THE ACT FOR THE COORDINATION OF INTERNATIONAL TAX AFFAIRS Act No. 4981, Dec. 6, 1995 Amended by Act No. 5193, Dec. 30, 1996 Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998 Act No. 5584, Dec. 28, 1998 Act No. 6299, Dec. 29, 2000 Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000 Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002 Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006 Act No. 8139, Dec. 30, 2006 Act No. 8387, Apr. 27, 2007 Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008 Act No. 8860, Feb. 29, 2008 Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008

The purpose of this Act is to prevent double taxation and tax evasion among the states, and to promote a smooth cooperation in tax administration by establishing rules relating to the coordination of taxation on international trades and the cooperation in tax administration among the states.Article 2 (Definitions)(1) The definition of terms used in this Act shall be as follows: <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008; Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>1. The term “international trade” means a trade for which either or both parties are nonresidents or foreign corporations, including the trading or leasing tangible or intangible assets, providing services, lending or borrowing money, and all other trades related to profit or loss and assets of the parties involved;2. The term “tax treaty” means any type of international agreements subject to international laws, such as treaty, convention, pact, note, etc. with respect to the taxes on income, capital and property or the cooperation in tax administration, which the Republic of Korea has concluded with another state;3. The term “Contracting State” means a state which has concluded a tax treaty with the Republic of Korea;4. The term “competent authority” means the Minister of Strategy and Finance or the person to whom the said Minister’s authority is delegated in the case of the Republic of Korea, and the person who is designated as a competent authority in the tax treaty in the case of the other Contracting State;5. The term “mutual agreement procedures” means the procedures through which matters relating to interpretation of a tax treaty, unreasonable taxation or adjustment of taxable income are resolved by consultation between the competent authority of the Republic of Korea and that of the Contracting State;6. The term “domestic business place” means a nonresident’s domestic business place as provided in Article 120 of the Income Tax Act or a foreign corporation’s domestic business place as provided in Article 94 of the Corporation Tax Act;7. The term “tax authorities” means the heads of tax offices having jurisdiction over the tax payment places or the Directors of the competent Regional Tax Offices;8. The term “special relationship” means a relationship falling under any of the following items, and the detailed criteria thereon shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree:(a) A relationship in which either party to a transaction owns directly or indirectly 50 percent or more of the voting shares of the other party;(b) A relationship between both trade parties, in cases where a third party owns directly or indirectly 50 percent or more of their respective voting shares;(c) A relationship in which parties to a transaction have common interests through an investment in capital, a transaction of goods or service, a grant of loan, etc. and either party has a power in fact to make a decision on the business policy of the other party; and(d) A relationship between both parties to a transaction, in cases where the parties to the transaction have common interests through an investment in capital, a transaction of goods or service, a grant of loan, etc. and a third party has a power in fact to make a decision on the business policies of the both parties;9. The term “foreign related party” means a nonresident, foreign corporation or his or its foreign place of business, which has a special relationship with a resident, domestic corporation or domestic place of business;10. The term “arm’s length price” means a price which is applied or deemed to be applied in the ordinary trade of a resident, domestic corporation or domestic place of business with other persons than a foreign related party;11. The term “foreign controlling shareholder” means a person who substantially controls a domestic corporation or a domestic place of business of a foreign corporation and falls under any of the following items, and the detailed standards therefor shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree:(a) In cases of a domestic corporation, a foreign shareholder or investor (hereinafter referred to as a “foreign shareholder”) or a foreign corporation financed by such foreign shareholder; and(b) In cases of a domestic place of business of a foreign corporation, the head office or branch office of the foreign corporation, a foreign shareholder of the foreign corporation, or a foreign corporation financed by the foreign corporation or the foreign shareholder; and12. The term “limited tax rate” means the maximum tax rate at which a resident or a corporation of a Contracting State may be taxed under the tax treaty.(2) Unless as otherwise provided for in this Act, other terms than those provided for in paragraph (1) shall be governed by the examples of terms under Article 2 (1) of the Special Tax Treatment Control Act and those pursuant to the Acts as listed in Article 3 (1) 1 through 12, 18 and 19 of the same Act. <Amended by Act No. 5584, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6299, Dec. 29, 2000>

(1) In an international trade, tax treaties shall apply to the person to whom a certain income, earning, asset, act or transaction is actually imputed, in cases where the nominal taxpayer in the transaction is not the person to whom the income, earning, asset, act or transaction is actually imputed.(2) In an international trade, tax treaties shall apply to the calculation of tax base according to the actual substance of the transaction, notwithstanding the name or form of a certain income, earning, asset, act, or transaction.(3) In an international trade, tax treaties and this Act shall, when it is deemed that the parties attempt to benefit wrongfully from the tax treaties and this Act by applying an indirect method through a third party or in a way of going through two or more acts or transactions, apply according to the economic substance of the transaction, assuming that such transaction has actually been made between the relevant parties or such acts or transactions are a single continuous act or transaction in fact.[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006]

(1) This Act shall take precedence over other Acts providing for the national taxes and local taxes.(2) With regard to international trades, the provisions of Article 41 of the Income Tax Act and Article 52 of the Corporation Tax Act shall not apply: Provided, That the same shall not apply to the gift, etc. of assets prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>

