Korean Stock Profit Calculator

How it works

• From 1 Jan 2026: KOSPI 0.05% transaction tax + 0.15% rural special tax = 0.20%; KOSDAQ 0.20%. Charged on the sell amount only.
• Capital gains on listed Korean shares are tax-free for non-major shareholders (generally under ₩5 billion per stock).
• Non-residents may be subject to different rules under tax treaties.

FAQ

What is the stock transaction tax in Korea in 2026?

0.20% of the sell amount for both KOSPI (0.05% + 0.15% rural special tax) and KOSDAQ.

Do I pay capital gains tax on Korean stocks?

Not if you are not a major shareholder; you pay only the transaction tax on sales.

Worked example

Example: buying 100 KOSPI shares at ₩50,000 and selling at ₩60,000 makes ₩1,000,000 before costs. Commissions of 0.015% on each side (₩1,650) and the 0.20% transaction tax (₩12,000) leave a net profit of ₩986,350, a 19.72% return. Your break-even selling price is ₩50,116.

Break-even: with commissions and tax, you need to sell at ₩50,116 or more just to avoid a loss on a ₩50,000 purchase. Small, frequent trades lose more to costs, so check the break-even price before you place a sell order.

Common mistakes

• From 2026 the tax on selling is 0.20% for both KOSPI and KOSDAQ (on KOSPI, 0.05% securities transaction tax plus 0.15% rural development tax).
• Korean listed shares sold on the exchange are free of capital gains tax for minority shareholders (major shareholders and off-market sales are exceptions); foreign shares are taxed at 22% above ₩2.5 million a year for residents.
• Even "zero commission" offers may still charge small exchange and clearing fees.
• Losses on tax-exempt Korean share trades cannot offset taxable gains on foreign shares.

Explanation checked on 2026-10-30 · Spotted an outdated value? Tell us