"From July Next Year, 30% Income Deduction for Gym and Swimming Pool Fees"

Employees earning under 70 million KRW eligible for up to 3 million KRW

From July 1 of next year, when using gym (fitness center) and swimming pool facilities, 30% of the cost can be deducted from income tax.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced, "The cultural expense income deduction, which applied to books, performances, museums, art galleries, newspapers, and films, will also apply to gyms and swimming pools starting next July," conveying the contents of the amendment to the Restriction of Special Taxation Act passed at the National Assembly plenary session on the 10th.

Workers with a total annual salary of 70 million KRW or less can receive 30% of the facility usage fee, up to a limit of 3 million KRW. However, fees for one-on-one personalized training (PT) and similar lessons will be excluded from the deduction.

The applicable facilities are those gyms and swimming pools among approximately 13,000 nationwide facilities registered with local governments under the Physical Fitness Facilities Act that have applied to participate. The MCST plans to strengthen briefings, feedback collection, and promotion targeting the industry together with the Korea Culture Information Service, the operator of the cultural expense income deduction, to encourage as many businesses as possible to participate so that many citizens can benefit.

The method to apply for participation in the system will be announced later through the cultural expense income deduction website. Pre-applications will be accepted until June of the following year, and thereafter applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

An MCST official stated, "With the inclusion of sports facilities in the cultural expense income deduction, public participation in physical activities is expected to increase," adding, "We anticipate growth not only in public health but also in related industries such as facilities, equipment, and clothing." The official also added, "We will strengthen policy support next year so that even more citizens can enjoy exercise."

This measure originated from a request by young people at the 17th Public Discussion held in March under the theme "Korea Leaping Forward with the Power of Youth," where they asked for the promotion of 'income deduction for everyday sports facilities' to reduce the economic burden of exercise.