Educational guide
How to Invoice in South Korea
What a Korean tax invoice (세금계산서) has to show, who must issue it electronically and by when, and the VAT rate for general taxpayers, quoted from the National Tax Service with dates.
This page is for general education only. Tax law, e-invoicing rules, and invoice mandates vary by sector, threshold, and updates from authorities. Confirm requirements with a qualified accountant, lawyer, or government guidance for your situation.
In South Korea, VAT is administered by the National Tax Service (NTS). The NTS's VAT overview (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) says "일반과세자는 10%의 세율이 적용되는 반면, 물건 등을 구입하면서 받은 매입세금계산서상의 세액을 전액 공제 받을 수 있고 세금계산서를 발급할 수 있습니다." (our translation: general taxpayers are taxed at a rate of 10 percent, while they can deduct in full the tax shown on the purchase tax invoices they receive, and they can issue tax invoices).
The NTS sets who must issue electronic tax invoices (전자세금계산서). The NTS's page on who must issue electronic tax invoices (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) says "법인사업자는 2011.1월부터, 개인사업자는 직전 연도 사업장별 재화 및 용역의 공급가액 규모에 따라 2012.1월부터 발급의무를 시행하고 있음" (our translation: the obligation has applied to corporate businesses since January 2011, and to individual businesses since January 2012, depending on the supply value of goods and services at each place of business in the previous year). Its latest step, from July 2024, is "직전연도 과세분과 면세분 공급가액의 합계액 8천만원 이상 개인사업자 발급의무화" (our translation: issuance made mandatory for individual businesses whose combined taxable and tax-exempt supply value in the previous year was 80 million won or more). The NTS's page on issue and transmission deadlines (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) sets the transmission deadline: "발급일의 다음날까지 국세청에 전송" (our translation: transmit to the NTS by the day after the date of issue). For your own business, check the NTS's guidance or ask a local tax accountant.
Worked example, with sample figures in Korean won (KRW): a general taxpayer bills a business client a supply value of 3,000,000원 for consulting, assuming the supply is taxed. Applying the 10 percent general rate quoted above, VAT is 3,000,000원 × 10% = 300,000원, and the total is 3,300,000원. The NTS consultation center's electronic tax invoice FAQ (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) lists "공급가액과 부가가치세액" (our translation: the supply value and the VAT amount) among the required items, so the invoice shows both figures: 3,000,000원 and 300,000원.
Billed's invoice software page says: "Save your tax rates and settings once, and Billed calculates taxes automatically when you create invoices and estimates." It also says you can "Invoice customers in multiple currencies, choosing a different currency for each invoice or customer."
Invoice checklist for South Korea
Each item has a note on what to include and when it applies.
Supplier's registration number and name
RequiredThe NTS consultation center's electronic tax invoice FAQ (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) lists, under "필요적 기재사항" (our translation: required items), "공급자 사업자등록번호, 상호 또는 성명" (our translation: the supplier's business registration number, and its trade name or name).
Recipient's registration number
RequiredThe same NTS list (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026): "공급받는 자 사업자등록번호" (our translation: the recipient's business registration number).
Date made out
RequiredThe same NTS list (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026): "작성연월일" (our translation: the date of writing).
Supply value and VAT
RequiredThe same NTS list (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026): "공급가액과 부가가치세액" (our translation: the supply value and the VAT amount).
Tax and regulatory themes in South Korea
VAT rate for general taxpayers
The NTS's VAT overview (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) says "일반과세자는 10%의 세율이 적용되는 반면, 물건 등을 구입하면서 받은 매입세금계산서상의 세액을 전액 공제 받을 수 있고 세금계산서를 발급할 수 있습니다." (our translation: general taxpayers are taxed at a rate of 10 percent, while they can deduct in full the tax shown on the purchase tax invoices they receive, and they can issue tax invoices).
