United Arab Emirates vs South Korea
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
π° Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country β side by side.
π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates β Emirate-Level Fees & Free Zone Benefits
The UAE has no federal income tax on individuals. Emirates impose municipality fees (~5%) on commercial rents and tourism/hotel fees of 10β15%. Free Zones (DIFC, ADGM, Jebel Ali) offer 0β9% corporate rates for qualifying activities. Real estate transfer fees of 4% apply in Dubai. Emiratisation targets are increasing employer costs.
π°π· South Korea β Local Income Tax & Resident Tax
South Korea's 17 metropolitan/provincial governments levy local income tax at 10% of national income tax. Property holding tax (Jongbu-se) is a national progressive tax on higher-value properties. Local education taxes and acquisition taxes apply to property transfers. Seoul has higher effective rates due to property values.
United Arab Emirates vs South Korea: Key Tax Differences (2026)
π° Income Tax: π°π· South Korea has a higher top income tax rate (0% vs 6β45%). π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates is more favourable for high earners.
π VAT/Sales Tax: South Korea has a higher consumption tax (5% vs 10%).
π’ Corporate Tax: π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates offers a lower corporate rate (9% vs 24%), which can influence business location decisions.
π Capital Gains: π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates taxes investment gains at a lower rate (0% vs 45%), benefiting investors.