How to Apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): 2026 First Half Deadline and Benefits Summary

Single-person households can receive up to 1.75 million KRW, while three-person households can receive up to 3.3 million KRW in substantial support. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, operated by the National Tax Service, provides up to 1.15 million KRW (for the first half) or more, paid twice a year, by applying both labor deductions and income deductions to ensure economic stability for low-income earners. Applications for the first half of 2026 are due by September 15, while second-half applications are accepted until the deadline in December. You can apply easily via HomeTax or the mobile app without complex paperwork, ensuring no one misses out on these benefits. If you miss the confirmation period, you may forfeit benefits worth millions of KRW, so check now.

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How to Apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): 2026 First Half Deadline and Benefits Summary

1. Am I Eligible? Understanding the Criteria

Support is provided to households with labor income, business income, or religious worker income whose total income and assets fall below specific thresholds. Single-person households must have a total income of less than 22 million KRW, single-earner households less than 33 million KRW, and dual-earner households less than 44 million KRW. You must also meet asset criteria: regardless of household type, the combined assets of the applicant and their spouse (as of June 1 of the previous year) must be less than 200 million KRW. For instance, if the combined value of your apartment’s market price and financial assets is 190 million KRW, you likely meet the asset requirement. Household composition is also important; direct ascendants aged 65 or older, or direct descendants under 20, are included in the household definition. The safest way to verify your specific details is to check the “EITC Eligibility Check” menu on the National Tax Service’s HomeTax in real-time. If either spouse has assets exceeding 200 million KRW, the entire household is excluded from eligibility, so please review this carefully.

2. How Much Will I Receive? 2026 Payment Amounts

The fixed amount and labor income incentive rate vary by household type. Single-person households receive 330,000 KRW per 1 million KRW of labor income, single-earner households receive 440,000 KRW, and dual-earner households receive 510,000 KRW. However, there is a cap on the amount you can receive, so avoid overestimating. The maximum annual payment is 3.5 million KRW for single-person households, 4.6 million KRW for single-earner households, and 5.1 million KRW for dual-earner households. For semi-annual applications, the payment is limited to half of these amounts, i.e., up to 1.15 million KRW. If your income is high in the second half, you may be required to repay part of the amount already received in the first half (clawback). Since specific amounts can fluctuate if your income drops or rises sharply, be sure to check the settlement result notification.

3. Where Can I Apply?

The most convenient method is using HomeTax (PC) or the Mobile HomeTax app. After logging in with an internet authentication method (such as a common certificate, voice, credit card, or simple password), check your eligibility under “Salary & Year-End Settlement Information Inquiry” and click the “EITC Application” menu. You just need to select household members and register your bank account on the application screen. If you prefer to apply in person, you can visit your local tax office. If you don’t have a bank account, you can choose to receive National Housing Bonds, but if you prefer cash, you must register an account at a branch of IBK Enterprise Bank, Woori Bank, Shinhan Bank, etc. It is recommended to bring your ID and a copy of your passbook when visiting the tax office.

5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

If you have a spouse, the amount you receive depends on who applies. For dual-earner households, the spouse with the higher income should apply to receive the 510,000 KRW incentive rate and maximize the benefit. Both spouses cannot apply for duplicate benefits, and if the lower-earning spouse applies, the incentive may decrease, so be careful. The 200 million KRW asset threshold includes the total of pensions, deposits, stocks, and real estate market values, so you must calculate everything, no matter how small. If your income suddenly increases and you move into a higher income bracket, the deduction rate decreases, which can significantly reduce your benefits. If your income changes due to a job change or retirement, it will be recalculated based on the latest income standards when you apply for the second half.

6. Resolving Your Questions

If you encounter login issues during the HomeTax application or are unsure about your eligibility, you can use the National Tax Service consultation hotline, 126. After connecting with an agent, select the EITC guidance menu to receive advice tailored to your specific income and asset details. Even if the inquiry result does not show you as “eligible,” it may be due to insufficient documentation or missing information, so re-verification is necessary. Check if the cause is a missed income report from your workplace or business. If you are still unsure, connecting with a professional consultant is the best option. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding potential expansions of benefits through next year’s tax law amendments, so keep in mind the possibility of future amount changes.

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