Earned Income Tax Credit: Apply Late by December 1 ================================================== Households that have not applied for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for the 2025 tax year can apply by December 1, 2026 (South Korea), if eligible. Applications through Hometax are subject to income and asset limits, and late applications result in a 5% reduction. - Check your eligibility based on your 2025 income and household composition. - Add up the assets of all household members as of June 1, 2025. - Have a way to verify your identity and an account to receive payment ready. - Review your application details on Hometax and submit by December 1, 2026. - After applying, check the processing status under "Check Review Progress" on Hometax. If you missed applying for the earned income tax credit for the 2025 tax year, apply by December 1, 2026. Households that meet the income and asset requirements are eligible. Have a way to verify your identity and an account to receive payment ready, then apply through Hometax. Late applications receive 95% of the calculated amount. The amounts and dates are based on the National Tax Service's November 2, 2026 notice. How to submit a late application through Hometax Check the requirements on Hometax or Sontax, then submit your application. If you did not receive a notice, you can use the manual-entry application. This application period covers unclaimed credits for the 2025 tax year. Check your 2025 income, household composition, and assets. Compare them with the requirements table below to assess whether you can apply. Prepare a way to verify your identity, your contact details, and a payment account in your own name. If you have a notice, also check your individual authentication number. If you need to supplement your income records, prepare documents such as an income certificate from your workplace. Visit Hometax and select the regular application menu for earned income tax credits and child tax incentives. If you received a notice, you can also use its Apply link or QR code. Check the household, income, and asset requirements on the application screen. If the displayed information differs from your actual circumstances, use the manual-entry application. Even without a notice, apply with supporting documents if you meet the requirements. Enter your contact details and payment method, then select Apply. To receive payment into an account, check the bank and your account number. Review your application details after submitting. The Sontax application screen advises against using a seized account. It states that payments may not go through to Haengbok Jikimi accounts. Apply using another account in your own name instead. Please take care not to apply using a seized account. This wording appears on the Sontax earned income tax credit and child tax incentive application screen. Application routes depending on whether you received a notice The authentication method and application route differ depending on whether you received a notice. Situation Application route What to prepare You received a notice Apply link in the mobile notice, QR code in the mailed notice, Hometax, ARS Individual authentication number, identity verification details, payment information You did not receive a notice Log in to Hometax > Incentives > Regular Application for Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Incentive > Manual-Entry Application A way to verify your identity, any required proof of income The information on screen differs from your actual circumstances Hometax manual-entry application Corrected household, income, and asset information and supporting documents You have a notice but find online services difficult to use Incentive Counseling Center, 1566-3636 Identity verification details needed for application assistance The ARS application number is 1544-9944. If you are not among those designated to receive a notice, you cannot apply through ARS. Use Hometax or submit a paper application instead. Hometax and ARS applications are available from 06:00 to 24:00. The counseling center offers application assistance on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00. Check the authentication methods on the National Tax Service's Application Periods and Methods page. Earned income tax credit eligibility and income limits by household type Households with employment, business, or religious-worker income in 2025 are eligible to apply. This program supports the income of low-income working households. You must meet both the income and asset requirements. Household type Basic household classification criteria Combined annual total income of both spouses in 2025 Single-person household A household without a spouse, dependent children, or lineal ascendants aged at least 70 Less than 22 million won Single-earner household Includes households where the spouse's total pay and other qualifying income is less than 3 million won Less than 32 million won Dual-earner household The applicant and spouse each have total pay and other qualifying income of at least 3 million won Less than 44 million won Even without a spouse, you may qualify as a single-earner household depending on your dependents. The usual age requirement for dependent children is less than 18. Each dependent child and qualifying lineal ascendant must have annual income of at most 1 million won. For lineal ascendants, also check the requirements for living together and sharing living expenses. “Less than” in the income limits does not include an amount equal to the threshold. Even if both spouses work, you must check each person's total pay and other qualifying income. Household classification is not based solely on whether someone has a job. The difference between total income and total pay and other qualifying income The income used to assess eligibility differs from the income used to calculate the payment. Category What it is used for Income included Total income Determining whether the income requirement is met Employment, business, religious-worker, other, interest, dividend, and pension income Total pay and other qualifying income Calculating the payment and classifying households with a spouse Employment, business, and religious-worker income included in the calculation Business