Crypto seized for tax arrears can be sold by KAMCO — effective 1 October 2026 | virtual assets added to delegated public sales
From 1 October 2026, a tax office may delegate the sale of virtual assets seized for tax arrears to the Korea Asset Management Corporation. Where delegated, the sale is deemed made by the tax office head, and KAMCO staff are treated as tax officials for penalty purposes. Delegation applies only where expertise is needed or a direct sale is deemed unsuitable, so not every seized coin goes to KAMCO.
Conditions used in the video
- Effective date
- 2026-10-01
- Promulgated
- 2025-12-23
- Basis
- National Tax Collection Act Article 103(1)5 and (3)
- Now
- seized virtual assets sold directly by the tax office
- Amended
- sale of virtual assets added to the KAMCO delegation list
- Condition for delegation
- expertise required, or a direct sale deemed unsuitable
Results
- Now
- direct sale by the tax office
- From 2026-10-01
- KAMCO may sell on the tax office's behalf
- Effect of delegation
- deemed sold by the tax office head
- KAMCO staff
- treated as tax officials for penalty purposes
- Scope
- only where the tax office delegates, not all
Why it works this way
Today, virtual assets seized for tax arrears are sold by the tax office itself. Public sales of real estate and movables may be handled by the Korea Asset Management Corporation, but virtual assets were not among the items listed in Article 103 of the National Tax Collection Act.
National Tax Collection Act Article 103(1)5 (effective 2026-10-01).
- Seizurethe tax office seizes the debtor's virtual assets
- Delegated saleto KAMCO where expertise is needed or a direct sale is unsuitable
- Effectdeemed sold by the tax office head
For penalty purposes KAMCO staff are treated as tax officials (paragraph 3).
Delegation happens only where the tax office head finds that expertise is needed or that a direct public sale is unsuitable. Not every seized coin goes to KAMCO, and the procedure from seizure to sale follows the order set by the Act.
The amendment promulgated 2025-12-23 has two effective dates.
- 2026-01-01Article 10-2 status verification officers (already in force)
- 2026-10-01Article 103(1)5 and (3) (delegated sale of virtual assets)
- This episodecovers only the 1 October portion
For a tax debtor, what changes is that the party selling the asset can now be KAMCO.
This video and page describe a measure that has been promulgated but has not taken effect. Details may change through a decree or notice.
In short, from 1 October 2026 seized virtual assets may be sold either by the tax office or by KAMCO on its behalf, and a delegated sale counts as the tax office's own.
The legal basis
Drawn from government announcements and the statutes themselves as primary sources, covering only the relevant part.
National Tax Collection Act Article 103(1)5 (Delegation of public sales)
In force Effective 2026-10-01 (promulgated 2025-12-23; Addenda proviso)
Where expertise is required or a direct public sale is deemed unsuitable, the competent tax office head may have the Korea Asset Management Corporation carry out the sale of virtual assets. In that case the sale is deemed made by the tax office head.
What this means
The party selling seized coins broadens. Even when delegated, legally it is the tax office's sale.
National Tax Collection Act Article 103(3)
In force Effective 2026-10-01
Where the Korea Asset Management Corporation carries out a sale on delegation, its staff are deemed tax officials in applying penalty provisions of the Criminal Act and other laws.
What this means
KAMCO staff carry the same responsibility as tax officials for the sale.
Run it on your own numbers
The calculator opens with these conditions already filled in. Change the figures and your own case comes straight out.
Open the Penalty Tax Calculator
Frequently asked
Can my coins be seized for tax arrears?
Virtual assets are already subject to seizure and sale under the National Tax Collection Act. This amendment lets KAMCO carry out the sale on the tax office's behalf.
Do all seized coins go to KAMCO?
No. The tax office delegates only where it finds expertise is needed or a direct public sale is unsuitable.
Is a KAMCO sale different from a tax office sale?
No. A delegated sale is deemed made by the tax office head, and KAMCO staff are treated as tax officials for penalty purposes.
What about the status verification officers?
Article 10-2 from the same amendment took effect on 1 January 2026. This episode covers only the delegated sale of virtual assets, effective 1 October.
Results are estimates based on the inputs and on the rules as at the stated date. They may differ from a lender's actual assessment, and the rules change often. Take professional advice before any decision that matters.