vs
Ireland vs South Korea Tax Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of tax rates and systems
Tax Rate Comparison
Rate Comparison
Top Income Tax
Ireland52%
South Korea49.5%Lower
Corporate Tax
Ireland12.5%Lower
South Korea25%
Capital Gains
Ireland33%
South Korea22%Lower
VAT / Sales Tax
Ireland23%
South Korea10%Lower
| Category | Ireland | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Tax System | Progressive | Progressive |
| Top Income Tax | 52% | 49.5% |
| Corporate Tax | 12.5% | 25% |
| Capital Gains | 33% | 22% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 23% | 10% |
| Crypto Tax | Yes | Yes |
| Wealth Tax | No | No |
| Tax Treaties | 76 | 93 |
| Currency | EUR | KRW |
The bottom line: Ireland vs South Korea
South Korea has the lower headline rate on 3 of the four main taxes (income, corporate, capital gains and VAT), making it the lighter-taxed of the two on paper. Ireland runs a progressive tax system, while South Korea uses a progressive one. South Korea has the wider tax-treaty network (93 agreements), which can reduce withholding tax on cross-border income.
- Income tax: South Korea is lower (52% vs 49.5%)
- Corporate tax: Ireland is lower (12.5% vs 25%)
- Capital gains tax: South Korea is lower (33% vs 22%)
- VAT / sales tax: South Korea is lower (23% vs 10%)