Tax Accountant and Customs Broker Exam Fees Increase... TOEIC Validity Period Extended from 2 to 5 Years

Government Announces 'Follow-up Enforcement Decree Amendment for Tax Reform'

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] From next year, the application fees for the Certified Tax Accountant and Customs Broker exams will increase up to three times. For these exams only, the validity period for English test scores such as TOEIC will be extended from the current 2 years to 5 years.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced the "2022 Tax Reform Follow-up Enforcement Decree Amendment," which includes these details. This is a follow-up measure after the tax reform bill passed the National Assembly at the end of last year. The Ministry plans to announce the amendment for public comment from the 19th until July 3rd. The amendment is expected to be promulgated by the end of next month after the Cabinet meeting.

Specifically, from next year, the application fee for the Certified Tax Accountant exam will increase from the current 30,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW. Originally, the total fee for both the first and second parts of the exam was 30,000 KRW, but now applicants must pay 30,000 KRW for each part. The Customs Broker exam fee will also rise threefold, from the previous combined 20,000 KRW for both parts to 30,000 KRW each for the first and second parts.

The government stated that the application fees for the Certified Tax Accountant and Customs Broker exams have been "realigned" to match those of other qualification exams. In fact, the fees for the Certified Public Accountant and Patent Attorney exams are both 100,000 KRW each. The fees for the Appraiser and Labor Attorney exams are also higher than the previous fees for the Certified Tax Accountant and Customs Broker exams, at 80,000 KRW and 75,000 KRW respectively. A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "The exam fees have been adjusted to an appropriate level to strengthen the management of exam question setting and grading for the Certified Tax Accountant and Customs Broker exams."

Measures to alleviate the financial burden on examinees are also included. According to the amendment, the validity period for English test scores such as TOEIC, which are required for eligibility to take the Certified Tax Accountant exam, will be extended from 2 years to 5 years. Additionally, the passing score criteria for the English test for hearing-impaired individuals will be relaxed, considering the difficulty in assessing their English listening ability.

The scope of relatives considered special related parties under tax law will also be reduced. First, the degree of blood relatives will be narrowed from within the sixth degree to within the fourth degree. For relatives by marriage, the range will be adjusted from within the fourth degree to within the third degree. Biological fathers or mothers of children born out of wedlock have been added to the scope of relatives considered special related parties. Previously, the Fair Trade Commission announced an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fair Trade Act last month including these changes.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Finance expects tax revenue to decrease by about 20 billion KRW due to this amendment. Although the individual consumption tax and liquor tax will increase by 210 billion KRW and 20 billion KRW respectively, corporate tax revenue is expected to decrease by 250 billion KRW.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.