As the regular application period for the 2025 Earned Income and Child Tax Credits has closed, attention among eligible recipients is now focused on whether they will receive payments and when.

According to the National Tax Service, this year's regular application for the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits ran from May 1 to June 1. Approximately 3.24 million households with earned, business, or clergy income were eligible to apply, and reviews of the submitted applications are currently underway.

■ Earned Income Tax Credit Payment Amounts and Eligibility Requirements The Earned Income Tax Credit is a system designed to support the livelihood stability of low-income workers and self-employed individuals. The maximum payment limits by household type are as follows:

• Single-person household: Up to 1.65 million won
• Single-earner household: Up to 2.85 million won
• Dual-earner household: Up to 3.3 million won

The income criteria are based on the combined annual income of both spouses: less than 22 million won for single-person households, less than 32 million won for single-earner households, and less than 44 million won for dual-earner households.

The asset requirement stipulates that total household assets must be less than 240 million won, with liabilities not deducted. If assets amount to 170 million won or more, only half of the calculated credit will be paid.

■ Child Tax Credit Requirements The Child Tax Credit is available to households with dependent children under the age of 18. Households meeting the requirement of a combined spousal income of less than 70 million won can receive support ranging from a minimum of 500,000 won to a maximum of 1 million won per child.

■ 5% Reduction for Late Applications Those who missed the regular application period can still apply late. However, they will only receive 95% of the calculated payment amount, effectively resulting in a 5% reduction. As a result, most eligible applicants prefer to submit their applications within the regular period to avoid a reduction in their payment.

■ Payment Scheduled for August 27... Recipients to Be Confirmed After Review The National Tax Service plans to verify income, asset requirements, and other criteria based on the application details before finalizing the list of payment recipients. Payments are scheduled to be made on August 27, ahead of the legal deadline at the end of September.

■ AI Chatbot Counseling Pilot Operation Starting this year, a generative AI-based chatbot counseling service has been piloted, allowing non-face-to-face inquiries regarding the tax credits. Hometax users can check key information such as application eligibility, payment schedules, and application methods through the chatbot.

■ Warning Against Voice Phishing The National Tax Service urged the public to remain cautious of text messages and voice phishing scams impersonating tax credit notifications. It emphasized that the agency never requests fee payments or asks for bank account passwords during the application or payment process.

[Written with AI assistance. This article is a reference guide for informational purposes regarding the system, and actual eligibility and payment amounts may vary depending on individual income, assets, and household composition. For accurate information, please consult the National Tax Service's Hometax or your local tax office. Please exercise extra caution against financial fraud, including text messages, phone calls, or requests to access internet links disguised as Earned Income and Child Tax Credit communications.]