WhereToPayLessTax

Japan

Asia
VS

South Korea

Asia

Japan vs South Korea Tax Comparison

🇯🇵 View Japan full profile →🇰🇷 View South Korea full profile →

Summary

1

🇯🇵 Japan

2

Ties

4

🇰🇷 South Korea

🇰🇷 South Korea has lower tax rates in more categories

Tax Rates Comparison

Category
🇯🇵Japan
🇰🇷South Korea
Top Income Tax Rate
45%
45%
Corporate Tax Rate
30.62%
24%Lower
VAT / Sales Tax
10%
10%
Capital Gains Tax
20.315%Lower
22%
Employee Social Security
15%
9.4%Lower
Employer Social Security
15%
10.1%Lower
Self-Employed Social Security
30%
19.5%Lower

Living Indicators

Category
🇯🇵Japan
🇰🇷South Korea
Cost of Living Index
74
67Lower
Quality of Life Index
73
69Lower
Tax Treaties
78Lower
93

Income Tax Brackets

Japan

0 - 1,950,0005%
1,950,000 - 3,300,00010%
3,300,000 - 6,950,00020%
6,950,000 - 9,000,00023%
9,000,000 - 18,000,00033%
18,000,000 - 40,000,00040%
40,000,000+45%

Plus 2.1% reconstruction surcharge and 10% resident tax. Effective top rate ~55%.

South Korea

0 - 14,000,0006%
14,000,000 - 50,000,00015%
50,000,000 - 88,000,00024%
88,000,000 - 150,000,00035%
150,000,000 - 300,000,00038%
300,000,000 - 500,000,00040%
500,000,000 - 1,000,000,00042%
1,000,000,000+45%

Plus local income tax of 10% of national tax. Effective top rate ~49.5%.

Special Tax Regimes

Japan

No special tax regimes available.

South Korea

Flat Tax for Foreign Workers

19% flat tax rate on gross salary for up to 5 years.

Digital Nomad Visa

JapanAvailable

Digital Nomad Visa launched 2024. Up to 6 months. Must earn over 10M JPY/year. Must be from visa-exempt country.

South KoreaAvailable

Workcation (K-Visa) launched 2024. For remote workers from qualifying countries. Valid up to 2 years.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making decisions about your tax residency or obligations.

Data last updated: Japan (2024-01) · South Korea (2024-01)

🇯🇵 View Japan Details🇰🇷 View South Korea Details