Thursday 08 Oct 2026
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(Sept 27): South Korea’s excess tax revenue may exceed 50 trillion won (US$37 billion) this year, according to a Yonhap News report, reflecting factors including a stronger-than-expected semiconductor cycle.

That could push the size of the Future Response Fund, a government tool that channels excess tax revenue into strategic investments and fiscal reserves, to above 200 trillion won, according to Yonhap’s calculations.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance is expected to publish the figure in its revised 2026 national tax revenue estimate due later this month, according to the report.

The revenue windfall would give the government more room to increase spending without a corresponding rise in borrowing. Under the 2027 budget proposal, much of the semiconductor-driven windfall is set to flow towards helping finance AI, chips and youth support, while limiting bond issuance and building a fiscal buffer.

The finance ministry said in a statement on Sunday that no decision has been finalised on the revised estimate of this year’s national tax revenue.

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