National Tax Service to pay first-half earned income credits to 1.3 million households

The National Tax Service said Tuesday it had sent application notices to 1.3 million households for the first-half 2026 earned income tax credit, with a deadline of Sept. 15.

All 1.3 million households earned only wage income in the first half of this year, down about 40,000 from a year earlier.

Applicants can submit requests through the "Apply" banner in the mobile notice, the QR code on the paper notice, or the automated response system.

Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, with payments scheduled for Dec. 17. The maximum benefit is 1.15 million won ($837).

Households with income sources beyond wages — such as business or religious income — must apply during the regular application period in May next year.

Applicants who give advance consent at the time of application will be automatically enrolled for the credit in future years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for the next two years.

Of the 1.3 million households eligible this cycle, 720,000 had already given advance consent and were automatically enrolled.

The National Tax Service warned the public to be alert to financial fraud impersonating the earned income credit application process, noting that it never requests fee payments, money transfers or account passwords.