(1) Any tax authorities may, where the relevant price in an international trade (excluding the trade the income of which originates from a domestic source as provided for in Article 119 of the Income Tax Act or Article 93 of the Corporation Tax Act when a party to the trade is a domestic place of business; hereafter the same shall apply in this Chapter), in which either party to the trade is a foreign related party, falls short or in excess of the arm’s length price, determine or rectify the tax base and tax amount of the resident (including a domestic corporation and a domestic place of business; hereafter the same shall apply in this Chapter) on the basis of the arm’s length price. <Amended by Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply where a taxpayer shows obviously the fact that he is not in the special relationship as set forth in Article 2 (1) 8 (c) and (d). <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>

(1) The arm’s length price shall be calculated by the most reasonable method among those falling under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That the method under subparagraph 4 shall be limited to the case where the arm’s length price may not be computed by the methods under subparagraphs 1 through 3:1. Method with a comparable third party’s price:A method to regard a trade price between the independent unrelated parties in a trade situation similar to the relevant trade, as the arm’s length price in the international trade between a resident and a foreign related party;2. Method with a resale price:Where a resident and a foreign related party trades the asset, and then the purchaser of relevant asset, who is one party to such trade, resells it to the unrelated parties, a method to regard the amount computed by deducting the amount viewable as normal profits of the purchaser from such a resale price, as the arm’s length price;3. Cost plus method:A method to regard the price computed by adding the amount viewable as normal profits of the seller of asset or the service provider to the cost incurred in the course of production or sale of the assets or provision of service, as the arm’s length price in the international trade between a resident and a foreign related party; and4. Other methods deemed to be reasonable, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.(2) Definite matters as to the arm’s length price computation method under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(1) A resident may, where he intends to apply the arm’s length price computation method to the taxable years for a specific period, file an application for approval with the Commissioner of the National Tax Service not later than the end of the first taxable year for a specific period in which he intends to apply the arm’s length price computation method, under conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree.(2) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, where a resident applies for approval for the arm’s length price computation method under paragraph (1), grant approval for such method, if agreed with the competent authority of the Contracting State through mutual agreement procedures as prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That in such cases as are prescribed by Presidential Decree, he may grant prior approval (hereafter referred to as “unilateral prior approval” in this Article) for the arm’s length price computation method without going through the mutual agreement procedures. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(3) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, when a resident files an application for the retroactive application of the arm’s length price computation method to the taxable year before the period subject to the application for approval, grant approval for such retroactive application, unless the period for exclusion from the assessment of national taxes under Article 26-2 of the Basic Act for National Taxes has expired: Provided, That such approval for the retroactive application may also be given in cases where a unilateral prior approval has been given, unless the time period under Article 45-2 (1) of the Basic Act for National Taxes has expired. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(4) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service and a resident shall, where the arm’s length price computation method is approved pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3), comply with the method approved: Provided, That the same shall not apply to cases prescribed by Presidential Decree.(5) Where the arm’s length price computation method is approved pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3), a resident shall submit a report containing the arm’s length price computed according to it, procedures of computation, etc. to the Commissioner of the National Tax Service as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000]

(1) In cases where a resident makes an agreement with a foreign related party on the allotment of cost, expenses, risks (hereafter referred to as “cost or similar” in this Article) for the joint development or securing of an intangible asset (hereafter referred to as “joint development” in this Article) and carries on such joint development, the tax authorities may adjust the cost or similar allotted to the resident based on the allotted arm’s length cost to determine or rectify the taxable base and tax amount of the resident, if the cost or similar allotted to the resident does not reach or exceed the allotted amount of the arm’s length cost.(2) In cases where a resident determined shares of participants after reasonably allotting the cost for an intangible asset jointly developed with a foreign related party, but the benefits expected from the jointly developed intangible asset (hereafter referred to as “expected benefits” in this Article) are subsequently changed at a rate equivalent to or more than that specified by Presidential Decree, the tax authorities may determine or rectify the tax base and tax amount of the resident by adjusting the shares of the participants based on the expected benefits as changed.(3) In applying the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2), the scope of the intangible assets, the determination of the allotted arm’s length cost and the expected benefits, the calculation of the changed shares of participants, and other necessary matters shall be further prescribed by Presidential Decree.[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006]

Even if a resident engages in an international trade with other party than a foreign related party, Articles 4, 5 and 6-2 shall be applied by deeming that such international trade is made with the foreign related party, in cases where the trade meets the requisites under the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>1. The resident and the foreign related party shall conclude a prior contract (including where a substantial agreement is deemed to be reached in advance through evidence related to trade; hereinafter the same shall apply) for the relevant trade; and2. The resident and the foreign related party shall substantially determine the terms of trades.

