South Korea Capital Gains Tax
Detailed capital gains tax rates and rules for South Korea in 2026.
Capital gains on real estate in South Korea are taxed at progressive rates of 6-45% (matching income tax brackets) plus local income tax for properties held more than 2 years, with significantly higher rates for short-term holdings: 70% for properties held less than 1 year and 60% for 1-2 years. Additional tax of 20-30% applies on gains from selling homes in designated speculative overheated areas for multi-home owners. Stock capital gains for major shareholders (holding 1%+ or KRW 1 billion+ in a listed company) are taxed at 22-27.5% including local tax.
Short-Term Rate
45%
Long-Term Rate
22%
Standard Rate
22%
Exemptions
- Gains from selling a single home (primary residence) owned for 2+ years are generally exempt, subject to conditions
- Small-value stock transactions by minority shareholders of listed companies below certain thresholds
- Certain farmland held and cultivated for 8+ years
How South Korea Capital Gains compares
South Korea’s capital gains tax rate of 22% is the 38th highest of 203 countries TaxAtlas tracks, above the global average of 13.8% and Asia’s regional average of 13.9%.
