With AI Boom, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Paid 8.5 Trillion Won in Corporate Tax Last Year

Both Companies Pay Over 7 Trillion Won More Than Last Year
Tax Contribution Set to Rise Further With Projected 200 Trillion Won in Operating Profit This Year

Thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix experienced an unprecedented surge last year, with their combined corporate tax payments exceeding 8.4 trillion won. The total amount paid by both companies soared more than sixfold compared to the previous year. This year, with record-breaking performance forecasts and increased income tax from employee bonuses, their contribution to tax revenue is expected to grow even further.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system on March 1, on a separate basis, Samsung Electronics paid 2.8427 trillion won in corporate tax last year, a 167.4% increase from 1.063 trillion won the previous year. SK hynix paid 5.628 trillion won, which is nearly 20 times higher than the 281.3 billion won it paid the year before. The combined amount for both companies reached 8.4707 trillion won, representing an increase of more than 7 trillion won compared to a year earlier.

The sharp rise in corporate taxes for these companies was driven by explosive growth in the AI industry, which boosted their earnings. Last year, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix posted operating profits of approximately 43 trillion won and 47 trillion won, respectively. SK hynix set new all-time records for both sales and operating profit, while Samsung Electronics also achieved its highest-ever annual revenue, continuing its steep upward trajectory.

The market expects the combined operating profit of the two companies to approach 200 trillion won this year. This would be four to five times last year's results, making it highly likely that their corporate tax payments will also set a new all-time high. The effects of increased tax revenue are expected to become evident as early as next month's corporate tax filings and the interim prepayment due in August.

Not only corporate taxes, but also the taxes paid by employees are expected to increase significantly. SK hynix recently distributed the largest-ever bonuses, amounting to 2,964% of base salary, and Samsung Electronics' DS division awarded bonuses close to half of annual salary. As a result, it is anticipated that the income taxes paid by these employees will also reach record levels.

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