(1) Even in cases where the price of an international transaction is different from the arm’s length price, the tax authorities shall, if the resident made an agreement with the same foreign related party in advance to set off the difference through another international transaction during the same taxable year and the resident proves the details and facts of such transaction, apply Articles 4 and 5, treating all international transactions set off in such a manner as a single international transaction. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) In relation to the setoff transactions proved in accordance with paragraph (1), if any of such transactions becomes subject to the taxes withheld under the provisons of Articles 98 through 98-3 of the Corporation Tax Act and Articles 156 and 156-2 of the Income Tax Act, the provisions relevant to the withholding of taxes shall apply to such transaction, assuming that there is no setoff transaction. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956,May 24, 2006>

(1) In the application of the provisions of Article 4 or 6-2, where it is not verified by the evidence that the amount to be included in gains was returned by the foreign related party to a domestic corporation as prescribed by Presidential Decree, the said amount shall be disposed of as a dividend to the foreign related party or an outflow of income, or adjusted as an investment in its capital, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 67 of the Corporation Tax Act. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) In relation to the application of paragraph (1), the method of disposition of incomes and other necessary matters shall be further prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>

(1) In cases where a Contracting State adjusts a trade price between a resident and a foreign related party by the arm’s length price and the mutual agreement procedures thereon have been completed, the tax authorities may adjust and calculate the income amount and final tax amount of the resident for each taxable year pursuant to the relevant agreement.(2) Matters necessary for the application and methods, etc. for adjustment of the income amount or final tax amount under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(1) A taxpayer engaged in international trades with a foreign related party shall submit, to the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place, a specification of such international trades as provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance within the time limit for filing a tax return under Articles 70 through 74 of the Income Tax Act or Article 60 (1) of the Corporation Tax Act: Provided, That where the taxpayer is unable to submit a specification of international trades within the time limit for filing the tax return due to such inevitable causes as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and where the taxpayer applies therefor, the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place may grant approval for an extension of the time limit for such a submission within the limit of one year. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>(2) The tax authorities may, under conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree, request the taxpayer to submit the related data, such as the computing method of trade prices, etc. that are necessary for applying the provisions of Articles 4, 5, and 6-2. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(3) Any person in receipt of a request for data submission under paragraph (2) shall submit the relevant data within 60 days from the date of receiving the request for data submission: Provided, That where an application for an extension of deadline for submission is filed due to a justifiable ground as provided by Presidential Decree, the tax authorities may extend just for once up to 60 days.(4) Where any person in receipt of a request for data submission under paragraph (2) fails to submit the data by the due date without any justifiable grounds as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and submits the data at the time of applying for appeal or of the mutual agreement procedures, the tax authorities and related agencies may decide not to use the relevant data as those for taxation.

(1) Where any person in receipt of a request for data submission under Article 11 (2) fails to submit the data by the due date without any justifiable grounds as prescribed by Presidential Decree or submits the false data, he shall be punished by a fine for negligence not exceeding 30 million won.(2) The tax authorities shall impose and collect the fine for negligence under paragraph (1) under conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree.(3) Any person dissatisfied with the disposition of the fine for negligence under paragraph (2) may file an objection with the tax authorities within 30 days from the date of receiving the notice of such disposition.(4) Where any person subjected to the disposition of the fine for negligence under paragraph (2) files an objection under paragraph (3), the tax authorities shall, without delay, notify the competent court, which in turn shall proceed to a trial on the fine for negligence pursuant to the Non-Contentious Case Litigation Procedure Act.(5) If neither is an objection raised nor is a fine for negligence paid within the time frame as prescribed in paragraph (3), it shall be collected by referring to the practices of dispositions on default of national taxes.

(1) When applying Articles 4 through 6, 6-2, and 7 through 9, tax authorities shall not impose additional tax for under-declaration provided for in Article 47-3 of the Basic Act for National Taxes in cases where it falls under any of the following subparagraphs:1. Where it is confirmed as a result of mutual agreement procedures that the taxpayer has not made a mistake with regard to the difference between trade price reported and arm’s length price (referring to cases where the Commissioner of the National Tax Service judges that the taxpayer has not made a mistake if the arm’s length price computation method has been approved without mutual agreement procedures in accordance with the proviso to Article 6 (2)); and2. Where the taxpayer keeps and provides data verifying the arm’s length price computation method applied in declaring income tax or corporation tax and it is acknowledged that he has selected and applied the arm’s length price computation method according to reasonable judgment.(2) Whether the taxpayer has made a mistake or whether the judgment is reasonable as provided for in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1) shall be judged according to the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree.[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008]

(1) Where a domestic corporation (including the domestic place of business of a foreign corporation; hereafter the same shall apply in this Chapter) borrows funds from a foreign controlling shareholder, or from a third party under a payment guarantee (including the offer of a security, etc. for guarantee of payment) by the foreign controlling shareholder, and such borrowings exceed three times as much as the equity shares contributed with shares, etc. by the relevant foreign controlling shareholder, the interest paid and discount fee as to the relevant excessive portions shall be deemed to have been disposed of as a dividend or an outflow of income pursuant to Article 67 of the Corporation Tax Act under conditions prescribed by Presidential Decree, and shall not be included in deductible expenses of the relevant domestic corporation. In such cases, the scope of borrowings and the computing method of the amount treated as not to be included in deductible expenses shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(2) The multiplier of the borrowings against the equity shares of the foreign controlling shareholder under paragraph (1), may be separately prescribed by Presidential Decree by business type.(3) Where a domestic corporation attests, under conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree, that the size and conditions of the borrowings are identical with or similar to the ordinary size and conditions of the borrowings among the persons without special relationship, the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not be applied to the interest and discount fees on the relevant borrowings.(4) Where a domestic corporation subject to paragraph (1) has withheld at source the income tax and corporation tax for the foreign controlling shareholder on the interest and discount fees paid in each business year, such withheld tax amount shall be offset and adjusted in calculating the income tax or corporation tax on the dividend under paragraph (1).

