[2025 Audit] NTS Commissioner Kwanghyun Lim: "Minimizing On-Site Investigation Periods to Ease Corporate Burden"

Strategy and Finance Committee Audit

Kwanghyun Lim, Commissioner of the National Tax Service, stated on October 16, "We will alleviate the burden of tax investigations on companies by minimizing the duration that investigation teams are stationed at business sites."

Commissioner Lim made these remarks during a National Assembly Strategy and Finance Committee audit held at the Sejong Government Complex, adding, "We will push forward with tax investigation reforms that boldly eliminate inconveniences at investigation sites."

Kwanghyun Lim, Commissioner of the National Tax Service. (File photo)

A comprehensive overhaul of the national tax delinquency management system is also being pursued. Commissioner Lim said, "We will establish a National Tax Delinquency Management Team to conduct a full-scale review of the 1.33 million delinquent taxpayers. For livelihood-related delinquents, we will support economic recovery by easing requirements for special collection measures, deferring or suspending seizures and sales, and actively lifting ineffective property seizures. For malicious high-value or habitual delinquents, we will expand the dedicated tracking teams, conduct joint searches with local governments, and strengthen international cooperation to thoroughly track down and recover hidden assets."

He also emphasized a strict response to real estate tax evasion and offshore tax evasion. Commissioner Lim stated, "We will conduct a thorough verification of the sources of funds for high-priced housing purchases and for foreigners and minors, and eradicate real estate tax evasion through close cooperation systems such as signing business agreements with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. We will respond precisely to offshore tax evasion by expanding the tax infrastructure, such as implementing compulsory performance fines and securing overseas transaction data, and focus investigations on unfair practices, including private benefit-taking by controlling shareholders."

Commissioner Lim also announced plans to focus on the stable procurement of tax revenue within his jurisdiction through meticulous tax revenue management. According to the National Tax Service, cumulative tax revenue as of August this year reached 255.1 trillion won, an increase of 28 billion won from the previous year, with a progress rate of 70.4%, up 1.2 percentage points year-on-year. The main reasons cited include a 17.8 trillion won increase in corporate tax due to improved corporate performance in 2024, and a 4.7 trillion won increase in earned income tax resulting from a rise in the number of workers and nominal wages.

Commissioner Lim said, "Going forward, there are concerns that uncertainties will persist both domestically and internationally, due to delayed domestic demand recovery such as a downturn in construction investment, and worsening export conditions due to customs duties. We will closely monitor various factors affecting tax revenue, including domestic and international economic conditions and trade environments, thoroughly manage monthly tax revenue progress and contingent variables, and make every effort to strengthen cash collection of delinquent taxes and respond to large-scale lawsuits."