Gwangju City Conducts 'Home Searches' for High-Value Tax Delinquents Owing Over 10 Million Won

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Delinquent Tax Management Team (Delinquent Tax Collection Mobile Unit) conducted home searches on high-amount delinquent taxpayers owing more than 10 million won from the 27th to the 29th.

In particular, Gwangju City closely analyzed the family’s asset status and housing types among high-amount local tax delinquents, focusing on intelligent delinquents who have the ability to pay but have not paid local taxes for a long time, or who transferred assets to their spouse’s name to avoid forced measures such as seizure by the tax authorities, as well as delinquents living a luxurious lifestyle.

In the case of Mr. A, who owed tens of millions of won in local income tax, there was suspicion of asset concealment as he built a house on a 300-pyeong lot but registered it under his spouse’s name, and also registered the building where his business is located under a corporation with his spouse as the representative. During this home search, 40 million won of the delinquent amount was collected, and the remainder was arranged to be paid in installments within 2 to 3 months.

Mr. B, who resides in a high-priced apartment worth about 1.3 billion won and owes tens of millions of won, lived with his wife and owned and operated two expensive foreign cars under his wife’s name. Despite repeated encouragement to voluntarily pay, he did not comply. Accordingly, Gwangju City seized luxury handbags, luxury watches, and precious metals as movable property during this home search.

Mr. C is a high-amount delinquent owing over 100 million won. When encouraged to pay voluntarily, he claimed he had no assets due to business failure, but he currently resides in a high-priced 77-pyeong apartment, and the residence is registered under the name of his cohabiting wife, raising suspicion of asset concealment. Through the home search, cash and 1.2 million won in dollars, expensive luxury watches, and numerous valuables were seized.

Gwangju City plans to use the seized movable property for delinquent tax payment through future public auctions.

Kim Dong-hyun, the city’s tax administration officer, said, “We will do our best to collect delinquent taxes to the end through intensive tracking investigations against those who live luxuriously or conceal assets despite having the ability to pay taxes but refuse to pay.”