Where the borrowings of a domestic corporation from other persons than a foreign controlling shareholder fall under the requisites listed in each of the following subparagraphs, the provisions of Article 14 shall be applied, treating them as the amount directly borrowed from the foreign controlling shareholder: Provided, That the provisions of Article 14 shall apply only if it satisfies the requisite under subparagraph 2 in cases where a domestic corporation has borrowed funds from a foreign related party who is not a foreign controlling shareholder:1. There shall be a prior contract between the relevant domestic corporation and the foreign controlling shareholder; and2. The borrowing conditions shall be substantially determined by the relevant domestic corporation and the foreign controlling shareholder.

(1) The provisions of Article 14 shall take precedence over the provisions of Article 4 of this Act and Article 28 of the Corporation Tax Act. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) In the application of Article 14, if there exist different interests or discount fees whereto separate interest rates apply, the interests or discount fees shall not be included in deductible expenses in order of those subject to a higher interest rate. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>

(1) Where a national has invested in a foreign corporation whose head office or principal office is located in a state or region in which taxes are not imposed on the whole or a substantial portion of the income actually earned by the corporation, or the tax burden is 15 percent or less of the income actually earned by the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “tax haven”), the amount imputable to the national out of the retained earnings distributable as of the end of each business year of a corporation having a special relationship with the national (hereinafter referred to as a “specific foreign corporation”) from among the said foreign corporations, shall be deemed a dividend paid to the national.(2) The scope of nationals subject to paragraph (1) shall be the persons who own directly or indirectly twenty percent or more of the total outstanding stocks or equity contribution of a specific foreign corporation as of the end of each business year. In this case, the outstanding stocks or equities in investment owned directly by the persons who fall within the scope of family as defined in Article 779 of the Civil Act shall be included in determining twenty percent of the total number of outstanding stocks or equities in investment. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(3) Paragraph (1) shall not be applicable where the income actually earned by a specific foreign corporation as of the end of each business year is not more than the amount specified by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(4) Matters necessary for the scope of income actually earned, non-taxable income and its scope, distributable retained earnings, and computation of the amount deemed as a dividend, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(1) Where a specific foreign corporation owns at a tax haven the fixed facilities, such as an office, store, factory, that are required for business activities, and substantially carries on its business through the said facilities, Article 17 shall not apply: Provided, That the same shall not apply to a specific foreign corporation falling under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>1. A specific foreign corporation which carries on the business of wholesale, financing and insurance, real estate, or rental, or the business services prescribed by Presidential Decree, and which satisfies the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree; and2. A corporation whose primary business is to own stocks, equities in investment, or bonds, provide intellectual property rights, lease ships, aircraft or equipment, or invest in the investment trusts or funds.(2) In cases where a foreign corporation has its place of actual business control at a tax haven, the tax authorities may apply Article 17 to such corporation, assuming that the place of actual business control is its head office or principal place of business under Article 17 (1). <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(3) In applying paragraph (1) 1, the classification of business type shall be governed by the Korea Standard Industry Code as publicly notified by the Commissioner of the National Statistical Office under Article 22 of the Statistics Act. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8387, Apr. 27, 2007>(4) Where a specific foreign corporation that engages in the wholesale business under paragraph (1) 1 sells goods to a person without special relationship who is in the same area, and meets the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, Article 17 shall not apply. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006; Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>

Where a specific foreign corporation, whose main business is to hold stocks or equities in investment (hereinafter referred to as “stocks or similar”) and which owns stocks or similar issued by one of its affiliated companies (referring to a foreign corporation the stocks of which are owned by the relevant specific foreign corporation and which meets the requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) (hereafter referred to as an “overseas holding company” in this Article), meets all of the following requirements, Article 17 shall not apply, regardless of whether the corporation carries on its business with a fixed facility, such as office, store, and factory: <Amended by Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>1. The overseas holding company has owned the stocks or similar issued by the affiliated company continuously for six months or longer as at the base date of the distribution of the dividends by the relevant affiliated company; and2. The ratio of the total amount of interest income, dividend income and other incomes prescribed by Presidential Decree received by the overseas holding company from the affiliated company under subparagraph 1 to the income (excluding the income generated by actually running a business, other than those falling under subparagraphs of Article 18 (1) with fixed facilities, such as office, store, and factory) of the relevant overseas holding company is equivalent to or more than the ratio prescribed by Presidential Decree.[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006]