Who must issue electronically
The NTS's page on who must issue electronic tax invoices (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) says "법인사업자는 2011.1월부터, 개인사업자는 직전 연도 사업장별 재화 및 용역의 공급가액 규모에 따라 2012.1월부터 발급의무를 시행하고 있음" (our translation: the obligation has applied to corporate businesses since January 2011, and to individual businesses since January 2012, depending on the supply value of goods and services at each place of business in the previous year). From July 2024: "직전연도 과세분과 면세분 공급가액의 합계액 8천만원 이상 개인사업자 발급의무화" (our translation: issuance made mandatory for individual businesses whose combined taxable and tax-exempt supply value in the previous year was 80 million won or more).
When to issue and transmit
The NTS's page on issue and transmission deadlines (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026): as a rule, "부가가치세법 제15조 ∼ 17조(공급시기)의 시기에 발급" (our translation: issue at the time of supply set by Articles 15 to 17 of the Value-Added Tax Act); as an exception, "월합계 (세금)계산서 등의 경우 공급시기가 속하는 달의 다음달 10일까지 발급" (our translation: for monthly-total tax invoices and similar, issue by the 10th of the month after the month of supply); and "발급일의 다음날까지 국세청에 전송" (our translation: transmit to the NTS by the day after the date of issue).
Payment methods in South Korea
Availability depends on banks, platforms, and contract terms.
- Bank transfer
- Card payment
Business and cultural tips for South Korea
- A text message or link alone doesn't count as issuing. The NTS's page on issue and transmission deadlines (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) says "파일 전송 없이 단순히 발급된 사실만을 알리는 SMS 통지나 링크를 통하여 확인할 수 있도록 하는 것은 아직 발급이 완료된 상태가 아님" (our translation: a text message that only announces the issue, or a link to view it, without sending the file, does not yet complete issuance).
- Issuance is complete when the signed file arrives. The NTS's page on issue and transmission deadlines (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) also says "전자서명을 하고 전자(세금)계산서 표준에 의해 생성된 파일이 거래상대방 수신함(이메일)에 도달한 때 발급 완료" (our translation: issuance is complete when a file that is electronically signed and generated under the electronic tax invoice standard reaches the other party's inbox, meaning email).
- The NTS runs its own issuing service. The NTS's page on how to issue electronic tax invoices (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) describes how to "국세청에서 무료로 운영하는 홈택스(www.hometax.go.kr) 및 스마트폰을 이용하여 모바일 홈택스에서 발급" (our translation: issue on Hometax, www.hometax.go.kr, which the NTS runs at no charge, or on mobile Hometax using a smartphone).
Questions about invoicing in South Korea
Invoicing guides for other countries
Prefer a product overview for this market? See Billed for South Korea.
Start Invoicing With Billed
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Topic | What the NTS says (South Korea, checked October 31, 2026) |
|---|---|
| VAT rate | "일반과세자는 10%의 세율이 적용되는 반면, 물건 등을 구입하면서 받은 매입세금계산서상의 세액을 전액 공제 받을 수 있고 세금계산서를 발급할 수 있습니다." (our translation: general taxpayers are taxed at a rate of 10 percent, while they can deduct in full the tax shown on the purchase tax invoices they receive, and they can issue tax invoices) |
| Who issues electronically | "직전연도 과세분과 면세분 공급가액의 합계액 8천만원 이상 개인사업자 발급의무화" (our translation: issuance made mandatory for individual businesses whose combined taxable and tax-exempt supply value in the previous year was 80 million won or more) (from July 2024) |
| Monthly totals | "월합계 (세금)계산서 등의 경우 공급시기가 속하는 달의 다음달 10일까지 발급" (our translation: for monthly-total tax invoices and similar, issue by the 10th of the month after the month of supply) |
| Transmission | "발급일의 다음날까지 국세청에 전송" (our translation: transmit to the NTS by the day after the date of issue) |
When this isn't for you
Written for general taxpayers in South Korea invoicing other businesses. Simplified taxpayers, tax-exempt supplies, cash receipts and amended tax invoices have their own NTS rules; check the NTS's guidance or ask a local tax accountant.