Got a job offer in Korea? Enter your annual salary to see your monthly take-home pay in won and US dollars after the four social insurances, income tax and local income tax — with options foreigners actually need: the flat 19% tax rule, a National Pension exemption and employment insurance by visa.
What comes out of a Korean paycheck (2026)
| Deduction | Employee rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Pension (국민연금) | 4.75% | Capped at a monthly base of ₩6,590,000; may be exempt by nationality |
| Health insurance (건강보험) | 3.595% | Mandatory for employees, including foreigners |
| Long-term care (장기요양) | ≈0.47% | Added on top of health insurance |
| Employment insurance (고용보험) | 0.9% | Mandatory or optional depending on visa |
| Income tax (소독세) | NTS table | Withheld monthly, settled in February |
| Local income tax (지방소독세) | 10% of income tax | Always added to income tax |
Take-home pay by salary
Single, no dependents, ₩200,000 non-taxable meal allowance, standard tax method, all insurances.
| Annual salary | Gross / month | Income + local tax | Take-home / month | ≈ US$ / month* | Take-home with flat 19% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₩30,000,000 | ₩2,500,000 | ₩32,070 | ₩2,244,440 | $1,603 | ₩1,754,010 |
| ₩36,000,000 | ₩3,000,000 | ₩62,480 | ₩2,665,440 | $1,904 | ₩2,100,920 |
| ₩42,000,000 | ₩3,500,000 | ₩113,040 | ₩3,066,300 | $2,190 | ₩2,447,840 |
| ₩50,000,000 | ₩4,166,666 | ₩209,680 | ₩3,571,586 | $2,551 | ₩2,910,446 |
| ₩60,000,000 | ₩5,000,000 | ₩338,160 | ₩4,195,410 | $2,997 | ₩3,488,570 |
| ₩80,000,000 | ₩6,666,666 | ₩671,250 | ₩5,367,086 | $3,834 | ₩4,645,016 |
| ₩100,000,000 | ₩8,333,333 | ₩1,085,390 | ₩6,530,923 | $4,665 | ₩5,874,653 |
*At an example rate of ₩1,400 per US$1.
The foreigner flat 19% rule
Foreign employees can choose to pay income tax at a single 19% rate on their total pay instead of the normal progressive rates, for up to 20 years from the year they first worked in Korea. The catch: with the flat rate you get no deductions, exemptions or credits, and even normally non-taxable pay is taxed. Add 10% local tax and the effective rate is 20.9%.
In the examples above, the standard method leaves more take-home pay at every salary up to ₩100 million; the flat rate tends to pay off only for very high earners. Switch the "Income tax method" in the calculator to compare both for your own salary, and ask your employer’s payroll team before choosing.
How this calculator works
Income tax uses the National Tax Service simplified withholding table (revised February 27, 2026), the same table Korean employers use for monthly payroll. Your real annual tax is settled in year-end tax settlement (연말정산) each February, when you may get money back or owe more.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreigners pay the same tax as Koreans?
By default, yes — the same progressive rates and withholding table. Foreign employees can also choose the flat 19% rule.
Is the meal allowance taxed?
Up to ₩200,000 a month of meal allowance is non-taxable under the standard method. Under the flat 19% rule it is taxed.
Can I get my National Pension back when I leave Korea?
Many foreigners can claim a lump-sum refund on departure, depending on nationality and treaties. Check with the National Pension Service.
Why is my real payslip slightly different?
Employers round some items differently, pay extra allowances or bonuses, and update pension bases each July. Treat this as a close estimate.
Related calculators
Sources: National Tax Service (withholding table, flat-rate option for foreign employees); National Pension Service; National Health Insurance Service.
Estimates for information only, not tax advice. Last checked October 2026.
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