(1) The amount deemed as a dividend under Article 17 (1) (hereafter referred to as “deemed dividend” in this Article) shall be included in a Korean national’s gains or dividend income (hereafter referred to as “gains or similar” in this Chapter) for the taxable year on which the sixtieth day after the end of the pertinent business year of the specific foreign corporation falls.(2) If any tax amount has already been paid to a foreign state when a specific foreign corporation actually distributes a dividend to a Korean national, the deemed dividend for the taxable year, which is included in gains or similar in accordance with paragraph (1), shall be treated as a foreign source income, while the tax amount already paid to a foreign state shall be deemed the one paid to the foreign state in the taxable year during which the amount is included in gains or similar in accordance with paragraph (1), and Article 57 (1) and (2) of the Corporation Tax Act and Article 57 (1) and (2) of the Income Tax Act shall apply thereto.(3) In applying Article 57 (4) of the Corporation Tax Act and Article 104-6 of the Special Tax Treatment Control Act, the deemed dividend included in gains or similar in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be deemed the dividend earned during the taxable year in which it is included in gains or similar.(4) Any person who intends to have the provisions of paragraph (2) applied shall file an application for the rectification with the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place as prescribed by Presidential Decree within one year from the deadline for income tax return and corporation tax return of the taxable year in which he has actually received dividend. <Amended by Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006]

(1) Where a specific foreign corporation actually distributes dividends from the relevant retained earnings (including dividends or distribution under Article 16 of the Corporation Tax Act) subsequent to an inclusion of retained earnings of the said corporation in gains or similar of a Korean national under Article 17 (1), it shall be deemed that such amount is a gain carried forward under subparagraph 2 of Article 18 of the Corporation Tax Act or that it does not fall within the dividend income under Article 17 (1) of the Income Tax Act, within the limit of the total sum of amounts deemed a dividend for ten years retroactively from the commencing date of the relevant taxable year. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) Where the retained earnings of a specific foreign corporation are included in a Korean national’s gains or similar under Article 17 (1) and said national transfers the stocks or similar of the relevant specific foreign corporation, it shall be deemed that the amount of subparagraph 1 less that of subparagraph 2 (if the relevant amount is below the decimal point, it shall be deemed zero) is a gain carried forward in accordance with paragraph (1) or that it does not fall within the transfer income under subparagraph 3 of Article 118-2 of the Income Tax Act. In such cases, where the amount deemed as a gain carried forward or as not falling within the transfer income exceeds the transfer margin of the relevant stocks or similar, such excessive amount shall be deemed nonexistent: <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>1. The amount equivalent to the total sum of the amounts treated as the dividends on the relevant transferred stocks or similar for ten years retroactively from the commencing day of the taxable year on which the transfer day falls; and2. The amount of actually distributed dividends on the relevant transferred stocks or the like.(3) The account books and evidencing documents necessary for calculating the gains or the like carried forward in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be preserved for ten years after the lapse of the statutory deadline set for filing a return on the relevant national tax for the taxable period to which the specific transaction belongs, notwithstanding Article 85-3 (2) of the Basic Act for National Taxes. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>

(1) Where a resident donates any property located abroad to a nonresident (excluding a donation effectuated by death of a donor), the donor shall be obligated to pay the gift tax pursuant to this Act, notwithstanding Article 4 (2) of the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act: Provided, That this shall not apply to the cases where the gift tax (including any tax having the nature substantially identical thereto) is levied on the said property (including the case where the tax is exempt) pursuant to the Acts and subordinate statutes of a foreign state. <Amended by Act No. 5193, Dec. 30, 1996; Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000>(2) In applying paragraph (1), the value of donated property shall be governed by its market price reflecting the current situations at the time of such donation in the state wherein the donated property is located, but the matters with regard to the computation of such market price shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That where it is difficult to compute a market price, it shall be governed by the method as specified by Presidential Decree taking into consideration the type, scale and trade situations of the relevant property.(3) The provisions of Articles 2, 47, 53, 56 through 58, 68, 69 (2), 70 through 72, 76, 78 (1) and (2), and 81 (1) of the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where the gift tax is imposed pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended by Act No. 5193, Dec. 30, 1996>

(1) Any national, resident, or domestic corporation of the Republic of Korea, any nonresident or any foreign corporation (limited to a nonresident or a foreign corporation having the place of business in Korea) may apply for commencing the mutual agreement procedures as prescribed by Presidential Decree, to the Minister of Strategy and Finance in the case of subparagraph 1, and to the Commissioner of the National Tax Service in the case of subparagraphs 2 and 3: <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>1. Where it is necessary to consult with a Contracting State on the application and interpretation of a tax treaty;2. Where any taxation has been or is likely to be assessed by the tax authorities of a Contracting State, that is not coinciding with the provisions of a tax treaty; and3. Where a tax adjustment is needed under a tax treaty between the Republic of Korea and a Contracting State.(2) The Minister of Strategy and Finance or the Commissioner of the National Tax Service shall, upon receipt of an application for commencing the mutual agreement procedures under paragraph (1), request the competent authorities of the Contracting State to commence the mutual agreement procedures, and notify the applicant of the fact of such request, except for the cases falling under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>1. Where the final decision has been made by a domestic or foreign court;2. Where the application has been filed by the ineligible person under the tax treaty;3. Where it is recognized that the taxpayer intends to utilize the mutual agreement procedures for the purpose of tax evasion; and4. Where the application has been filed after the lapse of 3 years from the date on which the taxation became known to the applicant.(3) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service shall, upon receipt of the application under paragraph (1), report to the Minister of Strategy and Finance, and said Minister may, if necessary, give an instruction as to the mutual agreement procedures. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>(4) The Minister of Strategy and Finance may, where falling under paragraph (1) 1, request ex officio the competent authorities of the Contracting State to commence the mutual agreement procedures. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>(5) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, where falling under paragraph (1) 2 and 3, request ex officio the competent authorities of the Contracting State to commence the mutual agreement procedures. In this case, the provision of paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(1) The commencing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall be the date falling under one of the following subparagraphs:1. Where a request for commencing the mutual agreement procedures is filed by the competent authorities of a Contracting State, the date on which an intent to accept such request is notified to the competent authorities of the Contracting State; and2. Where a request for commencing the mutual agreement procedures is forwarded to the competent authorities of a Contracting State, the date on which an intent to accept such request is received from the competent authorities of the Contracting State.(2) The closing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall be the date on which an agreement is reached in writing between the competent authorities of the Republic of Korea and a Contracting State: Provided, That where no mutual agreement is reached, the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall be the date on which 5 years elapse from the date next to that of commencing them.(3) Where an agreement is reached on the maintenance of the mutual agreement procedures between the competent authorities of the Republic of Korea and a Contracting State, the mutual agreement procedures shall not be closed notwithstanding the proviso to paragraph (2). In this case, the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall be fixed within 8 years beginning with the date following the commencing date thereof. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(4) Where the final decision is made by a court in the course of progressing the mutual agreement procedures, the date of the relevant final decision shall be the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures.

