Village Tax Accountant and Designated Representative Systems
Protecting Taxpayer Rights and Interests in Gokseong County
On July 10, Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae) announced that it is operating the Village Tax Accountant and Designated Representative systems to protect the rights and interests of local tax payers.
The Village Tax Accountant system has been in place since 2016 and provides free tax consultations by local tax accountants for residents who have difficulty accessing professional tax advice due to geographical or economic reasons. The service is offered as a form of voluntary talent donation.
The county has appointed and operates tax accountant Kwon Kyugyu as the Village Tax Accountant. Residents can receive consultations on all aspects of taxation, including local and national taxes, via phone, fax, or email, and face-to-face consultations are also available if necessary.
Additionally, for taxpayers who have difficulty receiving consultations due to distance or lack of time, the county operates mobile Village Tax Accountant consultation offices in different regions. The schedule for these mobile consultations can be confirmed in advance through town and township broadcasts and other local announcements.
The Designated Representative system is intended for small-scale taxpayers who cannot afford to hire a tax representative for complex local tax appeals due to financial constraints. In such cases, a representative designated by South Jeolla Province provides free assistance with the appeal process on behalf of the taxpayer.
Individuals with assets of 500 million won or less and total income of 50 million won or less, and corporations with revenue of 300 million won or less and assets of 500 million won or less, are eligible to apply for the Designated Representative system if the claimed tax amount is 20 million won or less.
After submitting an appeal, if the application for a designated representative is submitted to the county, the eligibility will be reviewed, and within seven days, a designated representative?comprising a lawyer, tax accountant, or certified public accountant?will be assigned to handle the appeal process on behalf of the taxpayer.
A county official stated, "We plan to operate various taxpayer convenience systems so that residents can resolve complex tax issues easily and quickly," and added, "We will strive to protect taxpayer rights and interests through the Village Tax Accountant and Designated Representative systems."
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