Songpa-gu issues roughly 140,000 first-installment vehicle tax bills — the most of any Seoul district; KakaoTalk payment reminders and electronic delivery available to help residents pay on time
Songpa-gu in Seoul has issued roughly 140,000 first-installment vehicle tax bills for 2026 and is urging residents to pay by July 3.
The district, led by District Mayor Seo Gang-seok, levied the first-installment vehicle tax on approximately 247,000 registered vehicles within its boundaries. The result — about 140,000 bills totaling 16.478 billion won (approximately $10,700,000) — is the largest volume of any district in Seoul.
The payment window runs from June 16 through July 3. Residents who miss the deadline will face a 3 percent late-payment surcharge, and continued non-payment can lead to vehicle seizure or license plate confiscation.
The tax applies to vehicle owners as of June 1. However, owners who newly registered, transferred ownership of, or scrapped a vehicle will be billed only for the portion of the period they actually held it. Vehicles for which the annual lump-sum payment has already been made are exempt from this round.
Vehicles owned by people with disabilities and those registered to veterans may qualify for a full or partial exemption under relevant laws.
The district is also running several services to make payment more convenient. Tax bills of 450,000 won or more (based on the principal tax) will be sent by registered mail, while residents who have signed up for electronic delivery can receive their bills by email or text message and pay immediately.
Starting three days before the payment deadline, the district will also operate a vehicle tax payment reminder service via KakaoTalk to help residents pay on time.
Signing up for electronic delivery or automatic payment earns a tax credit of 800 won per bill; enrolling in both brings the credit to 1,600 won per bill.
Payment can be made through Seoul's ETAX and STAX platforms, simple payment apps, dedicated account transfers, bank CD and ATM machines, and ARS phone services. Residents who have lost their bill or did not receive one due to an address change can obtain a reissue at their nearest community center or the district office's tax department.
"Failing to pay vehicle tax on time can result in penalties such as surcharges, so I urge all residents to pay within the payment period," District Mayor Seo said. "We will continue to operate a range of taxpayer-friendly measures so that residents can pay their taxes as conveniently as possible."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
