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StartupKorea Guide

May 23, 2025

🧾 How To Issue an Electronic Invoice in Korea

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🚀 Ever found yourself tangled in the complexities of issuing an electronic invoice in a foreign country? When I signed a contract with a Korean company, I was thrown into the world of electronic invoicing, and it felt daunting at first. Here are some key points I learned along the way: • Understand the Basics: An electronic invoice (전자세금계산서) is essential for business transactions in Korea, processed through the National Tax Service's HomeTax system. • Prerequisites Matter: Ensure you have a valid business registration number, a HomeTax account, and a specific digital certificate for issuing invoices. • Step-by-Step Process: From logging in to HomeTax to filling in invoice details, following a structured approach can simplify the process significantly. • Get the Right Certificate: The distinction between regular banking certificates and tax-purpose certificates is crucial. Always request the correct type at your bank. • Important Reminders: Invoices must be issued within the same month of the transaction, and keep copies for at least 5 years! Navigating this system may seem tricky, but with the right guidance, it can become a manageable task. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if needed!

Introduction

If you run a business in Korea you need to know how to issue an electronic invoice! As many of my clients were abroad I didn’t need to worry about issuing an electronic invoice. Until I offered my service to Korean clients. Today I’m going walk you through how you can issue an electronic invoice. It might seem straightforward once you’ve done it but hell when you have no idea!

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What is an Electronic Invoice (전자세금계산서)?

An electronic invoice, or "전자세금계산서" in Korean, is a digital tax document that businesses must issue for goods and services transactions in South Korea. It's mandatory for most business transactions and is processed through the National Tax Service's HomeTax system. This digital system streamlines tax reporting by automatically calculating VAT and income tax, while also providing a transparent record of all business transactions. The electronic format makes it remarkably efficient for both businesses and tax authorities, as it eliminates paperwork and reduces errors in tax calculations, a significant advantage of Korea's advanced digital infrastructure.

Prerequisites

Valid business registration number (사업자등록번호)

HomeTax account (공인인증서)

Digital certificate for electronic signatures for Tax (전자 세금용 공인인증서)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Login to HomeTax

Visit the HomeTax website (www.hometax.go.kr)

Click on "로그인" (Login)

2. Navigate to E-Invoice Section

Click on "전자세금계산서" in the main menu

Select "전자세금계산서 발급" (Issue Electronic Invoice)

3. Fill in Invoice Details

Enter the recipient's business registration number (상대방 사업자등록번호)

Fill in the transaction date (작성일자)

Enter the item details, quantity, and amount (공급가액)

4. Review and Issue

Double-check all entered information

Click "발행" (Issue) to generate the invoice

Confirm using your digital certificate

Register Digital certificate for electronic signatures for Tax

To register your digital certificate for electronic signatures in HomeTax, follow these steps:

Go to HomeTax website (www.hometax.go.kr)

Click on '인증센터' (Authentication Center) at the top of the page

Select '공인인증서 등록' (Register Digital Certificate)

Choose '사업자' (Business) as your user type

Enter your business registration number (사업자등록번호)

Choose Your Digital Certificate for Tax

Enter the password for your digital certificate

Click '확인' (Confirm) to complete the registration

Once registered, your digital certificate will be linked to your HomeTax account, allowing you to issue electronic invoices. Remember that this certificate needs to be renewed annually, typically through your bank or a certified certificate authority.

Note: Make sure you have already obtained the correct type of digital certificate (전자세금계산서용 공인인증서) from your bank before attempting to register it in HomeTax.

How To Issue Digital Certificate from Bank

When you first try to issue an electronic invoice, you might get confused of your certificate not showing up or when adding the certificate manually you get the error message "지원하지 않습니다" (Not Supported) or "Your Certificate Has Not Been Registered". This happens because HomeTax requires a specific type of digital certificate for issuing invoices - your regular banking certificate won't work, even if it lets you log into HomeTax.

The key difference is:

Regular Banking Certificate (일반 공인인증서): Lets you do online banking and log into HomeTax

Tax-Purpose Certificate (전자세금용 공인인증서): Required specifically for issuing electronic invoices

Make sure to explicitly request a certificate for tax purposes (전자세금용) when visiting your bank. This will save you from the frustrating loop of trying to issue invoices with the wrong type of certificate!

Visit your company's bank branch or website

Here's a step-by-step guide for Woori Bank:

Go to Woori Bank website (www.wooribank.com)

Click on '인증센터' (usually found at the top of the page)

Select '공인인증서 발급/재발급' (Issue/Reissue Digital Certificate)

Choose '기업' (Business) customer type

Select '전자세금용 공인인증서' (Digital Certificate for Tax)

Follow the verification process (usually requires your business account information)

Complete payment (fees may apply)

Download and install your new certificate

Note: The exact menu names might vary slightly due to website updates, but the general process remains the same. Other banks follow a similar process.

Request a digital certificate specifically for HomeTax invoice issuance (전자세금계산서용 공인인증서)

Go to HomeTax's 인증센터 (Authentication Center) to register your new certificate

This was one of the most confusing parts of the process for me, I could log in to HomeTax with my regular banking certificate but couldn't issue invoices. Make sure to get the correct type of certificate from your bank specifically for invoice issuance.

Important Notes

Invoices must be issued within the same month as the transaction

Keep copies of all issued invoices for at least 5 years

Make sure to verify the recipient's business registration number before issuing

Conclusion

While issuing an electronic invoice in Korea might seem confusing at first, following these steps makes the process manageable. Remember to obtain the correct digital certificate specifically for invoice issuance, verify all information before submission, and maintain proper records. With this guide, you should be able to successfully navigate the Korean electronic invoicing system and meet your business obligations efficiently.

If you encounter any issues during the process, don't hesitate to contact the HomeTax support center or consult with a tax professional. The system is designed to streamline business transactions, and once you're familiar with it, you'll find it to be a straightforward and efficient way to manage your invoicing needs in Korea.

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Kim Ninja (Nguyen Huy Kim)

🧭 Cultural Guide · ✍️ Storyteller · 🎨 Curator

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The blog published by Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen) is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter.