Dongducheon and Gyeongsan launch unclaimed local tax refund drives

South Korean municipalities Dongducheon and Gyeongsan are launching initiatives to return unclaimed local tax refunds to citizens.

In Dongducheon, authorities are addressing approximately 105 million won in unclaimed funds across 6,867 cases as of late September 2026. The city plans to send notifications to roughly 1,200 citizens with refunds exceeding 10,000 won during the third week of October. Residents can check and apply for these funds via Wetax or through ARS services. Local officials noted that the right to claim these refunds expires after five years.

Similarly, Gyeongsan is conducting a month-long cleanup in October to return 128 million won in unclaimed local taxes. The city reported approximately 5,300 cases, the majority of which are small amounts under 50,000 won, with 57.2% being less than 10,000 won. Gyeongsan will utilize KakaoTalk notifications for easy application and will send physical notices to elderly citizens or corporate entities who may face difficulties with digital platforms. Refunds typically arise from vehicle ownership transfers, tax corrections, or duplicate payments.