2026 Real Estate Acquisition Tax Calculation — Complete Tax Guide by KRW 500M, 1B, and 1.5B Price Ranges

Key Summary

• As of 2026, a single-home owner who acquires a home priced at KRW 600 million or less is subject to a 1% acquisition tax rate, rising to 3% for homes over KRW 900 million.
• When acquiring a second or additional home in a regulated area, higher tax rates of 8% to 12% apply, significantly increasing the tax burden.

• First-time homebuyers, newlyweds, and multi-child households can substantially reduce acquisition tax through tax relief benefits.

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Key answer: In 2026, single-home owners are taxed at 1% for homes up to KRW 600 million and 3% for homes over KRW 900 million.

Table of Contents

1. 1What is acquisition tax?
2. 2Basic acquisition tax rate structure for 2026
3. 3Tax rate differences for one home, two homes, and three or more homes
4. 4What is the higher tax rate in regulated areas, and how much more do you pay?
5. 5Real calculation examples for KRW 500M, 1B, and 1.5B
6. 6Complete guide to acquisition tax relief benefits
7. 7Additional taxes and costs besides acquisition tax
8. 8FAQ

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What is acquisition tax?

Acquisition tax is a local tax paid when acquiring certain assets such as real estate, vehicles, or machinery. It applies when you purchase a home, receive one by gift or inheritance, or first acquire a newly built building. The taxpayer must file and pay within 60 days from the acquisition date, which is the earlier of the final payment date or the registration date. If the deadline is missed, a 20% non-filing penalty and late-payment interest are added.

Acquisition tax consists broadly of three parts: the main acquisition tax, local education tax, and special tax for rural development. Although people commonly call the entire amount "acquisition tax," it is important to remember that the actual payment total combines all three.

• Local education tax: 10% of the main acquisition tax (20% in some brackets)
• Special tax for rural development: An additional 10% of the main acquisition tax, only for homes with exclusive-use area over 85㎡

For example, if the main acquisition tax rate is 1%, the local education tax adds 0.1%, making the effective rate 1.1%. If the exclusive-use area exceeds 85㎡, the special tax for rural development adds 0.2%, bringing the actual total burden to 1.3%.

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Basic acquisition tax rate structure for 2026

Residential acquisition tax rates are applied by dividing brackets based on the acquisition price. The table below shows the 2026 rates currently in effect for single-home owners, including non-regulated areas.

Tax rate formula for the over KRW 600 million to KRW 900 million bracket

In this bracket, the rate rises linearly according to the acquisition price. The formula is as follows.

Tax rate (%) = (acquisition price × 2/300 million) - 3

For example, if the acquisition price is KRW 750 million:

• Tax rate = (750 million × 2/300 million) - 3 = 5 - 3 = 2%

As shown, the KRW 600 million to KRW 900 million range does not use a single fixed percentage. A different rate applies at each price point, so careful calculation is required.

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Tax rate differences for one home, two homes, and three or more homes

Single-home owners

Single-home owners are subject to the basic rates described above, ranging from 1% to 3%. The single-home owner rate also applies if you currently do not own a home or if you acquire a new home on the condition that you dispose of your existing home.

Two-home owners

The tax rate for two-home owners differs significantly depending on whether the acquisition area is a regulated area.

• Non-regulated area: Basic rate of 1% to 3% applies as usual
• Regulated area: Higher 8% tax rate applies (however, an exemption may be possible if temporary two-home requirements are met)

Three or more homes (multi-home owners)

For owners of three or more homes, higher tax rates increase regardless of whether the area is regulated.

• Acquisition of a third home in a non-regulated area: 8%
• Acquisition of a third home in a regulated area: 12%
• Corporate home acquisition: 12%, regardless of regulated or non-regulated status

The table below provides an at-a-glance comparison.

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What is the higher tax rate in regulated areas, and how much more do you pay?

What is a regulated area?

A regulated area is an area designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport when home price growth exceeds a certain multiple of inflation or when housing subscription competition rates are excessively high. As of 2026, major areas in the Seoul metropolitan region, including all of Seoul, are designated as regulated areas. Current designations should be checked regularly on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport website.

How much more does the higher tax actually cost?

Consider the case of acquiring a second home in a regulated area. If you acquire an apartment with an acquisition price of KRW 1 billion:

• If acquired as a single-home owner: Main acquisition tax of 3% -> KRW 30 million
• If acquired as a two-home owner in a regulated area: Main acquisition tax of 8% -> KRW 80 million

Even comparing only the main tax, the difference is a substantial KRW 50 million. Once local education tax and special tax for rural development are added, the actual payment gap becomes even larger.

Temporary two-home special rule

Even if you acquire a new home while already owning an existing home, you may retroactively receive the single-home tax rate if you dispose of the existing home within a certain period. The requirements as of 2026 are as follows.

• Dispose of the existing home within 2 years from the acquisition date of the new home
• Applies equally even when both the existing and new homes are in regulated areas
• If the disposal deadline is missed, the tax is reassessed at the higher rate and penalties are imposed

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Real calculation examples for KRW 500M, 1B, and 1.5B

All examples below are based on an apartment with an exclusive-use area of 84㎡ (85㎡ or less). The special tax for rural development is excluded, and the amounts combine only the main tax and local education tax.

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Example 1: Acquisition price KRW 500 million — single-home owner, non-regulated area

KRW 500 million falls in the KRW 600 million-or-less bracket, so the 1% main acquisition tax rate applies.

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Example 2: Acquisition price KRW 1 billion — single-home owner, non-regulated area

KRW 1 billion falls in the over-KRW 900 million bracket, so the 3% main acquisition tax rate applies.

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Example 3: Acquisition price KRW 1 billion — two-home owner, regulated area

This is the same KRW 1 billion apartment, but it is acquired as a second home in a regulated area.

This creates an additional burden of KRW 55 million compared with KRW 33 million under the single-home standard.

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Example 4: Acquisition price KRW 1.5 billion — single-home owner, non-regulated area

KRW 1.5 billion falls in the over-KRW 900 million bracket, so the 3% main acquisition tax rate applies.

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Example 5: Acquisition price KRW 1.5 billion — three-home owner, regulated area

When acquiring a third home in a regulated area, the higher 12% tax rate applies.

This is an additional burden of KRW 148.5 million compared with KRW 49.5 million under the single-home standard. Because more than 13% of the acquisition price is paid as tax at once, a tax plan is essential before deciding to acquire multiple homes.

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Additional special tax for rural development when exclusive-use area exceeds 85㎡

When acquiring a home with an exclusive-use area over 85㎡, such as an apartment exceeding the national housing size, the special tax for rural development is added. In the basic single-home rate brackets of 1% and 3%, the additional burden is 10% of the main acquisition tax, or 0.2%. In the higher tax brackets of 8% and 12%, the additional rates are 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively.

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Complete guide to acquisition tax relief benefits

Below is a summary of representative relief programs that can reduce the acquisition tax burden. Because many relief benefits cannot be applied together, you should choose and apply for the option most advantageous to you.

1. First-time homebuyer relief

If you are buying a home for the first time in your life, you can receive acquisition tax relief of up to KRW 2 million. Since the 2024 tax law revision, the income requirement has been abolished, so you only need to meet the first-time homebuyer requirement.

• Relief rate: Full exemption up to KRW 2 million
• Condition: Neither the buyer nor any household member must have a history of owning a home
• Eligible homes: Regardless of home type or price (however, a 3-year actual residence obligation applies)

2. Newlywed acquisition tax relief

Newlyweds within 5 years of marriage registration may receive additional relief when acquiring their first home.

• Acquisition tax relief of up to KRW 3 million (cannot be applied separately from first-time homebuyer relief; choose the more favorable option)
• Must meet household combined income standards (varies by local government)

3. Multi-child household relief

The relief rate varies depending on the number of children, and each local government may operate the program differently.

• 2 children: 50% acquisition tax relief (subject to a maximum amount)
• 3 or more children: 100% acquisition tax relief (up to KRW 5 million)

4. Rental housing acquisition relief

If you acquire a home for public rental purposes or register an apartment or multi-unit home of 60㎡ or less for rental, you may receive 50% to 100% acquisition tax relief. However, if you fail to satisfy the mandatory rental period of 4 or 8 years, the relieved tax amount will be recaptured.

5. Rural housing acquisition relief

When acquiring a rural home in an eup or myeon area, acquisition tax may be exempted for homes below certain standards. This is operated as part of rural relocation and return-to-farming policies, so you should inquire with the relevant city or county.

6. Corporate restructuring-related relief

Real estate acquisitions resulting from corporate restructuring, such as corporate divisions, mergers, or in-kind contributions, may receive a reduced rate or exemption under separate relief rules.

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Additional taxes and costs besides acquisition tax

When acquiring real estate, the following costs should also be considered in addition to acquisition tax.

When all of these costs are added together, the initial cost is effectively about 4% to 6% of the acquisition price. If you purchase a KRW 1 billion apartment as a single-home owner, you should expect roughly KRW 40 million to 60 million in ancillary costs, including acquisition tax.

If acquisition tax calculation feels complicated, you can use the tax calculator tool to quickly estimate expected acquisition tax simply by entering the acquisition price and number of homes.

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FAQ

Q1. When must acquisition tax be paid?

The acquisition date, which is the earlier of the final payment date or the registration date.

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Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport real estate statistics