How to apply for a discount on the 2026 automobile tax payment in January and its benefits

Are you ready to save on your car tax in 2026? Especially 2026 automobile tax payment due in Januaryis the biggest tax saving opportunity of the year. However, this year Annual discount rateThere is a lot of confusion about whether this is a 5% maintenance or a 3% reduction. In this article, 2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryThe application period and Automobile tax annual payment discount Calculation method, through with-tax and e-tax How to apply for annual automobile tax payment, we organize everything from refunds to precautions all at once.

If you read the content to the end, you will know what to prepare and where to press and how to do it in January., This year's discount rate fluctuation issueHow to respond to this, How to get a refund without loss even if you sell your vehicle midwayYou can know everything up to that point. 2026 automobile tax payment due in January과 Automobile tax annual payment discountTiming is everything. I'll guide you step by step so you don't miss a thing.

Key Points and Changes in the 2026 Automobile Tax Annual Payment in January

this year 2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryThe biggest topic of discussion is Is the discount rate 5% or 3%?According to recent guidance, some local government notices have maintained the 5% level, while others have reported a reduction to 3%. As the policy is finalized at the beginning of the year, WetaxAnd I recommend that you check the notices of each local government tax office. I do this every January. Smart WithtaxI can complete the application in just 5 minutes, and the actual discount amount is clear, so I use it every year.

• Application periodIt typically runs from mid-January to the end of the month. Recently, there have been many announcements that it will start on January 16th.
• Discount rateIt is announced based on the statutory deduction rate. There is a possibility of maintaining 5% or reducing 3%. Check this year's announcementThis is a must.
• Automatic notification Applicants must have paid their annual premiums in the previous year. New vehicle owners or those who have not previously paid their annual premiums must apply in person.

Automobile tax annual payment discountThe statutory deduction rate and the perceived discount rate differ. The deduction applies to the period from February onward, excluding January. For ease of understanding, a 5% deduction will result in a perceived discount of approximately 4.6%, and a 3% deduction will result in a perceived discount of approximately 2.7%.

Key Tips If you complete the payment immediately after the notification at the beginning of the year, it will be completed without waiting. Those who paid the previous year's installment payment will automatically receive a notice reflecting the discount.This often happens, so be sure to check your bill inbox and text message notifications.

Complete summary of application period and deadline schedule

When can I apply?

2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryIt usually starts around January 16th and closes on January 31st. Operating hours by region are Wetax It is essential to check the notice as there are differences such as 24-hour availability or operation from 7:00 to 23:00. On the day of the deadline, there is a surge in access and card payments are delayed.If possible, we recommend that you process it 2-3 days in advance.

Is it possible to apply for other quarters?

If you miss January, you can also apply in March, June, or September. Automobile tax annual payment discount The gap is narrowing. From a tax perspective, January is always the best month.

• Maximum deduction applied to annual tax amount applied in January
• Deduction applies only to the remaining period of application in March
• Applications made in June and September have a significantly reduced deduction effect.

If you only apply for installment payments but do not complete the payment, the benefits will be canceled. Application and payment processed on the same dayI recommend that you develop the habit of doing this.

Understanding the Calculation and Effect of Annual Discount Rates

Statutory deduction rate and perceived discount rate

Automobile tax annual payment discountThe legal deduction rate is determined first, and the actual reduction is only applied to the remaining period from February to December. So Annual discount rate 5%If you are guided like this, the feeling is about 4.6%., 3% reductionThe actual ramen volume will be approximately 2.7%. This is because the calculation excludes the portion from January, which has already passed.

Savings by Example

This is an example based on a vehicle with an annual tax of 500,000 won. Annual discount rateFor the 5%, you can expect a savings of approximately 22,000 to 25,000 won, and for the 3%, you can expect a savings of approximately 13,000 won. The larger the engine displacement, the greater the absolute savings.

The above figures may vary slightly depending on each local government's application method and calculation of the number of days. The important thing is Applying in January gives you the biggest benefitThat is the point. 2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryHere's why you shouldn't miss it.

Application process completed in 5 minutes with WeTax and eTax

Using WeTax on PC

Wetax After accessing the website, log in using simple authentication or a joint authentication certificate. Select "Automobile Tax Annual Payment" from the menu to check your vehicle information and inquire about the payment amount. Then, complete the payment process by credit card or bank transfer. How to apply for annual automobile tax paymentThe screen guidance is intuitive, so even beginners can handle it easily.

• log in Simple authentication or joint authentication
• Application for installment payment Check vehicle number and owner information
• Select payment method Credit card account transfer easy payment virtual account
• Payment completed Save receipt and check text

Using Smart Withtax on mobile

After installing the app, log in and go to the automobile tax payment menu. Once the bill is generated, Payment completed immediatelyPayments are possible, and interest-free installment plans are also available for some cards. It actually took about five minutes for me to process the payment through the app, and I saved the receipt as a PDF and attached it to my ledger.

Seoul residents can use e-tax

Seoul is eTaxSame in How to apply for annual automobile tax payment, and the payment method and processing flow are similar. Seoul uses e-taxIf you keep this in mind, there will be less confusion.

Pre-Application Inspection Vehicle owner information, whether there are any outstanding payments, and plans to move in the second half of the year., Whether to register a refund accountIf you check in advance, the process after payment will be much easier.

Comparison of benefits and precautions by payment method

Credit card payment

Credit card Interest-free installmentIt is often provided, which is beneficial for cash flow management. However, some card companies may exclude points from accrual or apply fees for tax items. Check the card company's noticeThis is required. Automobile tax annual payment discountIt would be best if you could enjoy the benefits of both cards at the same time.

