Living in Korea — on any visa, from any country — and won Powerball or Mega Millions? Here's a simple explanation of what happens with taxes, in both the US and Korea.
30-second summary
For example
Say you win $100 million (lump sum):
Step 1: the US withholds 30% immediately → you're left with about $70 million.
Step 2: if you're a Korean tax resident, Korea may take an additional cut. Nobody knows exactly how this will be calculated yet, but under one common estimate (adding Korea's full progressive income tax, then crediting the tax already paid in the US), you could end up with roughly $53-54 million in the end.
In short, what you actually take home would land somewhere between $53 and $70 million out of the original $100 million — the exact figure depends on how Korea ultimately decides to tax this, so consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
If you've lived in Korea for a long stretch (typically 183 days or more per year), or your family, work, and life are mainly based here, Korea will treat you as a tax resident. This rule is the same for everyone regardless of nationality or visa type — it's not specific to any one country's citizens.
If you've only recently arrived in Korea, or you're only here temporarily, you may not owe Korean tax on this money at all. If you're unsure, ask a Korean tax accountant (세무사) directly.
Regardless of who wins, the US withholds 30% immediately before the money ever reaches you. Korea, meanwhile, taxes its tax residents' income no matter where in the world it was earned — so if you count as a Korean tax resident, this prize may need to be reported here too.
The US-Korea tax treaty grants relief for various other kinds of income, but there is no exemption for lottery or gambling winnings — this has been confirmed by an actual court case.
⚠️ Still unclear
Right now, nobody knows exactly how Korea will tax this money — as a simple flat add-on tax, or folded into your other income at a higher progressive rate. Even Korea's own National Tax Service acknowledges there's no settled rule for this specific scenario. If this actually happens to you, find a professional who understands both the US and Korean tax systems before you file anything.
Yes, partially. Tax paid in the US can be credited against tax owed in Korea, so you won't be taxed in full twice on the same money. But this credit has a limit, and if the lottery prize is your only foreign-source income, exactly how that limit is calculated isn't entirely settled yet. If the amount withheld in the US exceeds the allowed limit, the excess may not be refundable.
If I win, how much would I actually take home?
Calculate now →It depends on how long you've lived in Korea and where the center of your life actually is — not your nationality. If you've spent 183 days or more a year here, you're generally treated as a tax resident and may owe tax here as well. If you're unsure, ask a tax accountant.
Yes, if the ticket was purchased legally. But the US will withhold 30% immediately.
Not fully twice. The US withholds 30% first. After that, if you also owe tax in Korea, part of the tax already paid in the US reduces the Korean tax.
The US federal withholding (30%) is almost never refunded. Some states also withhold extra tax, and depending on the state, an over-withheld portion may be refundable later.
This page is an informational simulation only and does not represent the sale or brokerage of lottery tickets. For real situations, please consult a qualified tax professional in both the US and Korea.