How to use the brokerage fee and tax calculator
- Choose the transaction type (sale or lease) and property type, then enter the price or deposit in units of 10,000 KRW. Add monthly rent if there is one.
- For a sale, choose how many homes you will own after purchase, whether the net area exceeds 85 m², and whether you meet the first-time buyer reduction.
- Read the maximum brokerage fee with VAT and the totals for acquisition tax, local education tax and special rural development tax in the result.
How fees and acquisition tax are set (2026 basis)
For housing sales the maximum brokerage rate is 0.6% (cap 250,000 KRW) under 50 million KRW, 0.5% (cap 800,000 KRW) from 50 million to under 200 million, 0.4% from 200 million to under 900 million, 0.5% from 900 million to under 1.2 billion, 0.6% from 1.2 to under 1.5 billion, and 0.7% from 1.5 billion. For leases it is 0.5% (cap 200,000 KRW) under 50 million, 0.4% (cap 300,000 KRW) from 50 to under 100 million, 0.3% from 100 to under 600 million, 0.4% from 600 million to under 1.2 billion, 0.5% from 1.2 to under 1.5 billion, and 0.6% from 1.5 billion. Residential officetels are 0.5% for sales and 0.4% for leases, while land and shops are negotiated up to 0.9%.
Acquisition tax on an onerous home purchase is 1% up to 600 million KRW, (price × 2/300 million − 3)% between 600 and 900 million rising continuously from 1% to 3%, and 3% above 900 million. Local education tax at 10% of the rate and a 0.2% special rural development tax above 85 m² are added. Multi-home owners face heavy rates such as 8% for a second home and 12% for a third in adjustment areas, and corporations pay 12%. For example, a 750 million KRW home has a 2% rate, so acquisition tax is 15 million KRW plus 1.5 million KRW of education tax.
Ways to cut cost and easy-to-miss points
The brokerage fee is a maximum, so it can be negotiated. Explaining local prices and deal difficulty and confirming the amount and whether VAT is included in writing or by message before the contract reduces disputes. For deals that combine a sale and a lease there are separate calculation methods such as using the sale price, so ask the agent for the basis.
The first-time buyer reduction cuts up to 2 million KRW of acquisition tax for someone with no home history buying their first home, with conditions such as a price up to 1.2 billion KRW and actual residence, and higher caps for small low-priced homes or depopulation areas. Rules and caps can change with legislation, so check the rules at the time of acquisition. This tool reflects only the basic 2 million KRW cap.
Before you transact
- The acquisition tax filing deadline is within 60 days of the acquisition date.
- Legal scrivener fees, registration costs and housing bond costs are separate.
- Your home count can include presale rights, union membership rights and residential officetels.
- Adjustment area designation changes over time, so check right before the contract.
- Ask for a receipt or cash receipt for the brokerage fee.
FAQ
Do the seller and buyer each pay the brokerage fee?
Yes. Each party who requested the brokerage pays their own fee, and the result is for one client. The fee is agreed with the agent within the legal maximum, and charging above the maximum violates the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act.
How is monthly rent converted into a transaction value?
The lease value is the deposit plus 100 times the monthly rent. If that is under 50 million KRW, it is recalculated as the deposit plus 70 times the monthly rent. This tool does that conversion automatically when you enter a monthly rent.
When and how is acquisition tax paid?
For onerous acquisition you must file and pay within 60 days of the acquisition date, which is the earlier of the balance payment or registration date. Local education tax and special rural development tax are added, and the rural tax is exempt for homes of 85 m² or less. This tool does not include legal scrivener fees, registration costs or housing bond purchase costs.
Notes & limitations
This calculator is a rough reference estimate based on rates in force as of October 2026 and is not tax or legal advice. Rates and reductions can change with legislation and local ordinances, so confirm with your local government, a licensed agent or a tax professional before transacting or filing.