Seocho-gu in Seoul is rolling out a range of taxpayer convenience services this month to help residents pay their property taxes on time, the district announced. The district mayor is Jeon Seong-su.
Property tax is a local tax levied annually on individuals who own housing, buildings, land, vessels or other property as of June 1. In July, half of the residential property tax along with taxes on buildings and vessels comes due; the remaining half of the residential tax and the land tax follow in September.
To make the process easier, the district will extend counter hours on the final day of the payment period, offering a late-evening tax administration service from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to assist working residents and others who cannot visit during regular daytime hours.
The district will also send KakaoTalk notifications to residents with outstanding balances as the deadline approaches, providing the amount owed and an electronic payment number to help taxpayers avoid late-payment surcharges.
In addition, the district plans to use its administrative phone hold music to broadcast reminders about the payment deadline, keeping residents informed in a low-key, ambient way.
Starting this year, Seocho-gu is introducing an optional registered mail service designed to reduce the inconvenience of missed deliveries. Under the new system, tax bills can be left in a resident's mailbox even after two failed delivery attempts, eliminating the need to collect mail at a post office. The service is aimed at easing the burden on busy workers and dual-income households and can be requested through the property tax division.
The district is also encouraging residents to sign up for e-billing and automatic bank transfer. Each option carries an 800-won tax credit, and enrolling in both provides a combined credit of 1,600 won. E-billing is particularly useful for residents abroad or on extended business trips, as it allows tax bills to be accessed by email from anywhere at any time. However, the timing of enrollment affects when the benefit takes effect — applications submitted in July will apply starting with the September property tax bill.
The deadline for this month's property tax payment is July 31; late payments will incur a delinquency surcharge. Tax bills have been going out in sequence since Friday, with e-billing subscribers receiving theirs by email and automatic-transfer subscribers receiving a notice by mail. Payment can be made at CD and ATM machines at financial institutions nationwide, through the Seoul Metropolitan Government's local tax internet payment system Etax, the smartphone app Stax, bank websites or by automated phone service.
"Property tax is not only a vital foundation for the district's fiscal operations — it is an investment in making Seocho a more dignified and livable place," district mayor Jeon said. "I ask residents to pay faithfully within the deadline. We will continue to expand taxpayer convenience services that people can genuinely feel, and build a tax administration that earns public trust."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
