If you pay monthly rent in Korea, some of it comes back at year-end settlement. Yet many tenants miss it — confusing tax credits with deductions, or assuming they don't qualify.
The rent credit is subtracted directly from tax owed, so the effect is substantial.
Three core requirements — ① no home owned by the household ② total salary of ₩80M or less ③ move-in registration matching the lease address. Housing size or value conditions also apply.
How much comes back
| Total salary | Credit rate |
| ₩55M or less | 17% |
| ₩55M – ₩80M | 15% |
| Above ₩80M | Not eligible |
| Annual cap on rent counted | ₩10M |
Example — ₩600,000 monthly rent, ₩50M salary: ₩7.2M a year × 17% = about ₩1.22M credited.
Credits differ from deductions. A deduction reduces taxable income, so you save only your marginal rate. A credit is subtracted from the tax itself — far more valuable for the same amount.
Eligibility in detail
| Home ownership | No home owned by the household at year-end |
| Income | Total salary ₩80M or less |
| Housing size | 85㎡ or under, or meeting the value condition |
| Property type | Apartments, houses, officetels and goshiwon included |
| Contract holder | You or a qualifying dependent |
| Address | Registered address must match the lease |
⚠️ The most common miss: move-in registration. A contract alone isn't enough — without registration there's no credit, and only rent paid after registration counts. Register the day you move (it also protects your deposit).
How to claim
- Documents — lease contract copy, proof of rent transfers, residence certificate
- Submit at year-end settlement, or confirm the pre-filled Hometax data
- Missed it? Claim in the May income tax filing
- Missed that too? File an amended return within five years
Cash payments are hard to evidence — pay by bank transfer and label it.
If the landlord objects
Some landlords ask tenants not to claim, since it reveals rental income.
- The credit is your legal right.
- Such clauses are unlikely to be enforceable.
- To avoid friction, some tenants file an amended return after moving out, within five years.
The landlord's rental income tax is a separate matter, and much of it is already visible through lease records.
If you don't qualify
You can still request a cash receipt for rent and include it in the card-spending deduction.
| Aspect | Rent credit / cash-receipt deduction |
| Effect | Cuts tax directly (15–17%) / reduces taxable income |
| Better option | Usually the credit / fallback if ineligible |
| Both? | One or the other |
Cash receipts can be requested through Hometax using the lease — no landlord consent needed.
FAQ
Must I be the head of household?
Generally, though a household member may qualify if the head hasn't claimed related benefits.
Do officetels count?
Yes, when used residentially and other conditions are met.
I moved mid-year.
Combine rent paid while registered at each address. Keep every contract.
I missed last year.
File an amended return within five years via Hometax.
The gateway to this credit is move-in registration. Do it on moving day and you protect your deposit and your refund at once.
This is general information, not tax advice. Rates, caps and conditions change — confirm with Hometax or a tax professional.
