2026-09-15 · YN 상세페이지

Complete Guide to Maximizing Year-End Tax Refunds — From Procedures to Points of Caution

Are you looking to learn how to maximize your year-end tax refund? While tax terms can be tricky, the principles are straightforward. We will guide you step-by-step from the basics to the practical procedures.

vo 바로가기 →vo 바로가기 →vo 바로가기 →

The tax system is structured such that "not knowing means paying more."

Why It’s Important to Maximize Year-End Tax Refunds

The tax system is structured such that "not knowing means paying more." Even with the same income, the refund amount can differ by hundreds of thousands of won depending on the deductions claimed. Missing the filing deadline can incur additional taxes, so simply knowing the system equates to money.

Basic Knowledge to Know Before Starting

If you have income, you are obligated to file taxes. Employees do this through year-end tax settlements, while freelancers and business owners do it through comprehensive income tax in May. The key difference is between income deductions (which reduce taxable income) and tax credits (which directly reduce calculated tax). Tax credits generally have a more significant impact. Most data is automatically collected through the simplified service on HomeTax, but there are items that may be missed, so you need to gather them yourself.

Download Simplified Data First

You can check medical expenses, education expenses, donations, and insurance premiums all at once through the year-end tax settlement simplification on HomeTax. However, certain items like glasses, school uniforms, and some medical expenses may not be automatically collected, so you need to keep receipts separately.

Check Frequently Overlooked Deductions

Check for monthly rent tax credits (if requirements are met), pension savings and IRP tax credits, income tax reductions for employees in small businesses, and dependent family deductions (confirm income requirements). These four can significantly affect the refund amount.

Prepare Evidence and File

You can file directly on HomeTax or print it for company submission. Freelancers can keep evidence of expenses (business-related expenditures) organized to lower their taxable income.

ExpressVPN 바로가기 →탑툰 바로가기 →GoldMining 바로가기 →

Adhere to Deadlines and Verify Afterwards

Late filing incurs additional taxes. After filing, check the expected refund date and amount, and if there are any missed deductions, you can recover them through a correction claim for up to five years.

How Much Will It Cost?

Tax rates apply progressively based on the taxable income ranges. This means that by increasing deductions and lowering taxable income into a lower range, you achieve greater tax savings. Pension savings and IRP allow for tax credits on contributions, making them popular tax-saving tools, but be cautious of disadvantages when withdrawing early, so use surplus funds. The exact limits and rates change annually, so check the latest guidance on HomeTax.

Common Traps to Watch Out For

The most common mistakes are ① overlooking items not captured in simplification (like glasses, school uniforms, and some donations), ② failing to verify the income requirements for dependent family deductions and later facing tax reassessment, ③ freelancers not gathering expense evidence resulting in excessive taxes, and ④ incurring additional taxes by missing deadlines.

Habits for Long-Term Gains

Don’t wait until once a year to handle everything; regularly organize receipts and expenses on a monthly basis. Freelancers and business owners will find it much easier to file if they separate business accounts and cards from personal ones. Additionally, you can reclaim missed deductions from the past five years through a correction claim. ※ This article is intended to provide general information, and systems, figures, and rates may change. Always verify actual application criteria with the official guidance of the relevant institution or consult a professional.

Income Deduction vs Tax Credit

Category	Target for Reduction	Examples
Income Deduction	Taxable Income	Personal Deduction, Credit Card Usage
Tax Credit	Calculated Tax	Pension Savings, Medical Expenses, Monthly Rent
Effect	More favorable for high-income earners with income deductions	Tax credits are fixed regardless of income
Verification Source	HomeTax Simplification	HomeTax Simulation

항목별 관심도

가독성88

모바일 최적화82

전환율 기여75

제작 속도95

💡 TIP

The saying "preparing in December is too late" holds true for year-end tax settlements. Contributions to pension savings and IRP, donations, and monthly rent contracts must be executed within the year to be reflected. Check expected tax amounts with HomeTax preview in November and adjust in the remaining two months.

✅ 체크리스트

Downloaded all simplified data
Gathered overlooked items like glasses and school uniforms
Verified income requirements for dependent family members
Maximized limits for pension savings and IRP
Filed within the deadline

📌 핵심 요약

The key to maximizing your year-end tax refund is ① understanding basic concepts → ② verifying your situation → ③ making decisions after comparisons → ④ conducting regular checks. The most common mistakes are ① overlooking items not captured in simplification (like glasses, school uniforms, and some donations), ② failing to verify the income requirements for dependent family deductions and facing reassessment later, ③ freelancers not gathering expense evidence resulting in excessive taxes, and ④ missing deadlines and incurring additional taxes. Just adhering to the above checklist can help you avoid most losses.

추천 캠페인 →추천 캠페인 →

FAQ

What is the item with the largest refund in year-end tax settlements?

It varies by individual situation, but tax credits for pension savings, IRP, medical expenses, and monthly rent tend to have noticeable impacts. Check your criteria with HomeTax preview.

Can I recover missed deductions now?

You can reclaim missed deductions through a correction claim within five years. This can be applied for on HomeTax.

Do freelancers also participate in year-end tax settlements?

No. Freelancers settle accounts through comprehensive income tax filing in May. The 3.3% withholding tax is settled at that time and may also be refunded.