Cost Guide
How Much Does a Tax Advisor Cost?
Tax advice in Korea is usually priced per job rather than per hour: a consultation costs ₩20,000–₩150,000, a capital gains tax return (양도소득세) about ₩150,000–₩800,000, and a gift or inheritance tax return starts around ₩500,000–₩700,000 and rises with the size of the assets. Responding to a tax audit (세무조사) costs far more. There is no official fee schedule, so ask for the price of the whole job before you start.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Tax advisory & enrolled agent services · Reviewed September 2026
Typical rates
Consultation
₩20,000–₩150,000 per session
Online platforms are at the low end and traditional offices at the high end. Many offices credit the fee against later filing work.
Capital gains tax return (양도소득세)
₩150,000–₩800,000 per return
Reported market range for a standard sale of a home or land. Several properties or incomplete purchase records cost more.
Gift tax return (증여세)
from ₩500,000
Usually a minimum fee per case, with a small percentage of the gifted amount added for larger gifts.
Inheritance tax return (상속세)
from ₩700,000
A minimum fee per case. It scales with the value and number of assets, and complex estates cost far more.
Tax audit response (세무조사 대응)
₩3,000,000–₩7,000,000
Reported range for a mid-size company. Often a retainer plus a success fee, so get the terms in writing.
What Factors Affect the Cost?
- Type of tax matter — a routine filing costs far less than capital gains on several properties, an inheritance or an audit response
- Asset value — gift and inheritance fees usually rise with the amount, so a larger estate costs more to file
- Documentation — missing purchase records, several properties or overseas assets add time
- Residency and cross-border income — resident or non-resident status, foreign income and tax treaties make a case more complex
- Advice, filing or representation — advice alone costs less than filing, and filing costs much less than representing you before the National Tax Service
What you get at each price level
Budget
₩20,000–₩150,000
Typical for: Online consultation platforms and small offices that charge for a first session
Best for: A single question, a quick second opinion, or checking whether you need a full filing
Mid-range
₩150,000–₩1,000,000
Typical for: Registered 세무사 offices priced per filing
Best for: Capital gains, gift or income-tax filings with one clear transaction or a few income sources
Premium
₩1,000,000+
Typical for: 세무법인 (tax firms) and senior 세무사 or CPAs with property, inheritance or audit experience
Best for: Inheritance, several properties, cross-border income, or responding to a tax audit
When it's worth paying more
Official Resources
Official IRS page explaining Enrolled Agent status and how to verify an EA's license.
The professional body for Enrolled Agents — use the directory to find and verify EAs.
Professional resources and standards for CPAs practicing in tax advisory.
Related Comparisons
Key Terms
Tax Planning
Tax planning is the process of structuring your finances and decisions throughout the year to legally minimize your tax liability — as distinct from tax preparation, which files what has already happened.
S-Corp Election
An S-Corp election is a tax designation that allows a business to pass income directly to shareholders and avoid double taxation — while also providing potential savings on self-employment taxes.
Tax Credit
A tax credit is a direct, dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax bill. Unlike a tax deduction (which reduces taxable income and saves taxes at your marginal rate), a $1,000 tax credit reduces taxes owed by exactly $1,000 — making credits significantly more valuable than equivalent deductions.
Estimated Tax
Estimated taxes are quarterly tax payments made by self-employed individuals, freelancers, and businesses to cover income tax, self-employment tax, and other taxes that aren't withheld by an employer.
Audit Representation
Audit representation (also called taxpayer representation) is the service of having a qualified professional — CPA, enrolled agent, or tax attorney — represent you before the IRS or state tax authority during an examination. A representative handles all communications, prepares responses, and negotiates on your behalf — you typically do not need to meet with the IRS directly.