Even if you did not receive an application notice for the earned income tax credit, you can apply after the deadline by the 1st of next month, provided you meet income, asset, and other requirements. The application covers credits for 2025 income. However, those not included in the notification target cannot apply via the automated response service (ARS) and must use PC or mobile Hometax or apply by mail.

■ Notice Sent to 260,000 Households That Have Not Applied

The National Tax Service announced on the 2nd that it will notify 260,000 households that have not yet applied for the earned income and child tax credits for fiscal year 2025 about post-deadline applications. This includes 10,000 additional households whose eligibility was confirmed after analyzing income data obtained following the regular application notices.

■ How to Check Whether You Are a Notification Target

You can check whether you are a notification target through Hometax, ARS, or the tax credit call center.

• PC Hometax: 'Tax Credits, Year-End Settlement, Donations' → 'Earned Income and Child Tax Credits' → 'Tax Credit Notice Information'
• Mobile Hometax: Use 'Check Notification Target Status' in the same menu
• ARS: Select the earned income and child tax credit menu, then enter your resident registration number and individual certification number

If you did not receive a notice, first check whether you are a notification target. Even if you are not a notification target, you can apply via Hometax or by mail as long as you meet the application requirements.

■ Income and Asset Criteria

The income criterion for the earned income tax credit is based on the couple's combined annual gross income for 2025.

• Single-person household: less than 22 million won
• Single-earner household: less than 32 million won
• Dual-earner household: less than 44 million won

As for assets, the total combined assets of all household members must be less than 240 million won as of June 1, 2025. This includes real estate, passenger vehicles, jeonse (housing lease) deposits, bank deposits, and stocks, with debts not deducted. If total assets are 170 million won or more but less than 240 million won, a 50% reduction based on the asset criterion also applies.

■ Maximum Payment Amounts and Payment Timing

Under the system, the maximum earned income tax credit is 1.65 million won for single-person households, 2.85 million won for single-earner households, and 3.3 million won for dual-earner households. The actual calculated amount varies depending on household type and income, and a 5% reduction applies to post-deadline applications. The National Tax Service plans to review the income and assets of applying households and pay the credits on January 15 of next year.

■ Retirees and Daily Workers Also Need to Check Eligibility

Even if you received a notice and applied, you may be excluded from payment or receive a different amount than expected depending on the review results. Even if you are currently retired, you may be eligible if you had earned, business, or clergy income last year. Those who earned temporary income through part-time or daily work should also check the application requirements. However, simply having had income does not guarantee payment.

[This article was written with some assistance from AI. The information provided is for reference only, and this publication bears no legal or financial responsibility for the use of such information.]