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Written on 2026-10-26 after checking public pages from the 110 government call center, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Seoul, Incheon and car365. This is not tax advice; dates and rates vary by local government, so check yours. No logged-in screens were viewed. The only image is a self-made illustration. Nothing here promises income.
The diagram below is a self-made illustration, not a real screen.
Car tax prepayment in Korea means paying a year’s car tax in advance for a 5% credit on the rest of the year. This guide covers the 2026 car tax prepayment periods, discount rates, how to apply, and refunds when you sell or scrap the car. Car insurance discounts and used car prices have their own guides.
Who this suits
- People paying car tax in June and December installments
- Anyone planning to sell or scrap a car this year
1. When can you prepay car tax, and what is the discount?
- You can apply in January, March, June or September. The earlier you pay, the bigger the credit.
- According to the government 110 call center:
– January (Jan 14 to Feb 4): annual tax × 335/366 × 5%, about 4.57%
– March (Mar 16 to 31): about 3.76%
– June (Jun 16 to 30): about 2.52%. It only covers the second half (July to December), so the first installment is paid separately.
– September (Sep 16 to 30): annual tax × 92/366 × 5%. The same notice says both “about 1.3%” and “about 2.5% of the second-half tax”, so check with each agency.
- Incheon gave the January discount as up to 4.58%, and Seoul gave different January dates. Check dates and rates with your local government.
- I couldn’t find the 2027 windows yet, so check each year’s notice.
2. Where do you apply for car tax prepayment?
- Wetax or Smart Wetax: apply after logging in. You can only apply in your own name.
- Seoul: use Seoul’s ETAX or the STAX app, or your district office.
- In person or by phone: your city, county or district tax office
- There’s no auto-debit, so pay it yourself. If your annual tax is under 100,000 won, you can only apply in January or March.
- Seoul says that if you prepaid last year, it sends you the January payment notice without a new application.
3. Is car tax refunded if you sell the car?
- After prepaying, if you transfer or scrap the car, you get back the tax for the months after you stopped owning it.
- In Seoul you can claim the refund on ETAX or STAX. Elsewhere, ask your local tax office.
4. How much does car tax prepayment save?
Example (illustrative numbers): prepaying a 500,000 won annual car tax in January
- 500,000 × 335/366 × 5% ≈ 22,900 won credit
- The same car in March gets about 3.76%, so less.
Check the real amount on Wetax or your local tax notice.
Common mistakes
- Assuming it’s auto-debited and missing the deadline
- Prepaying in June and skipping the first installment bill
- Not checking for a refund after selling
Checklist
- ☐ January window checked
- ☐ ETAX for Seoul, Wetax elsewhere
- ☐ Paid it yourself
- ☐ First installment paid separately if you prepaid in June
- ☐ Refund checked after selling or scrapping
Related guides
- Car inspection fines guide
- Car insurance discount riders guide
- Selling a used car or motorcycle guide
- e-Fine traffic fines guide
FAQ
When are the windows?
January, March, June and September. In 2026 January ran January 14–February 4 (Government Call Center); some local governments state other dates.
Discount rates?
About 4.57% in January, 3.76% in March, 2.52% in June. For September the same notice says about 1.3% and about 2.5% of the second-half tax; check with each agency.
Can it be auto-debited?
No. You must pay it yourself.
Annual tax under 100,000 won?
Only January and March.
Refund if I sell?
Yes, the tax for the remaining period after transfer or scrapping. Seoul: ETAX/STAX; elsewhere ask the local tax office.
Read next
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