It has been reported that the National Tax Service has notified actor Yoo Yeon-seok of a tax claim amounting to 7 billion won, and Yoo Yeon-seok's side has stated, "We will actively clarify in accordance with legal procedures."
On the 14th, Yoo Yeon-seok's agency King Kong by Starship stated, "This matter arises from a difference in interpretation and application of tax law between the tax representative and the tax authorities, and we are currently at the stage of waiting for the tax authorities' notification after going through a pre-tax review. This is not a matter that has been finally confirmed and notified, and we plan to actively clarify the issues related to legal interpretation and application through proper procedures."
The agency added, "This matter involves the income of the corporation that Yoo Yeon-seok has operated for the past five years, which has developed and produced YouTube content as an extension of his entertainment activities, and has been running additional businesses and restaurants based on this. The tax authorities interpreted this as subject to income tax rather than corporate tax, resulting in personal income tax being imposed on the portion that the tax representative had previously reported as corporate income. Yoo Yeon-seok has always prioritized fulfilling his tax obligations faithfully and will continue to comply with relevant laws and procedures as a responsible citizen."
Earlier that day, CBS No Cut News reported that the National Tax Service had recently notified Yoo Yeon-seok of a rigorous tax investigation, imposing approximately 7 billion won in taxes, including income tax.
This amount significantly exceeds the 6 billion won tax claim against actor Lee Ha-nee, which had previously sparked controversy. Like Lee Ha-nee, Yoo Yeon-seok established the entertainment agency 'Forever Entertainment,' and it is reported that the National Tax Service initiated a tax investigation due to perceived tax issues in this process.
Lee Ha-nee respected the tax authority's decision and paid the full amount of tax, which significantly exceeds the maximum tax rate under tax law. She stated, "I will actively clarify the issues of double taxation and legal interpretation through legal procedures."
Unlike Lee Ha-nee, Yoo Yeon-seok has filed for a 'pre-tax review' in January, contesting the National Tax Service's notification. A pre-tax review is a type of appeal procedure that taxpayers can request if they disagree with the tax authorities' actions, involving internal and external committee members who participate in the decision-making process. He intends to actively clarify various issues to correct the amount.
<Below is the full official statement from King Kong by Starship>
This matter arises from a difference in interpretation and application of tax law between the tax representative and the tax authorities, and we are currently at the stage of waiting for the tax authorities' notification after going through a pre-tax review. This is not a matter that has been finally confirmed and notified, and we plan to actively clarify the issues related to legal interpretation and application through proper procedures.
This matter involves the income of the corporation that Yoo Yeon-seok has operated for the past five years, which has developed and produced YouTube content as an extension of his entertainment activities, and has been running additional businesses and restaurants based on this. The tax authorities interpreted this as subject to income tax rather than corporate tax, resulting in personal income tax being imposed on the portion that the tax representative had previously reported as corporate income.
Yoo Yeon-seok has always prioritized fulfilling his tax obligations faithfully and will continue to comply with relevant laws and procedures as a responsible citizen.
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