(1) Where the mutual agreement procedures have commenced, the period from the commencing date to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall not be included in the period for requesting under Articles 56 (3), 61, and 68 of the Basic Act for National Taxes and Article 74 of the Local Tax Act, and in the period for making a decision under Articles 65 and 81 of the Basic Act for National Taxes and Article 77 of the Local Tax Act. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) The head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government may, where the mutual agreement procedures have commenced before a notice of the payable tax amount, either defer a notice of the tax amount or notify an installment payment of final tax amount, not later than the end of the mutual agreement procedures. In this case, the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government shall notify the payable tax amount within 30 days from the date next to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures.(3) The head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government may, where the mutual agreement procedures have commenced after the tax payment notice or the urge thereof is served, either defer the collection of tax amount or defer the seizure of properties due to the disposition for arrears or the sales of seized properties. In this case, the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government shall set a new payment term, and collect the deferred tax amount, within 30 days from the date next to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures.(4) The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply only to the cases where a Contracting State also allows the deferment of tax collection and of disposition for arrears, in the course of progressing the mutual agreement procedures.(5) The head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government shall, where he allows the deferment of tax collection or of disposition for arrears under paragraph (3), additionally collect the amount equivalent to the interest for the said period as calculated under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree.(6) Any person who intends to be subjected to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall file an application for applying the special case of deferment of tax collection or of disposition for arrears with the head of the tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of the local government as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(7) Where any one of the deferment of notification, notice of installment payment, deferment of tax collection, or deferment of disposition for arrears (hereafter in this paragraph, referred to as the “deferment of notice, etc.”), is applied to the income tax amount or corporation tax amount under paragraph (2) or (3), the relevant deferment of notice, etc. shall also be applied, as it stands, to the local tax amount to be added to the relevant income tax amount or corporation tax amount without going through any separate procedures as provided in this Article. In this case, the Commissioner of the National Tax Service shall, under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree, notify the head of the local government of the fact of deferment of notice, etc. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000>

(1) Where the mutual agreement procedures agreed with a Contracting State are commenced, any national taxes shall not be imposed after the end of the period whichever some time later between the period of one year from the date next to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures, and the period as provided in Article 26-2 (1) of the Basic Act for National Taxes.(2) Where the mutual agreement procedures agreed with the Contracting State are commenced, any local taxes shall not be imposed after the end of the period whichever some time later between the period of one year from the date next to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures, and the period as provided in Article 30-4 (1) of the Local Tax Act.

(1) The Minister of Finance and Economy or the Commissioner of the National Tax Service may request the taxpayer who has applied for a commencement of the mutual agreement procedures to submit the documents necessary for proceeding the mutual agreement procedures. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>(2) The Minister of Strategy and Finance or the Commissioner of the National Tax Service may terminate ex officio the mutual agreement procedures in cases where the taxpayer fails to cooperate faithfully for a request for submission of documents under paragraph (1). In this case, the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures shall be the date on which the applicant is notified of the termination of such procedures. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>

(1) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service shall, where the mutual agreement procedures are closed, report the terms and conditions mutually agreed to the Minister of Strategy and Finance. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>(2) The Minister of Strategy and Finance or the Commissioner of the National Tax Service shall, where the mutual agreement procedures are closed, notify the tax authorities, head of the local government, Director of the Tax Tribunal, other relevant agencies, and the applicant for a commencement of the mutual agreement procedures of the terms and conditions mutually agreed within 15 days from the day next to the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act Nos. 8852 & 8860, Feb. 29, 2008>(3) The tax authorities or the head of the local government shall make a levying disposition, revised decision and other necessary actions under the tax laws, pursuant to the terms and conditions mutually agreed.(4) Where a final decision is made by a court after the completion of the mutual agreement procedures, and the contents of such final decision are different from the terms and conditions mutually agreed, the said mutual agreement shall be deemed nonexistent from the beginning.

