Chile – South Korea Tax Treaty
The Chile-South Korea tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 10% for portfolio investors and 5% for qualifying direct investment, and interest at 5%. Royalty rates vary by category, from 5% on copyright to 10% on film and television. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 25 active treaties in Chile's network and one of 48 in South Korea's. The general dividend rate of 10% is below the median in both countries' treaty networks (Chile: 15%, South Korea: 15%).
Verified data
SII Tax Treaty Network (sii.cl) (Treaty list verified April 2026. Rates from individual treaty texts (Articles 10-12). Chile's statutory WHT on dividends/interest reflects the 35% additional tax on non-residents.)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: Chile Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (Chile) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 10%saves 25% | 35% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 5%saves 30% | 35% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 5%saves 30% | 35% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 6.3% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (Chile)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 10% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 5% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 35%.
Source: Chile Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 5% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 35% statutory rate. This represents a 30% reduction from the statutory rate.
Source: Chile Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 5% to 10%.
Source: Chile Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: Chile Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇨🇱Chile's Network
Among Chile's 25 active treaty partners, the 10% general dividend rate ranks 4th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| China | 10% |
| Spain | 10% |
| Italy | 10% |
| South Korea (this treaty) | 10% |
| Mexico | 10% |
| Sweden | 10% |
| Austria | 15% |
🇰🇷South Korea's Network
Among South Korea's 48 active treaty partners, the 10% general dividend rate ranks 3rd (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0% |
| United Arab Emirates | 10% |
| Chile (this treaty) | 10% |
| China | 10% |
| Colombia | 10% |
| Czech Republic | 10% |