Income Deduction on Usage Fees at Over 17,300 Sports Facilities Nationwide Starting in July

Comprehensive and Public Sports Facilities Newly Eligible
Operators Seeking Income Deduction Must Apply by End of June

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on May 28 that, starting July 1, the scope of the “sports facility usage fee income deduction” will be expanded from the existing fitness centers and swimming pools to also include public sports facilities and general sports facilities.

As a result, the total number of facilities eligible to apply for the income deduction is expected to reach approximately 17,300, combining around 16,000 private sports facilities (about 14,800 fitness centers, 900 swimming pools, and 300 general sports facilities) and 1,300 public sports facilities. The newly included general sports facilities refer to businesses that operate two or more types of sports facilities, including indoor swimming pools, managed by the same person at a single location as a unified sports facility.

Previously, the Ministry had announced that employees with an annual income of 70 million won or less could receive an income deduction of 30% on facility usage fees, up to a limit of 3 million won, when using gyms and swimming pools.

Sports facility operators who wish to apply the income deduction must submit their participation application by the end of June through the “Culture Expense Income Deduction Website,” operated by the Korea Culture Information Service Agency under the Ministry. In line with this expansion, the Ministry sent official notices to local governments nationwide on May 20, and has been continuously holding nationwide on-site briefings for the industry since April. In addition, in cooperation with the Korea Culture Information Service Agency, the Ministry plans to maximize industry participation in the program through on-site registration guidance, mailing of application instructions, text messages, phone consultations, and online events.

For more detailed information, including how to apply for the income deduction, please visit the “Culture Expense Income Deduction Website” or contact the customer center.

A Ministry policy official stated, “Sports facility operators must apply for participation by the end of June so that users can benefit from the income deduction without delay starting in July. Participating facilities will also have the advantage of being listed on the Culture Expense Income Deduction Website and other platforms, increasing their exposure to consumers. As eligibility for the income deduction is expected to become a key factor in consumer choice, we strongly encourage operators who wish to expand their customer base to actively apply. We also hope that the public will check the Culture Expense Income Deduction Website to find eligible facilities nearby and take full advantage of the benefits.”