If you are a business owner, you must file a value-added tax report even if you have no sales or purchases.It is easy to get confused as the number and timing of reporting varies depending on the type of business.
We have compiled the entire schedule and procedures for 2026, as well as the reporting deadline that you need to check right now (July).⏰ The most important schedule right now: 2026 1st term value-added tax **Final return deadline is Monday, July 27**.If you are reading this in July, check first whether you are eligible below.
What is value-added tax?
Value-added tax (VAT) is a tax levied on the added value generated during the production and distribution of goods or services.This is a structure in which the business collects the tax, which is already included when the consumer pays for the product, and reports and pays it to the government at regular intervals.
The reported tax amount is calculated by subtracting the input tax amount from the output tax amount.
Number of reports by business type
Corporate business: 4 times a year (2 scheduled returns + 2 final returns)General individual tax payer: Final return twice a year + payment of scheduled notice in the interim (no reporting obligation, only payment of the notified amount)Simplified taxpayer: Once a year (reported in January of the following year).However, if you have a history of issuing tax invoices in the first half of the year, you must report and pay in July.
View the entire reporting schedule for 2026 at a glance
corporate businessdivisiontarget periodReport/payment deadline1st scheduled reportJanuary to MarchApril 25th1st term final reportFor April-JuneJuly 25th (subject to adjustments due to public holidays, etc.)2nd scheduled reportFor July~SeptemberOctober 25th2nd term final reportFor October-DecemberJanuary 25th of the following yearIndividual general taxpayerdivisiontarget periodReport/payment deadlinePayment of scheduled noticeJanuary to MarchAround April (payment by invoice, no separate report)1st term final reportJanuary to JuneAround July 25thPayment of scheduled noticeFor July~SeptemberAround October (payment by invoice)2nd term final reportFor July-DecemberAround January 25th of the following yearSimplified taxpayerIn principle, the previous year’s performance is reported once a year, in January of the following year.However, if a tax invoice was issued in the first half of the year, reporting is required in July as well.
If the reporting deadline overlaps with a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day.In fact, the deadline for the first period of 2026 to file a final return was originally July 25th, but due to the day of the week, it was extended to Monday, July 27th.
How to report
Access Hometax (hometax.go.kr) → [Report/Payment] → Go to [Value-Added Tax] menuIf you are using an electronic tax invoice, sales and purchase data are often automatically linked, so you only need to check them.If you use the ‘Tax Secretary’ service provided by the National Tax Service, the report is automatically completed by answering yes/no questions, making it relatively easy even for novice business owners.
During the report preparation process, be sure to check the total tax invoices by vendor and purchaser against the actual number and amount of issued items.If it is difficult to report online, you can also report it in person at your local tax office.
Documents to prepare before reporting
Sales data: Electronic tax invoice issuance history, card terminal sales history, cash receipt issuance detailsPurchase data: tax invoice, card purchase details, cash receiptsOther proof: revised tax invoice issuance/receipt details, etc.
Do I have to report it even if I have no sales?
yes.Even if you are a ‘non-performance business’ with no sales or purchase performance during the period, you must file a non-performance report within the reporting period.
If you do not report at all, you may be subject to additional tax even if you have no performance.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you miss the reporting deadline, you may also be subject to the following additional taxes:Penalty tax for non-reporting: In case of failure to reportPenalty tax for late payment: If the tax amount is not paid by the deadlinePenalty tax related to electronic tax invoices: Failure to comply with the obligation to issue and transmit tax invoicesEven if you file a report after the deadline, additional taxes will apply, so it is most advantageous to figure out the schedule in advance and file it within the deadline.
Finishing Tips
If you first check your business type (corporation/general taxpayer/simplified taxpayer) on Hometax at the beginning of each year and mark your reporting schedule in advance on the calendar, you will reduce the risk of missing it.If you consistently issue electronic tax invoices, the data will be automatically linked when reporting, making it much easier.
If payment is not received due to delayed settlement or bankruptcy of the customer, you can receive a refund of part of the value-added tax already paid through bad debt tax deduction if certain requirements are met. We recommend that you check if there is a related reason.This article has been written for general information purposes.
The exact reporting deadline and procedure may vary depending on the type of business and individual circumstances, so please be sure to check with the National Tax Service (hometax.go.kr) or your local tax office before reporting.