South Korean Crypto Tax Is Being Considered Delayed Until 2028

Key Points:

• The South Korean government is considering delaying the cryptocurrency capital gains tax from January 2025 to January 2028, with a final decision expected later this month.
• The South Korean crypto tax, originally set for October 2021, has already been postponed twice due to concerns about investor burdens and market confusion.
• Critics argue that further delays are impractical given the long preparation period, while others fear that political considerations could lead to indefinite postponements.

According to Hankyung News, the South Korean government and ruling party are considering delaying the implementation of cryptocurrency capital gains tax from January 2025 to January 2028.

South Korea Crypto Tax Is Being Considered Delay for the 3rd Time

The Ministry of Finance has not finalized this decision and will release next year’s tax law amendments later this month. Initially scheduled to begin in October 2021, the South Korean crypto tax implementation has been postponed twice: first to January 2023 and then to January 2025. Each delay was attributed to concerns about investor burdens and market confusion.

If the current proposal is approved, the tax will be delayed by over six years in total, sparking criticism that South Korean crypto tax policy is being excessively swayed by public opinion. Recent data from the Financial Services Commission shows there are 6.45 million domestic cryptocurrency investors, with individuals in their 30s and 40s making up over half of this number, indicating their significant influence on public sentiment.

Political Influence and Market Concerns Drive Tax Policy Debates

Dissatisfaction with the South Korean crypto tax has grown amid falling prices of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The financial investment income tax, scheduled for early next year, has also faced delays. Critics argue that the lack of system and institutional readiness makes full-scale taxation impractical. However, some officials counter that the government has had ample time to prepare, suggesting that further delays indicate negligence.

Concerns also arise over the potential for indefinite postponement influenced by public opinion and market conditions. With the general election in April 2028, another delay seems likely if the taxation is pushed to that year. Many argue that implementing the tax early next year, ahead of the next major election, would be prudent.

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