Taxes · 🇰🇷 South Korea
Crypto and tokenized asset taxes in South Korea
Crypto gains are not taxed for individuals yet. A 22% tax above KRW 2.5m is scheduled for 1 January 2027, but a fourth delay to 2029 was being negotiated at end of October 2026.
Also in: ko
Crypto
Gains
0% today; 20% + 2% local tax on yearly gains above KRW 2.5m scheduled from 1 Jan 2027 (delay to 2029 under discussion)
Tax-free allowance
KRW 2.5 million per year under the scheduled regime
Losses
Under the scheduled regime gains and losses net within the year; no carry-forward announced
Also
Under the scheduled law, virtual asset income (transfer or lending) is classed as other income and taxed separately. In late October 2026 the ruling party and opposition both backed postponement; a bill sets 1 January 2029; a decision was expected in November 2026 and needs a law change.
Income and tokenized assets
Staking, lending, yield
Lending income from virtual assets falls under the scheduled virtual asset income regime (from 2027 if not delayed). Today staking, lending and airdrops are in practice untaxed for individuals; no specific NTS guidance found on staking.
Tokenized stocks, bonds, funds
Taxed as securities, not crypto, per the finance ministry view reported in June 2026: tokenized stocks are 'substantially closer to securities', including those bought on overseas platforms. The STO amendments (Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act) passed in January 2026, with full market operation targeted around February 2027. Securities tax rules (e.g. capital gains tax on overseas shares, dividend tax) would then apply; no formal NTS guidance found.
Filing
Tax year
Calendar year; return for financial/other income due by 31 May of the following year
Reporting
No crypto return needed while gains are untaxed. Korea joined CARF and plans to receive offshore crypto data from 2027; foreign financial accounts above KRW 500m (incl. virtual assets) must be reported annually.
Tax authority
Watch out
- The 2027 start may be postponed again – check before year-end 2026
- Tokenized stocks may already be taxable as securities even though crypto is not
- Offshore exchange data will reach the NTS via CARF
Sources
- Segye Ilbo – decision expected in November, 2029 if delayed (30 Oct 2026) · segye.com
- Kyunghyang – party-government lean to postpone (25 Oct 2026) · khan.co.kr
- Etoday – ruling-party bill for 2029 start · etoday.co.kr
- Asia Economy – deferral left out of July tax amendment · view.asiae.co.kr
- The Block – tokenized stocks are securities (June 2026) · theblock.co
- Chakwon – Korea security token framework · blog.chakwon.com
Not confirmed
- Final decision on the fourth postponement (pending as of 1 Nov 2026)
- Whether the FSC adopted the securities view in its July 2026 guideline revision
- Exact STO effective dates (sources give Dec 2025 or Jan 2026 passage, Feb 2027 for main parts)
- Foreign account reporting threshold KRW 500m and May filing are general rules, not re-checked
- Existing summary correct; update: delay to 2029 now the likely outcome, final decision expected November 2026
Researched 2026-11-01 for private individuals resident in South Korea. Information, not tax advice — rules change; check the tax authority before you file.