As of 2025, the tonnage tax regime has been in place in Korea for 20 years. Introduced to reduce the tax burden on shipping companies and enhance their international competitiveness, the regime has played a significant role in the maritime industry. H...
As of 2025, the tonnage tax regime has been in place in Korea for 20 years. Introduced to reduce the tax burden on shipping companies and enhance their international competitiveness, the regime has played a significant role in the maritime industry. However, empirical research on its long-term impact has been limited. This study aims to investigate the effect of the tonnage tax regime on the future business performance of Korean shipping companies. For this purpose, the sample covers the period from 2005, when the regime was introduced, to 2024, the most recent year for which financial statements are available, and includes shipping companies subject to external audit and listed companies required to disclose their financials. Using future operating profit and net income in t+1, t+2, and t+3 periods as proxies for future business performance, the analysis finds that the application of the tonnage tax has a positive effect on the near-future performance in t+1 and t+2, while having no significant impact on performance in t+3. The results suggest that the tonnage tax not only alleviates short-term tax burdens but also encourages long-term management activities such as vessel investment, thereby positively influencing future business outcomes. These findings may provide practical insights for shipping companies in financial planning and investment decision-making, and serve as a useful basis for the stable integration of the tonnage tax regime into Korea’s tax system and for future policy development.