Seoul's Gangnam-gu announced Monday that it has published a tax guide titled "A Tax Guide to Redevelopment and Reconstruction Projects with Gangnam-gu."
The guide covers tax information at key stages where obligations change — including approval of a management and disposal plan, demolition and deregistration, and project completion and move-in. It also addresses differences in property tax, acquisition tax and capital gains tax across reconstruction, redevelopment and remodeling projects, with calculation examples and a directory of consultation agencies. Common questions from the field are answered through case studies, such as "Why was I billed property tax after demolition?", "Is an occupancy right subject to property tax?" and "How does acquisition tax differ before and after deregistration for a successor union member?"
The district plans to distribute the guide at union general meetings, resident briefings and union officer training sessions, where stage-specific local tax consultations will also be held. Printed copies will be kept on permanent display at the district office's civil affairs counter, and a digital guidebook accessible via PDF and QR code will allow residents to check relevant information at any time.
Gangnam-gu currently has 103 redevelopment and reconstruction projects under way, including 53 reconstruction projects, along with remodeling, small-scale redevelopment and market redevelopment initiatives. As projects progress, housing units transition from occupancy rights to newly built homes, and the taxable subject and reporting deadlines shift accordingly. Tax obligations also vary depending on whether a union member is an original or successor member, generating a consistent stream of related inquiries.
The guide was developed based on demand identified in the field. At the district's first "Field-Focused Open Tax Consultation Session" held in March, five tax accountants specializing in reconstruction and real estate provided tailored consultations. All 30 advance reservations were filled, and questions continued on tax standards and reporting procedures by project stage. The district compiled the most common inquiries into the guidebook so residents can easily access the information outside of consultation sessions.
"Reconstruction projects span long periods and involve different taxes at each stage, which is an area where union members often struggle," Gangnam-gu Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi said. "We will provide on-site consultations alongside the guide to deliver timely information, and expand taxpayer-centered tax services that anyone can easily understand."
Kim launched the "Gangnam Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force" — known by its Korean acronym Sinhwa TF — as his first official act on the day he took office, with himself serving as its head. He has since been directing efforts to shorten permit approval timelines and accelerate redevelopment projects across the district.
cook@heraldcorp.com
