[theqoo] [EXCLUSIVE] CHA EUNWOO, FACING 20 B WON TAX EVASION ALLEGATIONS, HIRES MAJOR LAW FIRM... PREPARES FULL-SCALE COUNTERATTACK

Astro member and actor Cha Eunwoo (Lee Dong-min, 29), facing tax evasion allegations and ordered by the National Tax Service to pay over 20 billion won in back taxes, has recently hired a major law firm.

According to a Sports Seoul News investigation on the 26th, Cha Eunwoo has hired the major law firm Sejong and is preparing legal procedures against the National Tax Service's tax assessment. Sejong previously handled the exclusive contract termination lawsuit for the group NewJeans.

The Seoul Regional Tax Office's Investigation Division 4 conducted an intensive investigation last year into allegations that Cha Eunwoo evaded taxes through a one-person agency established by his mother. They subsequently notified him of an additional income tax assessment in the 20 billion won range. This is the largest tax assessment ever imposed on a celebrity.

Cha Eunwoo had been working under a service contract arrangement where his agency, Fantagio, and the corporation established by his mother provided support services for his entertainment activities. The income Cha Eunwoo earned was divided equally among Fantagio, his mother's corporation, and Cha Eunwoo himself. The National Tax Service determined that the corporation established by Cha Eunwoo's mother, despite having a service contract, was essentially a paper company that did not actually provide services to Fantagio or Cha Eunwoo. It was seen that Cha Eunwoo and his mother established the corporation to reduce their personal income tax, which would have reached 45%, by distributing income and applying the corporate tax rate, which is 20 percentage points lower than the personal income tax rate.

Cha Eunwoo's side has filed a tax assessment review (a pre-assessment remedy procedure where the taxpayer reviews the legality of the notice and requests correction) contesting this. His agency, Fantagio, also stated, “The key issue in this case is whether the corporation established by Cha Eunwoo's mother is a substantive taxable entity,” adding, “This matter has not yet been finally determined and notified. We plan to actively present our case regarding issues related to legal interpretation and application through proper procedures.”

Cha Eunwoo, who stated he would “actively present his case through legal procedures,” has retained a major law firm for legal assistance. He is expected to focus on demonstrating that the corporation established by his mother is not a paper company but an entity that actually provided services.

original post: here

1. I hope they give him a severe punishment as an example for others

2. ...? He didn't do anything right in this so why does he feel unfairly treated?

3. Lock him up

4. I don't think it will be easy for him to refute this

5. It's quite difficult to win a tax evasion case. He should just pay his taxes quickly

6. Does he think that he did anything good to threaten legal counterattack like this?

7. Just pay...

8. He should just apologizeㅜㅜ

9. Wouldn't this be all over if he just pays? He wouldn't even need lawyers

10. He's money hungry. I hope he doesn't stand in front of the public anymore

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