalities accept card payment with 2–12 month interest-free installment events that vary by card issuer. You can pay by card on WeTax or eTax Seoul.
Yes. Korean EVs owe ~130,000 KRW/yr in car tax (130k principal + education tax) and still receive the same pro-rata credit. The rule applies to all Korean-registered passenger vehicles.
March 16–31, June 16–30, or September 16–30. The credit rate drops with each later window, so filing in January yields the maximum saving.
For individuals, Korean car tax is a local tax not subject to year-end income deduction. For businesses using the vehicle for work, it may be deductible as a business expense — consult a Korean tax professional.
South Korea's 2026 car tax (자동차세) prepayment credit lets Korean vehicle owners front-load the annual tax and receive a pro-rata 3.65% interest-based credit. The pre-2024 flat 10% January discount was abolished; 2026 credits are ~4.57% (Jan), 3.76% (Mar), 2.51% (Jun), and 1.26% (Sep). Filing windows are Jan 16–31, Mar 16–31, Jun 16–30, and Sep 16–30. File online at WeTax (wetax.go.kr), eTax Seoul (etax.seoul.go.kr) for Seoul residents, or Gov24 — or in person at the si/gun/gu tax office where the car is registered. Korean credit cards, bank transfer, and easy-pay options are accepted. The credit applies to all Korean-registered vehicles including light cars, EVs, hydrogen, and hybrid models; mid-year scrap or transfer triggers a pro-rata refund. Inquiries: Korean local tax hotline 126, WeTax 1522-0560, eTax Seoul 1566-3900.