Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix paid a combined 11.2 trillion won ($8.1 billion) in corporate taxes for the first half of 2026. This figure represents a 167% increase over the previous year. The payment marks the second-highest first-half total on record for both companies.
High demand for artificial intelligence memory chips drove the semiconductor market boom and the resulting tax surge. Samsung’s operating profit for the first half reached 146.7 trillion won. This is a sharp increase from the 11.4 trillion won reported in the same period last year.
Analysts project Samsung’s full-year operating profit will reach approximately 385 trillion won. They expect corporate tax payments to continue rising in line with these earnings.