(1) Upon receiving an application from a person, who had filed an application for the commencement of the mutual agreement procedure after the mutual agreement was concluded, for applying the terms and conditions mutually agreed to transactions between the applicant and a specially related party who resides in any country other than the country bound by the mutual agreement within three years from the date when the notice of conclusion of the mutual agreement is delivered, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, the head of a tax authority or a local government may apply the terms and conditions mutually agreed to the transactions with the specially related party who resides in any country other than a country bound by the mutual agreement, if all the following requirements are met:1. The transactions are of the same type as the one upon which the terms and conditions were mutually agreed;2. Taxes have been levied in the same manner as stipulated in the terms and conditions mutually agreed; and3. Other requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree are all met.(2) Article 27 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the extended application of the terms and conditions mutually agreed in accordance with paragraph (1) to a specially related party who resides in any country other than the country bound by the mutual agreement.[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006]

In the classification of a domestic source income of a nonresident or a foreign corporation, the provisions of tax treaty shall be preferentially applied, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 119 of the Income Tax Act and Article 93 of the Corporation Tax Act. <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998>

(1) With respect to the interest, dividend or royalty on intellectual properties, etc. which is a domestic source income of a nonresident or foreign corporation under tax treaties, the limited tax rate under tax treaties or the tax rate listed in any of the following subparagraphs, whichever is lower, shall apply: Provided, That in cases where Article 156-4 (1) of the Income Tax Act or Article 98-5 (1) of the Corporation Tax Act is applicable, the tax shall be withheld in accordance with Article 156-4 (1) of the Income Tax Act or Article 98-5 (1) of the Corporation Tax Act. In this case, the limited tax rate under tax treaties or the tax rate specified in any of the following subparagraphs, whichever is lower, shall apply when the tax base and tax amount are rectified pursuant to Article 156-4 (3) of the Income Tax Act or Article 98-5 (3) of the Corporation Tax Act: <Amended by Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998; Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>1. Where the inhabitant’s tax is not contained in the taxes subject to tax treaties, the tax rate as provided in Article 156 (1) 3 of the Income Tax Act or Article 98 (1) 3 of the Corporation Tax Act; and2. Where the inhabitant’s tax is contained in the taxes subject to tax treaties, the tax rate as provided in Article 156 (1) 3 of the Income Tax Act or Article 98 (1) 3 of the Corporation Tax Act, whereto reflected the tax rate as provided in Article 176 (2) of the Local Tax Act.(2) The tax authorities may, where a Contracting State requests residents or domestic corporations to furnish resident certificates for the application of the limited tax rates, issue the relevant certificates under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(1) The head of a tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place or the head of a local government may request that the Commissioner of the National Tax Service ask a Contracting State to take measures necessary for the tax collection when it is deemed inevitable that the Contracting State collects the payable taxes due to the difficulty of tax collection in Korea.(2) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, upon receipt of a request under paragraph (1), entrust the competent authority of the Contracting State with the collection of the relevant taxes under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree.(3) The Minister of Strategy and Finance or the Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, where he is entrusted by the competent authority of a Contracting State under tax treaties with the collection, in the Republic of Korea, of the taxes payable to the Contracting State, have the head of a tax office having jurisdiction over the tax payment place collect such taxes by referring to the practices of collection of national taxes under the conditions as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000; Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>

(1) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may exchange with a Contracting State the tax information required for the imposition and collection of taxes, review of tax appeals, and criminal prosecution, and the tax information generalized into international practices, within such limit as not conflicting with other Acts.(2) Where the competent authority of a Contracting State demands financial information [referring to information or data relating to the contents of financial transactions described in subparagraph 3 of Article 2 of the Act on Real Name Financial Transactions and Guarantee of Secrecy (hereinafter referred to as the “Real Name Financial Transactions Act”); hereafter in this Article the same shall apply] on such a nonresident (including any resident having foreign nationality; hereafter in this Article the same shall apply) or foreign corporation as prescribed by Presidential Decree under tax treaties, the Commissioner of the National Tax Service may request a specific branch (referring to the head of a financial institution in cases of Article 83 (1) of the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act) of a financial institution (referring to a financial institution listed in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Real Name Financial Transactions Act; hereafter in this Article the same shall apply) to offer the financial information falling under any of the following subparagraphs, notwithstanding Article 4 of the Real Name Financial Transactions Act, and a staff member of the financial institution so requested shall not refuse to comply with such request: <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>1. Where it falls under taxation materials to be submitted in accordance with tax-related Acts;2. Where it is necessary to verify inheritance or gift property;3. Where it is necessary for the competent authority of a Contracting State to verify any data sufficient to prove the suspicion of tax dodging;4. Where it is necessary to make inquiries into the property of a delinquent taxpayer of a Contracting State; and5. Where it is required by the competent authority of a Contracting State due to any cause falling under any subparagraph of Article 14 (1) of the National Tax Collection Act.(3) Any person engaged in a financial institution shall refuse to offer financial information if it is requested in violation of paragraph (2). <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(4) No person who has learned of financial information in accordance with paragraph (2) shall offer or divulge such information to any other person than the competent authority of a Contracting State or use such information for other purpose than the prescribed use, and no person shall request any person who has learned of financial information to offer such financial information. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(5) No person who has obtained the financial information offered or divulged in violation of paragraph (2) or (4) shall offer or divulge such information to any other person if he knows the fact of violation. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commissioner of the National Tax Service may place any limitation on the offer of financial information to a Contracting State on the principle of reciprocity. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>(7) Detailed matters concerning the exchange of tax information under paragraph (1) and of financial information under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>

