South Korea 2026 Child Tax Credit (자녀장려금) Guide & Calculator

South Korean National Tax Service refundable Child Tax Credit: up to 1,000,000 KRW per dependent child under 18, for Korean-resident households with combined gross income under 70M KRW and assets under 240M KRW

🏛️Open Korea's NTS Hometax — EITC & Child Tax Credit application pageOpen Hometax ↗
📊 Estimate My Child Tax Credit
Estimated Credit
710,000 KRW
※ Actual amounts follow Korean NTS tables and individual screening. This estimate is for reference only.

✅ 2026 Eligibility (South Korea)

Dependent childAt least one resident dependent under 18 (born on or after Jan 1, 2008)
IncomeCombined annual gross income < 70M KRW (both spouses)
AssetsCombined household assets < 240M KRW (170M–240M: 50% payout)
ExclusionsNon-Korean-residents and children claimed by another Korean resident
StackingCan be received alongside Korea's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

💰 Payout Rules

Max per child1,000,000 KRW (if all Korean eligibility rules met)
Minimum per eligible household500,000 KRW
Regular payment dateEnd of September 2026
Late-filing payout90% of calculated amount (5% + 5% withholding)

🗓️ 2026 Application Schedule (Korea)

Regular filingMay 1 – May 31, 2026 (100% payout)
Late filingJun 1 – Nov 30, 2026 (90% payout)
Payout date (regular)End of September 2026
Notices sentLate Apr – early May, via Hometax and postal mail

📝 5-Step Hometax Application

  1. Receive Korean NTS notice by mail or mobile; log in at Hometax → EITC/CTC → Apply.
  2. If you received an invite code, use Simple Apply (or ARS 1544-9944); otherwise verify identity via PKI/Simple Auth.
  3. Confirm bank account, phone, spouse info, and each dependent's resident number and income status.
  4. Review the auto-determined list of dependents and submit. Result comes via My Page, KakaoTalk, and SMS.
  5. If approved, the payment arrives end of September to your registered Korean bank account.

💡 Application Tips

  • Using the invite code from the Korean NTS notice is the fastest path (ARS 1544-9944 also supported).
  • One application screens both EITC and CTC together.
  • Update address/bank via Hometax 'Personal Info' before filing.
  • Accurately enter minor children's income and spouse's gross to avoid rejection.
  • If you missed 2024-tax-year filing, the late-filing window ends Nov 30, 2026.

This is a reference-only summary of South Korea's National Tax Service (NTS) public information, as of April 2026. Calculator results are estimates and may differ from official screening. Eligibility and amounts are determined by the Korean NTS under the Framework Act on National Taxes and the Restriction of Special Taxation Act — file and appeal through Hometax or your local Korean tax office.

What is Korea's Child Tax Credit?

Korea's Child Tax Credit (자녀장려금, CTC) is a refundable cash benefit from the South Korean National Tax Service to help low-income working and self-employed Korean-resident households raise children. In 2026, Korean-resident households with combined gross income under 70M KRW, household assets under 240M KRW, and at least one dependent child under 18 receive up to 1,000,000 KRW per child (minimum 500,000 KRW). It can be received alongside the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Regular filing runs May 1–31, 2026 via Hometax, Sontax, or ARS, with payment in late September; late filing from June 1 to November 30, 2026 pays 90% of the amount. This program applies exclusively to Korean residents.

Can I receive both EITC and CTC?

Yes. A single Hometax application screens both; eligible households receive both credits.

Does dual-income disqualify us from CTC?

No. CTC only caps the combined gross income at 70M KRW — single- and dual-earner couples can both apply.

How much do I get with 170M–240M KRW in assets?

50% of the otherwise calculated amount. Example: 1,000,000 KRW computed → 500,000 KRW paid.

I missed the May window — is there a backup?

Yes. Late filing runs Jun 1 – Nov 30, 2026 and pays 90% of the calculated amount. After Nov 30 the tax-year credit is forfeited.

My child earns a little. Are they still a dependent?

Yes, if the child's annual income is ≤ 1,000,000 KRW (or gross wages ≤ 5,000,000 KRW for wage-only income). Above this threshold, they are excluded.

Can foreign residents apply?

Only South Korean tax residents (per the Income Tax Act) with qualifying dependents, including marriage immigrants raising dependent children, may apply. Non-residents and short-term visitors are not eligible.

Korea 2026 Child Tax Credit — Eligibility, Payout, Hometax Filing

South Korea's 2026 National Tax Service Child Tax Credit (자녀장려금, CTC) is a refundable cash benefit of up to 1,000,000 KRW per dependent child under 18 (minimum 500,000 KRW) for Korean-resident households with combined gross income under 70M KRW and household assets under 240M KRW. The regular filing window runs May 1 – May 31, 2026 via Hometax (hometax.go.kr), the Sontax mobile app, or ARS 1544-9944, with payment at the end of September 2026. Late filing from June 1 to November 30, 2026 pays 90% of the amount; households with 170M–240M KRW in assets receive 50%; above 240M KRW or 70M KRW income they are not eligible. CTC can be combined with Korea's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in a single application. This Korean government program is limited to South Korean tax residents; contact the Korean NTS EITC/CTC line 1544-9944 or Tax Hotline 126 for inquiries.

All calculators and tools on this site are based on the laws, tax rates, and policies of the Republic of Korea.

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only.

Results are estimates and may differ from actual amounts.

© 2025 calculkorea. All rights reserved.

Link copied!