Account transfer and virtual account

Bank transfers are convenient and have virtually no transaction fees. Setting up automatic transfers can help reduce last-minute forgetting. Virtual accounts can take time to confirm deposits, so it's best to avoid making deposits on the last day.

Easy payment and others

Simple payment authentication is simple, but support varies in some areas. Wetax와 eTaxCheck if payment methods are supported in your region.

• credit card Liquidity management and interest-free options available
• account transfer Easy and low fees
• virtual account Please note that there may be a delay in deposit.

After payment, be sure to save the receipt., Check that your refund account information is up to datePlease do this. This process Annual refund It saves a lot of time.

Practical Guide for Each Situation: Buying a New Car, Moving, Lease, Corporate Car

If you purchased a new vehicle

Since there is no record of payment in the previous year, 2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryYou must apply for it. Once the ownership is confirmed immediately after registration, WetaxPlease check if the vehicle information is reflected and proceed.

Previous year's annual payment payer

Many local governments Automatic notificationWe will send you a notice reflecting the discount amount. Simply pay the bill as is. If there has been a change in address or name, please be sure to check to see if you have received the notice.

If the local government under jurisdiction changes due to a move

Tax jurisdiction may change during the transfer process., Wetax Please check the taxation information on My Page and, if necessary, request confirmation from the tax office in charge.

Lease rental corporate car

Depending on the structure of the lease or long-term rental contract, the company may be the taxpayer. The contract identifies the taxpayer, and if the company is responsible for paying the tax, annual payments will be processed according to company regulations.

Eco-friendly cars or special vehicles

Eco-friendly vehicles may have different tax systems or separate exemptions. Automobile tax annual payment discount Although the principle itself is the same, the annual tax amount may be different, so it is best to check the notice for accuracy.

How to get a refund when deregistering a vehicle before selling it after paying the annual fee

Refund principle

Annual refundIt is a structure in which the tax for the remaining period is calculated and refunded. Refund without loss even if sold in the middleThis reduces the need to hesitate about making a January payment. The refund amount is calculated based on the registration date prior to the cancellation of the sale.

Refund Procedure

WetaxYour local government will send you a refund notification. If you have registered a refund account, the money will be deposited into your designated account. If you have already registered an account, some places will automatically issue a refund without a separate request. The progress status is: Wetax You can check it in the refund inquiry menu.

• Vehicle transfer registration completed After that, the local government calculates the refund.
• Register a refund account Convenient pre-registration at WeTax
• Deposit confirmation Receive text messages or notifications

Refund processing times vary by local government, typically taking anywhere from a few days to two weeks. If your request is urgent, please contact the tax office directly to check the status.

Commonly Missed Pitfalls and Checklists

2026 automobile tax payment due in JanuaryTo ensure a smooth completion, pre-screening is crucial. Use the checklist below to ensure thorough preparation.

• Confirm personal information Check that your resident registration and contact information are up to date.
• Check vehicle information Whether the vehicle number, owner name, and taxable location match
• Check payment method Whether or not interest-free card limit is provided Point accumulation policy
• Register a refund account Prepare for automatic refunds before future sales
• Payment of surplus before the deadline Before January 31st Pay 2-3 days early
• Keeping the bill Save electronic receipt PDF for accounting purposes

The most common mistake in practice is to apply but then delay payment. If payment is not made after applying for installment payment, the benefit will be cancelled.If possible, we recommend that you process your application and payment on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

I'm confused about whether the annual automobile tax discount rate for 2026 is 5% or 3%. How can I check?

Annual discount rateThe deduction rate is determined by local government notices and WeTax guidance. The most accurate method of determining the deduction rate is based on the deduction rate displayed on the automobile tax annual payment screen of WeTax or eTax after the announcement at the beginning of the year. This year, there was a mix of guidance on maintaining the 5% and reducing the 3%., Confirm final noticeThis is a must.

I paid my annual premium last year. Will it be automatically applied this year?

Most local governments will pay the previous year's annual payment. Automatic notificationWe will send you a notice. The discount amount will be reflected on your bill, so you only need to pay without a separate application. However, if there is a change in address, name, or vehicle, you will need to confirm this yourself.

If I miss January, which month is better: March, June, or September?

January is always the most advantageous month. The deduction period gets shorter as you move into March, June, and September. Automobile tax annual payment discount The effect decreases. March is moderate, and June and September are significantly reduced.

If I pay with a credit card, will there be a fee or points may not be accumulated?

Depending on your card company's policies, taxes may be excluded from point accrual or may incur some fees. However, interest-free installment plans are often offered, which can be beneficial for liquidity management. Be sure to check your card company's tax payment policy in advance.

Is there a loss if I sell the car after paying the premium? How do I get a refund?

The tax amount for the remaining period until the point of cancellation of the intermediate sale after the annual payment is calculated on a pro rata basis. Annual refundIt will work. Refund without lossTherefore, even if you pay in installments in January, the burden of pre-sale is not significant. Registering a refund account with WeTax is convenient.

2026 Automobile Tax Payments in January: A Quick Summary

first 2026 automobile tax payment due in Januaryis the biggest Automobile tax annual payment discountIt is the timing to receive it, Discount rate announcements are finalized through WeTax and local government announcements.I hope you do.

Second How to apply for annual automobile tax paymentIt only takes 5 minutes to complete the application process on the WeTax eTax Smart WeTax app. To maintain your benefits, you must complete payment immediately upon application.

Third, even if there are changes such as moving before sale, the remaining period is Annual refundSo it becomes There is no great concern about intermediate losses.. Don't forget to register your refund account.

It is a tax that is repeated every year, 2026 automobile tax payment due in Januaryis a surefire tax-saving habit that will improve your cash flow. Check it off your calendar today, Wetax나 eTaxPlease check it out right here. Automobile tax annual payment discountGives you profits all year round with just a few clicks.

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