income is calculated by multiplying revenue by the adjustment rate for the business sector. Employment income included in total income is based on gross pay before tax. Tax-exempt income, retirement income, and capital gains are excluded from total income. Exclusions to check beyond income and assets Even if your income and assets are at or below the thresholds, you must check the exclusions. You are excluded if you were another resident's dependent child during 2025. You are excluded if you or your spouse operates a professional practice. In principle, you are excluded if you did not hold Republic of Korea nationality at the end of 2025. An exception applies if you have a spouse or dependent child with Korean nationality. The earned income tax credit has a separate exclusion for regular employees. It applies if you were still employed at the end of 2025 and had average monthly employment income of at least 5 million won. Your spouse must also be checked; daily workers are not covered by this exclusion. Check household classifications and detailed exclusions on the National Tax Service's Eligibility page. Requirements for late applications for the child tax incentive If you have dependent children aged less than 18, also check the child tax incentive. The combined annual total income of both spouses in 2025 must be less than 70 million won. You must also meet the asset requirements. The child tax incentive helps low-income households raise children. You may be able to apply even if you exceed the earned income tax credit's income limit. This is because the two programs have different income limits. Item to check Requirements for the 2025 tax year Eligible households Single-earner and dual-earner households with dependent children Usual age requirement for children Less than 18 Income requirement for dependent children Annual income of at most 1 million won Combined total income of both spouses Less than 70 million won Payment range before reductions From 500,000 won to 1 million won per dependent child The range above represents the program's amounts before reductions. The actual payment is reduced for late applications or according to asset requirements. You can check the basic payment structure in the National Tax Service's Introduction to the Child Tax Incentive. Asset limits and treatment of debt Add up the assets of all household members as of June 1, 2025. The total must be less than 240 million won. Debts, including loans, are not deducted from assets. Total assets Treatment under the asset requirements Less than 170 million won No 50% reduction based on assets At least 170 million won but less than 240 million won 50% of the calculated amount is paid At least 240 million won Asset requirement not met Assets include housing, land, deposits, stocks, and jeonse deposits. Checking only assets in your own name may leave out part of the household total. See the National Tax Service's eligibility guidance for valuation methods by asset type. (Verified figures: deemed jeonse deposit for housing, 55% of the standard assessed value; housing rented from lineal ascendants or descendants, 100% of the housing value; 2025 tax year · Source ems.nts.go.kr · Checked 2026-11-05) Reference dates to check after leaving a job or moving If your circumstances have changed, check the reference date for each item separately. This application covers the 2025 tax year. Do not judge eligibility based only on your current income or current bank balance. Item to check Applicable date or period What to check if your circumstances have changed Income Full year of 2025 Check your 2025 income even if you have since left your job Household composition December 31, 2025 Check your spouse and dependent relationships at that time Asset values June 1, 2025 Check the assets and jeonse deposits held at that time Contact details and payment account When applying Enter a number where you can currently be reached and an account that can receive payment Temporary part-time income earned in 2025 may also be considered. You do not need to give up on applying simply because you have since left your job. Even without a notice, check the income and asset requirements yourself. Earned income tax credit reductions and calculation examples The 5% reduction for late applications is separate from the asset-based reduction. If both conditions apply, both are reflected in the payment. The amount actually deposited may also vary because of other deductions. Item How it applies Late application 95% of the applicable incentive is paid Assets of at least 170 million won but less than 240 million won 50% of the applicable incentive is paid Overlap between the child tax credit and child tax incentive The child tax credit amount is deducted Unpaid national taxes Up to 30% of the refund is applied to unpaid taxes The maximum earned income tax credit for each household type is the amount before reductions. It is 1.65 million won for single-person households and 2.85 million won for single-earner households. The stated maximum for dual-earner households is 3.3 million won. These amounts are the payment limits listed in the National Tax Service's Introduction to the Earned Income Tax Credit. Calculation example using the maximum amount for a single-person household This calculation assumes a single-person household with a calculated amount of 1.65 million won before reductions. It applies only when the income conditions result in the maximum amount. The results below exclude other deductions or amounts applied to unpaid taxes. Asset condition Calculation Result Less than 170 million won 1.65 million won × 95% 1,567,500 won At least 170 million won but less than 240 million won 1.65 million won × 50% × 95% 783,750 won Not every single-person household's payment is calculated from 1.65 million won. The amount is first calculated based on income. Check reductions and deductions on the National Tax Service's Review and Payment page. Common points of confusion between regular and semiannual applications This late application is for annual income earned in 2025. Distinguish it from semiannual applications covering 2026 income. It is worth checking the tax year when choosing the application menu. Category Income covered Application period Regular application for the 2025 tax year Annual income for 2025 May 1 to June 1, 2026 This late application Annual income for 2025 June 2 to December 1, 2026 Application for the first half of 2026 Employment income for the first half of 2026 September 1 to September 15, 2026 Application for the second half of 2026 Employment income for the second half of 2026 March 1 to March 15, 2027 If you have only employment income, you can choose between regular and semiannual applications. If you have business or religious-worker income, you must use the regular application. If you have already applied, check your application details before submitting again. Scheduled payment date and checking review results The scheduled payment date in this notice is January 15, 2027. The National Tax Service makes payments after reviewing income, assets, and other information. Even if you received a notice, you may not receive payment depending on the review results. Log in to Hometax. Under Incentives, Year-End Tax Settlement, and Donations, select Regular/Semiannual Application for Earned Income Tax Credit. Check the processing status under Review Progress Inquiry. The usual payment deadline for late applications is within 4 months of the application date. The scheduled date in this notice does not guarantee payment to each applicant on that date. The estimated amount may also differ from the final payment. The deadline and this payment plan are stated in the National Tax Service's November 2, 2026 press release. FAQ Q. What is the deadline for late applications for the 2025 tax year? A. You can apply until December 1, 2026. The National Tax Service states that late applications cannot be submitted after this deadline. Q. Can I apply even if I did not receive a notice? A. You can apply if you meet the income, asset, and other requirements. Attach the required income documentation and other supporting documents when applying through the manual entry option in Hometax. If you are not eligible to receive a notice, you cannot apply through ARS. Q. Can I still be eligible to apply if I am no longer employed? A. You may be eligible if you had employment income, business income, or religious worker income in 2025. Check your 2025 income and the household and asset requirements rather than your current employment status. Q. Can I apply even if I only worked part-time briefly? A. Income from part-time or daily work in 2025 may also qualify for consideration. You are not excluded simply because you worked for only a short period. Check the other application requirements as well. Q. Are loans deducted from my assets? A. Debts are not deducted from total assets. Eligibility is assessed based on household members' assets as of June 1, 2025. Q. Will my payment be reduced if my assets are exactly 170 million won? A. If your total assets are at least 170 million won, you fall within the asset bracket subject to a 50% reduction. However, your total assets must be less than 240 million won to apply. Q. Do the asset-based reduction and the late application reduction both apply? A. If you meet both conditions, each applies. Calculate the 50% payment rate based on assets and the 95% payment rate for late applications separately. Q. If I exceed the income limit for the Earned Income Tax Credit, am I also ineligible for the Child Tax Credit? A. The two programs have different income limits. The Child Tax Credit requires a married couple's combined total income to be less than 70 million won. You must also meet the other requirements, including those for dependent children and assets. Q. Will the payment definitely be deposited on January 15, 2027? A. That is the scheduled payment date stated in this notice. Whether you receive a payment and the amount may vary depending on the review results. Check your application status under Review Progress in Hometax. Q. Can I apply using a Haengbokjigimi account? A. Sontax advises that tax credit payments may not be deposited into Haengbokjigimi accounts in some cases. Apply using another account in your own name. You should also take care not to use an account subject to seizure. Q. Where can I get help if I find it difficult to apply online? A. If you received a notice, you can request application assistance from the Tax Credit Counseling Center at 1566-3636. Application assistance is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00. Sources - National Tax Service: If you missed applying for earned income and child tax credits in May, be sure to apply by 12.1., November 2, 2026: https://ems.nts.go.kr/nts/na/ntt/selectNttInfo.do?mi=2201&nttSn=1355806 - Sontax earned income and child tax credit application screen: https://mob.tbwf.hometax.go.kr/jsonAction.do?actionId=UTBWFBAA70F001 - National Tax Service earned income and child tax credit eligibility: https://ems.nts.go.kr/nts/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=7783&mi=2452 - National Tax Service earned income and child tax credit application period and methods: https://www.nts.go.kr/nts/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=238977&mi=40397 - National Tax Service earned income and child tax credit review and payment: https://www.nts.go.kr/nts/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=7784&mi=2453 - National Tax Service introduction to the earned income tax credit: https://ems.nts.go.kr/nts/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=7781&mi=2450 - National Tax Service introduction to the child tax credit: https://ems.nts.go.kr/nts/cm/cntnts/cntntsView.do?cntntsId=7782&mi=2451 Images - A woman in a purple cardigan taps a tablet at a dining table while a child puts papers in a backpack behind her.: https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzgzMjcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--e76978133447e9076da5efb9ea08eff27fa2d49a/ai-f52054b6.webp - Older man talking on a smartphone in an armchair by a window, with a customer support symbol beside him: https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzgzMzUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--fbf0ff45b39e255743f2087be3b35f35db4c46de/ai-9744030d.webp --- Category: Policy Guide Source: https://onbinder.com/en/articles/earned-income-child-tax-credit-late-application-december-2026 License: cc_by Translation-Status: reviewed