liminfoCar Tax Calculator
Free web tool: Car Tax Calculator
Annual Car Tax (Total)
520,000 KRW
Semi-annual: 260,000 KRW × 2
Annual Payment Discount (~10%)
468,000 KRW
If paid in full in January
Tax Breakdown
Non-Commercial Passenger Car Tax Rates
| Displacement | Rate/cc |
|---|---|
| ≤ 1,000cc | 80 KRW |
| 1,001–1,600cc | 140 KRW |
| > 1,600cc | 200 KRW |
| Electric | 100,000 KRW/year |
About Car Tax Calculator
The Korean Car Tax Calculator computes annual vehicle tax (자동차세) based on engine displacement (cc), vehicle age, and vehicle type (standard or electric). Korean car tax for non-commercial passenger vehicles is calculated by multiplying the engine displacement by a tiered rate per cc: 80 KRW/cc for up to 1,000cc, 140 KRW/cc for 1,001–1,600cc, and 200 KRW/cc for over 1,600cc. A mandatory 30% education tax surcharge is added to all vehicle taxes.
Vehicle age significantly affects the amount due. From the third year after registration, the base tax is reduced by 5% per year, capping at a maximum 50% reduction after 12 years. This makes older vehicles substantially cheaper to tax each year. Electric vehicles are exempt from displacement-based calculation and instead pay a flat annual tax of 100,000 KRW plus 30% education tax, totalling 130,000 KRW per year regardless of motor output.
Korean car tax is normally paid in two semi-annual installments in June and December. However, vehicle owners who apply for annual lump-sum payment (연납) in January receive approximately a 10% discount on their total annual tax. This calculator shows both the standard amount and the discounted annual payment amount, along with a complete breakdown of base tax, age reduction, and education tax components.
Key Features
- Three-tier displacement rates: 80 KRW/cc (≤1,000cc), 140 KRW/cc (1,001–1,600cc), 200 KRW/cc (>1,600cc)
- Automatic 30% education tax surcharge applied to all calculated totals
- Age-based reduction starting from year 3: 5% per year, maximum 50% at year 12+
- Electric vehicle mode with flat 100,000 KRW base tax + 30% education tax = 130,000 KRW total
- Shows semi-annual payment amounts (June and December installments)
- Displays annual lump-sum payment with approximately 10% January discount
- Full tax breakdown: raw base tax, age reduction amount, reduced base, education tax, and total
- 100% client-side calculation — no data sent to any server, no registration needed
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Korean vehicle tax calculated?
Annual car tax = engine displacement (cc) × rate per cc. Rates for non-commercial passenger cars: up to 1,000cc costs 80 KRW/cc, 1,001–1,600cc costs 140 KRW/cc, and over 1,600cc costs 200 KRW/cc. A 30% education tax is then added to the base amount. For example, a 2,000cc car has a raw tax of 400,000 KRW plus 120,000 KRW education tax = 520,000 KRW total annually.
What is the age-based vehicle tax reduction?
Starting from the 3rd year after initial registration, the base vehicle tax is reduced by 5% for each additional year. The reduction caps at 50% once the vehicle is 12 or more years old. So a 5-year-old car gets a 15% reduction, a 10-year-old car gets 40%, and any car older than 12 years gets the maximum 50% reduction. The education tax is calculated on the already-reduced base.
How much is electric vehicle car tax in Korea?
Electric vehicles are taxed at a flat annual rate of 100,000 KRW regardless of motor output or battery size. Adding the mandatory 30% education tax brings the total to 130,000 KRW per year. This is significantly lower than most petrol vehicles and does not benefit from the age-based reduction scheme.
What is the January annual payment discount?
Vehicle owners in Korea can apply for a lump-sum annual payment (연납) in January each year. This provides approximately a 10% discount off the total annual tax. For example, a car with 520,000 KRW annual tax would cost about 468,000 KRW if paid annually in January. You must apply for this option through your local tax office or online government portals.
When are Korean car taxes due?
Korean vehicle tax is collected in two equal installments: the first half in June and the second half in December. Each payment equals roughly half the annual total. Alternatively, paying the full amount in January via the annual payment option grants the 10% discount.
Do commercial vehicles use the same tax rates?
No. The rates in this calculator apply only to non-commercial passenger cars (비영업용 승용차). Commercial vehicles, trucks (화물차), vans (승합차), and motorcycles use different tax rate schedules. If you own a commercial vehicle, please consult your local tax authority for the applicable rates.
Is the calculator accurate for my specific vehicle?
This calculator implements the standard Korean vehicle tax formula for non-commercial passenger cars as specified by the Local Tax Act. Results should closely match official notices from your local municipality. Minor differences may arise if your registration date falls mid-year or if special exemptions apply to your vehicle.
How does a 2,000cc car compare to a 1,600cc car in annual tax?
A new 2,000cc car (over 1,600cc bracket) has a base tax of 400,000 KRW, plus 30% education tax of 120,000 KRW = 520,000 KRW total. A new 1,600cc car (1,001–1,600cc bracket) has a base tax of 224,000 KRW, plus 30% education tax of 67,200 KRW = 291,200 KRW total. The 2,000cc car costs about 229,000 KRW more per year.