Quick answer: On Oct. 25, 2026, South Korea’s presidential office moved toward another South Korea crypto tax delay, Seoul Economic Daily reported. The 22% tax on yearly crypto gains above 2.5 million won is due Jan. 1, 2027, but a ruling-party bill would push it to 2029. Lawmakers are expected to settle it in the November tax review.
A fourth South Korea crypto tax delay now looks likely. On Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, a presidential office official told Seoul Economic Daily that “the discussion has moved toward delaying implementation of the crypto tax,” which is set to start on Jan. 1, 2027.
The shift matters well beyond Seoul. Korea is one of the world’s busiest crypto markets, and a delay keeps millions of local traders untaxed for at least two more years.
Is South Korea delaying its crypto tax again?
Very likely, but it is not final yet. Seoul Economic Daily reported that the presidential office has chosen another postponement, citing unfinished collection systems and the views of young investors.
However, Financial News quoted another official on the same day who said the delay is “under review” and “nothing has been decided.” The office plans to settle its position in government-party talks after this month’s parliamentary audit ends. Then lawmakers are expected to amend the law during the November tax review.
We first covered the push on Oct. 19, when exchanges were set to meet officials as delay calls grew. Since then, the government has moved from “tax as scheduled” to openly weighing a delay.
What is the 22% crypto tax in South Korea?
The tax comes from a 2020 revision of the Income Tax Act. It covers income from selling or lending crypto assets such as Bitcoin. After a basic yearly deduction of 2.5 million won, gains face a combined 22% rate: 20% income tax plus 2% local income tax, per Financial News.
The start date has already slipped three times, from 2022 to 2023, then to 2025 and then to 2027, according to The Korea Times. Under the current timetable, the first filing deadline would fall in May 2028.
Why is the crypto tax being pushed to 2029?
The main reason is cross-border data. Under the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), tax agencies swap data on users’ trades with each other. Data sharing starts next year, but only 46 countries, including South Korea and Japan, will take part at first, Financial News reported. The United States is not expected to join until 2029.
As a result, officials worry the tax would hit users of local exchanges harder than people who trade offshore. That is why Democratic Party lawmaker Park Min-gyu filed a bill to start the tax two years after the first CARF data swap, which in practice means 2029.
There are other gaps too. The tax does not let traders carry losses into the next year, and offshore users may struggle to prove what they paid for their coins, The Asia Business Daily reported.
Who supports the delay?
Support is broad. The opposition People Power Party has adopted a delay as its official position. Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said on Oct. 22, “We need to settle this this year,” per Financial News.
What does the delay mean for crypto markets?
For local traders, it removes a Jan. 1 deadline that could have pushed some to sell before the tax started. It also keeps Korea’s won-based exchanges on equal footing with offshore venues for now.
The market is quiet but large. At 06:50 UTC on Oct. 25, CoinGecko showed Upbit’s 24-hour volume at about 25,400 BTC. Bitcoin traded near $80,485, down 0.3% in 24 hours; see our live Bitcoin price page.
Tax policy is shifting elsewhere too. France, for example, recently passed a stablecoin tax by a single vote.
What to watch next
- The end of the October audit. The presidential office and the ruling party are expected to meet right after it.
- The Nov. 2 forum. The finance ministry is due to join a National Assembly forum on crypto tax rules, per The Asia Business Daily.
- The November tax review. Lawmakers must amend the law before Jan. 1, 2027, or the tax starts on schedule.
South Korea crypto tax delay FAQ
When does South Korea’s crypto tax start?
Under current law, it starts on Jan. 1, 2027. However, as of Oct. 25, 2026, the presidential office and both main parties favor a delay, likely to 2029.
How much is the crypto tax in South Korea?
It is a combined 22% rate on yearly crypto gains above a 2.5 million won deduction. That is 20% national income tax plus 2% local income tax.
Why would the tax start in 2029?
A ruling-party bill ties the start to the OECD’s CARF data sharing. The U.S. is not expected to join until 2029, so officials fear offshore traders would escape the tax.
Is the delay official?
Not yet. One official said on Oct. 25, 2026, that “nothing has been decided.” The law must be changed by the National Assembly, likely in the November tax review.
Not financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile; do your own research (DYOR) before you trade.
