What is HomeTax

What is HomeTax?

HomeTax (홈택스) is the Korean National Tax Service’s (NTS) online portal designed to streamline and digitize tax-related tasks for individuals, businesses, and tax professionals. It allows users to perform a wide range of tax functions without visiting a tax office.

HomeTax is operated by the 국세청 (National Tax Service, NTS) and is widely used for both personal and corporate tax administration in South Korea.

Credit: Hometax

What Can You Do on HomeTax?

HomeTax offers a wide range of services across personal and business categories. Here's a breakdown:

For Individuals:

• View tax payment history

• Check income and tax deduction details (근로소득/사업소득 자료)

• Apply for and download electronic tax certificates

• Issue or verify tax invoices (세금계산서)

• Request a refund or payment of taxes

• Pre-fill and submit year-end tax settlement forms

• Check property-related taxes like 종합부동산세

  
  

For Businesses:

• Issue and manage electronic tax invoices

• File VAT, corporate, and income taxes

• Check withholding tax records

• Submit various business tax reports

• Request tax exemption documentation

• Access real-time tax account information

  
  

Common Services:

• Tax payment and refund status tracking

• Digital certificate (공동인증서) management

• My NTS Inbox (내 문서함)

• Mobile services via 손택스 (SonTax), the mobile version of HomeTax

How to Log In to HomeTax

You can access HomeTax through https://www.hometax.go.kr.

Login Methods:

1. Digital Certificate (공동/금융인증서):

   • Required for most services, especially involving personal or corporate data.

   • You can obtain one from banks, accredited providers, or directly through HomeTax.

2. PASS Mobile App (Biometric Login):

   • Limited to certain functions.

   • Requires smartphone authentication and prior setup.

3. Simple Login (간편인증):

   • Uses methods like Kakao, Naver, KB, Toss, etc.

   • Increasingly supported for personal tax services.

Mobile Access: 손택스 (Sontax)

HomeTax also has a mobile version called 손택스 (Sontax), available on iOS and Android. This app offers many of the same features as the web version, including:

• Year-end tax settlement review

• Income deduction certificate issuance

• Simple login and biometric authentication

Language Support

HomeTax’s default interface is in Korean, but they offer limited English, Chinese, and Vietnamese versions for foreigners, covering key services like:

• Tax return guidance

• Residency certificate issuance

• Business registration support

For full functionality, Korean proficiency or support from a local accountant may be needed.

Who Uses HomeTax?

HomeTax is mandatory for:

• Corporations

• Freelancers and sole proprietors

• Foreign residents with income in Korea

• Employers for payroll tax filing

• Anyone filing personal or business tax forms

Tips for Foreign Users

• You’ll need a Korean Alien Registration Card (ARC) to register and obtain a digital certificate.

• Foreigners can also designate an accounting agent to access HomeTax on their behalf.

• Most embassies and global consulting firms in Korea are familiar with HomeTax navigation for expats.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using HomeTax for Businesses

1. Prepare Required Items

To use HomeTax as a business, you'll need:

• A business registration number (사업자등록번호)

• A corporate/representative digital certificate (사업자용 공동인증서) – this is different from a personal one

• A PC with security modules (ActiveX or EXE-based) or the Sontax app if mobile

  
  

2. Access the HomeTax Website

• Go to: https://www.hometax.go.kr

• Click the 로그인 (Login) button on the top right.

  
  

3. Choose Login Method

For businesses, the recommended method is:

▶ 공동/금융 인증서 로그인 (Certificate Login)

• Choose 사업자 (Business) if prompted

• Insert your USB or smartcard (if using hardware-based certificate)

• Click “인증서 로그인”

  
  

4. Logging in With a Business Digital Certificate

Here’s how to log in step-by-step:

1. Click “공동인증서 로그인”

2. Select the 사업자용 인증서 from the list

3. Enter the business certificate password (not your personal one)

4. If using a card reader (범용인증서 카드 or 기업용 보안토큰), insert the card and authenticate

5. Wait for the security modules to verify and approve login

Once logged in, you'll be in the business dashboard.