(1) Any person who violates Article 31 (3) through (5) shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding thirty million won.(2) The penalty of imprisonment and a fine under paragraph (1) may be cumulatively imposed.[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002]

(1) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, where deemed that a tax audit is required on a transaction with a person to whom a tax treaty shall apply, conduct a tax audit on such transaction concurrently with a Contracting State, or dispatch tax officials to a Contracting State in order to directly conduct a tax audit or to participate in the tax audit by the Contracting State. <Amended by Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>(2) The Commissioner of the National Tax Service may, where a Contracting State requests his cooperation in the tax audit under tax treaties, accept it.

Matters necessary for the enforcement of a tax treaty shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

ADDENDA

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 1996: Provided, That the provisions of Articles 6, and 14 through 20 shall enter into force on January 1, 1997, but where the taxable year commences on January 1, 1997 in applying Article 6, the application may be filed within one month after the commencement of the said taxable year.

The provisions concerning income in this Act shall be applied to the portion of income first accrued after the enforcement of this Act.

The provisions concerning the deferment of disposition for arrears under Article 24 (3) through (6) shall also apply to the cases for which the mutual agreement procedures are in progress as of the enforcement date of this Act.

ADDENDA <Act No. 5193, Dec. 30, 1996>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 1997.

ADDENDA <Act No. 5581, Dec. 28, 1998>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 1999. (Proviso Omitted.)

ADDENDA <Act No. 5584, Dec. 28, 1998>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 1999. (Proviso Omitted.)

ADDENDA <Act No. 6299, Dec. 29, 2000>

This Act shall enter into force on September 1, 2001.

ADDENDA <Act No. 6304, Dec. 29, 2000>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 2001.

The amended provisions of Article 6 shall apply to the portion of applications for approval for an arm’s length price computation method first filed after the enforcement of this Act.

The amended provisions of the proviso to Article 11 (1) shall apply to the portion of a taxable year first reported after the enforcement of this Act.

Article 5 (Application Example to Special Taxation of Gift Tax on Overseas Gift)The amended provisions of Article 21 (1) shall apply to the portion of first donation after the enforcement of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 24 (1) and (7) shall apply to the portion of applications for commencement of the mutual agreement procedures first filed after the enforcement of this Act.

ADDENDA <Act No. 6779, Dec. 18, 2002>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 2003.

The amended provisions of Articles 2 (1) 8 (d) and 4 (2) shall apply to the trade which is made on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 2 (1) 11 shall apply with respect to the borrowings which are obtained from a foreign controlling shareholder on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 3 (2) shall apply to the trade which is made on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 7 shall apply to the trade which is made on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Articles 14 (1) and 16 shall apply to the borrowings which are obtained on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 18 (1) 1 shall apply to the taxable year which begins on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 23 (3) shall apply to mutual agreement procedures the closing date of which arrives on or after the enforcement date of this Act: Provided, That the amended provisions shall also apply where the competent authorities agree to maintain their mutual agreement though the closing date of the mutual agreement procedures arrives prior to the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Articles 31 and 31-2 shall apply to the exchange of information for which a request is made on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

ADDENDA <Act No. 7956, May 24, 2006>

This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 29 (1) shall enter into force on July 1, 2006.

This Act shall be enforceable to the taxable year on which the enforcement date of this Act falls and thereafter.

The amended provisions of Article 2 (1) 8 (c) and (d) shall be enforceable to the transactions made on or after the enforcement date of this Act.

The amended provisions of Article 6 (3) shall be enforceable to the applications filed after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 6-2 shall be enforceable to the agreements made on the cost allotment after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 8 (2) shall be enforceable to the transactions made after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 9 shall be enforceable to the income disposition and tax adjustment conducted after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 22 (1) shall be enforceable to the applications filed after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 27-2 shall be enforceable to the applications filed after this Act enters into force.

The amended provisions of Article 29 (1) shall be enforceable to the taxes withheld after this Act enters into force.

ADDENDA <Act No. 8139, Dec. 30, 2006>

This Act shall enter into force on January 1, 2007. (Proviso Omitted.)

ADDENDA <Act No. 8387, Apr. 27, 2007>

This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.

ADDENDA <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>

This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)

ADDENDA <Act No. 8860, Feb. 29, 2008>

This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

ADDENDA <Act No. 9266, Dec. 26, 2008>(1) (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.(2) (General Applicability) This Act shall apply beginning from the first taxable year that begins after this Act enters into force.(3) (Applicability to Special Exceptions to Application of Additional Tax) The amended provisions of Article 13 shall apply beginning from the first portion for which tax base and tax amount are rectified after this Act enters into force.(4) (Applicability to Application for Rectification of Tax Amount Paid to Foreign State) The amended provisions of Article 19 (4) shall apply beginning from the first portion for which the rectification of tax base and tax amount is applied after this Act enters into force.