KoreaInheritance

Guides & Resources

Korean Inheritance,
Explained for US Heirs.

In-depth guides written by a licensed Korean CPA & Tax Accountant for US citizens and green card holders navigating Korean inheritance — the tax, the deadlines, and the coordination between two jurisdictions.

Start Here

The Complete Guide for US Citizens Inheriting Korean Assets

Residency status, deadlines, Korean inheritance tax, Form 706, and the Korea-US treaty — everything in one place.

US Estate Tax

Form 706: US Estate Tax When Your Parent Held Korean Assets

Why Form 706 (not Form 3520) applies, the $15M exemption, and Form 706-CE foreign death tax credit.

The Penalty

Why Non-Residents Pay 2-3× More Korean Inheritance Tax

The deduction gap that makes a US-domiciled parent's estate far more expensive on the Korean side.

Timeline

The 9-Month Korean Inheritance Tax Deadline

How the deadline is calculated for overseas heirs, penalties for missing it, and installment options.

Real Estate

Inheriting Korean Real Estate as a US Resident

Valuation, title transfer, and the sell-vs-hold decision for an inherited Korean apartment.

The Trap

The PFIC Trap on Inherited Korean Funds

Why Korean mutual funds and ETFs trigger punitive US tax — and why to dispose within one year.

When Debts Exceed

Korean Inheritance Renunciation: The 3-Month Window

Full renunciation vs. limited acceptance when the Korean estate carries debt.

Tax Treaty

Korea-US Tax Treaty: Why There's No Estate Tax Treaty

The income-tax-only treaty and the IRC §2014 foreign death tax credit that fills the gap.

Specific Cases

Form 3520: When It Actually Applies to Korean Inheritance

The narrow cases — Korean-citizen decedents, foreign trusts — where Form 3520 is required.

Catch-Up

Streamlined Filing for Past Korean Inheritance

Missed past US filings? The penalty-free IRS path for non-willful taxpayers.

Calculator

Korean Inheritance Tax Calculator: How to Estimate Your Liability

Step-by-step walkthrough of Korean inheritance tax math with worked examples.

Procedure

Claiming a Korean Bank Account After a Parent Dies

Find, claim, and wire out your deceased parent's Korean savings — entirely from the US.

Capital Gains

Selling an Inherited Korean Apartment: US Tax Implications

Korean 양도세, stepped-up basis, and how the foreign tax credit prevents double taxation.

Dual Citizenship

Dual Citizen (Korea-US) Inheritance: Tax Rules Explained

Why Korean residency — not citizenship — sets the deduction; planning moves dual citizens miss.

2026 Update

2026 Korean Inheritance Tax: Current Rules & the 2028 Reform

Current 2026 figures plus the major 2028 shift from estate-based to inheritor-based taxation.

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