The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yoo In-chon, hereafter referred to as the Ministry) will hold a total of 10 regional briefings on the 'Fitness Facility Usage Fee Tax Deduction System' in collaboration with the Korea Cultural Information Service (Director Jeong Un-hyun), starting on the 26th in Seoul (Samgyeong Education Center), followed by regions including the Gyeonggi area, Gangwon area, Chungcheong area, Gyeongsang area, and Jeolla area.
The government will implement the 'Fitness Facility Usage Fee Tax Deduction' starting July 1st of this year to alleviate the burden of fitness facility usage fees on the public. Previously applicable to cultural expenses in areas such as books, performances, museums, art galleries, newspapers, and films, the cultural expense tax deduction will now also apply to gyms and swimming pools, which are among the most frequently used fitness facilities. Earned income earners with an annual income of 70 million won or less can receive a tax deduction on 30% of the facility usage fee, up to a limit of 3 million won, when using gyms and swimming pools.
Businesses wishing to apply for the fitness facility usage fee tax deduction must submit their applications through the 'Cultural Expense Tax Deduction' website operated by the Korea Cultural Information Service under the Ministry by the end of June.
The Ministry will hold nationwide briefing sessions targeting gym and swimming pool operators in Seoul (26th), Suwon in the Gyeonggi area (27th), Wonju in the Gangwon area (28th), Daejeon in the Chungcheong area (30th), Busan in the Gyeongsang area (May 8th), and Gwangju in the Jeolla area (11th) until May to inform business operators about application methods for participation.
Pre-registration for attending the briefing sessions can be done online or through the information code (QR code) on the posters, and the first 50 pre-registrants will receive a coffee exchange voucher as a gift. On the day of the briefing, applications will also be accepted on-site, and prizes will be given through a lottery after the end of the briefing. More detailed information about the briefing sessions and tax deduction participation applications can be checked on the 'Cultural Expense Tax Deduction' website and through the customer center.
The Ministry policy officer noted, "Nationwide gym and swimming pool operators must apply by the end of June to receive the fitness facility usage fee tax deduction starting in July," adding, "The Ministry will strengthen cooperation with related associations and organizations such as the Korea Gym Management Association and the Korea Swimming Pool Management Association, and will actively promote participation of business operators through online communities and social media that industry stakeholders frequently use."
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