As the regular application period for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) comes to a close, applicants are keenly focused on whether they will be approved and when payments will be made. Based on the submitted applications, the National Tax Service plans to strictly review income and asset requirements before finalizing eligibility and payment amounts.

How Does the Screening Process Work?

Completion of an application does not mean payment is immediately confirmed. The National Tax Service conducts a comprehensive review of the applicant's income, assets, and household composition, and the actual amount received may vary depending on the results. In particular, if there are changes in income data, family relationships, or asset status after applying, additional verification may occur during the screening stage, which could lead to a discrepancy between the initially expected amount and the actual payment.

Where Can I Check My Status?

The National Tax Service guides applicants to check their application details and screening progress through Hometax and Sontax. After identity verification, applicants can confirm their reception status and processing progress in the tax credit menu.

Payment Criteria by Household Type

For the EITC, income thresholds and payment limits are applied differently depending on whether the household is a single-person, single-earner, or dual-earner household, and property requirements must also be met. For reference, according to National Tax Service data, the first-half EITC for the year 2025 was paid out to approximately 532,000 households, totaling 611.4 billion won.

Late Applications Are Possible, But...

Those who missed the regular application period can utilize the late application system. However, the payment amount may be partially reduced compared to regular applications, so it is essential to verify the eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Caution Against False and Duplicate Reports

During the screening process, the National Tax Service also checks for false and duplicate applications. If the application details differ from the actual records, payments may be restricted, or a recovery measure may be taken.

The EITC is a representative welfare program that supports the livelihood stability of low-income households with earned income. As millions of households apply every year, interest in the outcome of these payments is expected to continue.

[This article was written with the assistance of AI. Whether the EITC is paid and the payment amount are subject to the National Tax Service's screening results. For more details, please check Hometax or National Tax Service announcements.]