Common Post-Login Services for Businesses

After login, you can access:

Service	Description
전자(세금)계산서 발급/조회	Issue or view tax invoices
부가가치세 신고	VAT filing
원천세 신고	Withholding tax filing
사업자등록 관련 신청	Business registration or change
세금 납부	Pay taxes or view payment status
각종 증명서 발급	Issue tax-related certificates (납세증명서, 사업자등록증명 등)

How to Issue a Tax Invoice (전자세금계산서)

1. 로그인 후 click "전자세금계산서"

2. Click "세금계산서 작성"

3. Enter:

   • Supplier (공급자) info – auto-filled if you're logged in

   • Buyer (공급받는자) info – business number, name

   • Transaction details – item, amount, VAT

4. Click 저장 및 전송

   
   

Optional: Set Up and Use 손택스 (Sontax) App

1. Download 손택스 from the App Store or Google Play

2. Register your business certificate on your smartphone

3. Use biometric login or 인증서 login

4. Access year-end settlements, basic filings, and certificate issuance on the go

   
   

How to Register or Renew a Business Certificate

1. Visit a certified authority like KFTC, KICA, NICE, or your corporate bank

2. Request a business certificate (사업자용 공동인증서)

3. Provide:

   • Business registration certificate

   • Representative's ID

   • Power of attorney if not the representative

4. Store it securely in:

   • USB drive

   • Secure token

   • PC hard drive

Troubleshooting Login Issues

Issue	Solution
인증서가 안 보임	Reinstall 인증서 program (설치프로그램 링크 on HomeTax login page)
로그인 안 됨	Try using Internet Explorer or Edge in compatibility mode
사업자 인증서 분실	Reissue through issuing authority or bank
공동대표 로그인	Must register each 대표’s 인증서 separately under the business name

 Step-by-Step Guide: HomeTax for Individuals

1. What You Need to Get Started

Before you log in as an individual, make sure you have:

• Korean resident registration number (주민등록번호) or Alien Registration Number (외국인등록번호) if you're a foreigner

• A personal digital certificate (개인용 공동인증서) — obtained from your bank or a certification authority

• A PC (with ActiveX-type security programs) or smartphone (for biometric access)

• Optional: Mobile apps like PASS, Kakao, or Toss for simple login

  
  

2. Go to the HomeTax Website

• Visit https://www.hometax.go.kr

• Click 로그인 (Login) on the top-right corner

  
  

3. Choose a Login Method

You’ll see several login options. As an individual, these are your main choices:

Option 1: 공동/금융 인증서 로그인 (Digital Certificate Login)

• Most secure and commonly used

• Click 공동인증서 로그인

• Choose your certificate (must be 개인용)

• Enter your certificate password

  
  

Option 2: 간편인증 로그인 (Simple Login)

• Available through services like:

  • PASS

  • Kakao

  • KB

  • Naver

  • Toss

• Click your preferred provider and follow their mobile verification process

  
  

Option 3: 아이디 로그인 (ID Login) – Limited Features

• Only for viewing basic content, not for tax filing or document requests

  
  

4. How to Obtain a Digital Certificate (개인 공동인증서)

Option A: Via Your Bank

1. Visit your Korean bank's online banking site

2. Register for online banking and request a 공동인증서

3. Download and save it to:

   • PC (hard drive or USB)

   • Mobile device (via apps)

4. Set a password you’ll remember

   
   

Option B: Use the HomeTax-issued certificate

1. Go to https://www.hometax.go.kr

2. Navigate to 인증센터 (Certificate Center)

3. Follow prompts to issue or import an existing certificate

   
   

After Login: What Can Individuals Do?

Menu	Description
My NTS (마이홈택스)	Personalized dashboard
소득/세액공제 조회	View income and tax deductions
연말정산 간소화	Pre-fill year-end tax settlement (simplified data)
전자세금계산서 조회	View tax invoices you’ve received
세금 신고 및 납부	File and pay income, local, and VAT taxes
납세증명서 발급	Issue tax payment certificates
종합부동산세 확인	Property-related taxes (if applicable)

Using the 손택스 (Sontax) Mobile App

1. Download “손택스” from your app store

2. Register your 인증서 or activate biometric login

3. Use it for:

   • Year-end tax settlement

   • Checking tax invoice history

   • Downloading certificates

   • Income deduction review

How to Use HomeTax for Year-End Tax Settlement (연말정산 간소화)

1. Log in using your certificate

2. Click 연말정산간소화

3. Select the year

4. View pre-filled data: income, health insurance, donations, education expenses, etc.

5. Download and submit data to your employer or accounting software

   
   

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem	Solution
인증서가 안 뜸	Reinstall HomeTax’s 보안프로그램 (security modules)
비밀번호 오류	Use the certificate reset option via issuing authority
외국인 인증서 발급 불가	Visit your bank with ARC and passport to get a 인증서
모바일 인증 실패	Use USB or cloud-based certificate import method

Language Support

• Limited English interface: https://www.nts.go.kr/eng

• Or call the NTS Foreign Taxpayer Service Center at ☎ 1588-0560 (press 7 for English)

If you need to issue any type of tax related certificates don't hesitate to use this service!