Cha Eun-woo, who apologized after paying 13 billion won in taxes, has now filed a challenge against the National Tax Service

[Financial News] Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo (29, real name Lee Dong-min) has been confirmed to have filed a tax appeal against the tax assessment after paying in full about 13 billion won in additional taxes imposed by the National Tax Service.
On the 2nd, Cha Eun-woo's agency Fantagio said, "Cha Eun-woo filed a tax appeal in accordance with the procedures set by law in order to receive a legal ruling," adding, "As the matter is still under review, we ask for your understanding that we cannot provide specific details."
The case began with an income distribution structure involving a one-man agency established by Cha Eun-woo under his mother's name. The National Tax Service judged the company to be a kind of paper company that had been operated without providing any real services, and after a high-intensity tax audit, it issued a notice in January demanding more than 20 billion won in income tax.
Cha Eun-woo's side objected and requested a pre-assessment review, but it was rejected. However, some duplicate taxation items were acknowledged during the investigation and adjustment process, reducing the final assessment to about 13 billion won.
In April, Cha Eun-woo said on his social networking service (SNS), "I respected the procedures and results of the National Tax Service and paid all related taxes so that no further confusion would continue," and paid the full 13 billion won.
Tax and legal experts interpret Cha Eun-woo's move to file a tax appeal after paying the full amount as a standard challenge procedure.
A tax appeal is an administrative review process in which the Tax Tribunal determines whether a tax assessment by the National Tax Service is illegal or unjust. It must be filed within 90 days from the date the tax notice is received. Cha Eun-woo also submitted his appeal within the legal deadline.
Experts say Cha Eun-woo did not pay the tax because he fully agreed with the assessment. Rather, he appears to have paid first to avoid the burden of late-payment penalty tax and then continued the legal dispute. Since failing to pay taxes on time can lead to enormous annual penalties, paying first and then pursuing an administrative appeal or administrative lawsuit is a common response among high-value taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo, who enlisted as an active-duty soldier in July last year and is currently serving in the military band, is scheduled to be discharged in January 2027.
[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter