Why did Korea's tax revenue rise in July 2026?

The increase came mainly from higher collections of income tax and securities transaction tax. The finance ministry said income tax rose partly because of higher wages and more housing transactions, while bullish securities markets lifted transaction-tax revenue.

How much tax did the Korean government collect in July 2026?

The government collected 51 trillion won in taxes in July. That was up 8.4 trillion won from the same month a year earlier.

What drove the increase in value-added tax revenue in July 2026?

Value-added tax revenue rose by 3.2 trillion won to 24.6 trillion won. The article says the increase was due to growth in imports.

Tax revenue up $6 bil. in July on higher wages, brisk stock trading

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Summary

Korea's tax revenue rose by 8.4 trillion won in July from a year earlier, driven by higher income and securities transaction taxes. The government collected 51 trillion won last month, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Income tax revenue increased to 13.6 trillion won, while securities transaction tax revenue rose to 1.4 trillion won. Value-added tax revenue also climbed to 24.6 trillion won on import growth.

Key Facts

Income tax revenue rose by 1.8 trillion won year on year to 13.6 trillion won in July.
The finance ministry linked the income tax increase partly to higher wages and increased housing transactions.
Securities transaction tax collection rose by 1.1 trillion won to 1.4 trillion won, reflecting bullish securities markets.
Value-added tax revenue increased by 3.2 trillion won to 24.6 trillion won because of growth in imports.
For January through July, tax earnings reached 274 trillion won, up 41.4 trillion won from a year earlier.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 31, 2026 11:22 am KST

Korea's tax revenue rose by 8.4 trillion won ($6 billion) in July from a year earlier on higher collections of income and securities transaction taxes, data showed Monday.

The government collected 51 trillion won in taxes last month, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

Income tax revenue rose by 1.8 trillion won to 13.6 trillion won. The finance ministry attributed the increase partly to higher wages and increased housing transactions.

The country's bullish securities markets also contributed to the growth, with securities transaction tax collection rising by 1.1 trillion won to 1.4 trillion won.

Value-added tax revenue increased by 3.2 trillion won to 24.6 trillion won due to growth in imports.

For the January-July period, Seoul's tax earnings came to 274 trillion won, up a sharp 41.4 trillion won from a year earlier.

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