Financial Term Explorer
Withholding Tax
Tax automatically deducted from dividend payments before you receive them. US stocks: 15%, Korean stocks: 15.4% withholding.
📝 Definition
**Withholding Tax** is tax deducted at the source before income is paid to recipients. US stock dividends for Korean investors are withheld at 15% (US-Korea tax treaty), while Korean stock dividends are withheld at 14% (income tax) + 1.4% (local tax) = 15.4%.
In Simple Terms
When $100 dividend is announced, you actually receive $85 (US) or $84.60 (Korea). The government takes its cut first. Always plan investments based on after-tax yield.
Example
Samsung dividend of ₩1,000 has ₩154 withheld, crediting ₩846 to your account. Apple dividend of $100 has $15 withheld, crediting $85.
💡 Practical Tips
- 1Use ISA accounts for tax benefits on Korean stock dividends.
- 2Base investment decisions on after-tax yields.
- 3Monitor total financial income to manage overall tax brackets.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Looking only at pre-tax dividend yields leads to inaccurate return expectations. Always calculate after-tax yields.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get back the 15% US withholding tax?▼
If your financial income exceeds ₩20 million and triggers comprehensive taxation, you may claim foreign tax credits to recover some portion.