Im Gwang-hyun: "Reviewing NTS Tax Crime Investigation Authority by Weighing Corporate Burden and Practical Benefits"

National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Im Gwang-hyun pushed back against opposition lawmakers' criticism on the 13th that tax audits are being conducted under presidential directives, stating, "We are proceeding cautiously, with utmost restraint, and in accordance with principles."

Commissioner Im gave the response during the parliamentary audit of the NTS by the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Committee when People Power Party Lawmaker Ahn Sang-hoon pointed out that "it repeatedly happens that the president singles out specific companies and the NTS conducts tax audits as if waiting for the order."

Emphasizing that they are proceeding cautiously with utmost restraint and adherence to principles, he added, "Whether pointed out by the president, the National Assembly, or the media, if we determine that it is our inherent duty that needs to be carried out in connection with our work, we conduct [audits]."

In response to a remark by the same party's Lawmaker Yoon Young-seok, who suggested there are suspicions of political directives from the president regarding the tax audits on Coupang and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Im stressed, "In tax administration, we are being neutral more than ever and diligently performing the duties that we are supposed to carry out."

When People Power Party Lawmaker Lee Jong-wook pointed out that tax audits aimed at stabilizing prices are inappropriate, Commissioner Im explained, "We cannot conduct tax audits simply because prices were raised," adding, "We conduct investigations strictly in cases where excessive profits were reaped and there are suspicions of tax evasion."

Regarding the selection of targets for tax audits, Commissioner Im stated, "There is a perspective that connects these to politics while reading news articles, and there is a sense of unfairness about that," noting, "The number of irregular [audit] cases this year will decrease significantly compared to last year."

He elaborated, "However, we are holding press briefings on [tax audits] rather frequently, and the reason for that is to create a preventive effect," explaining, "It is with the intention of signaling that 'the National Tax Service is looking into these areas right now, so please be careful with these matters when filing your returns in the future to avoid disadvantages.'"

In response to an inquiry from independent Lawmaker Lee Choon-seok asking whether the NTS should utilize its expertise and experience to conduct tax crime investigations in line with the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office and the reorganization of the investigation-indictment system, Commissioner Im replied, "We will carefully review the matter by weighing the practical benefits of preventing tax evasion against the burden that businesses would face."

When Democratic Party Lawmaker Moon Jin-seok pointed out that the proliferation of tax platforms is encouraging "tax evasion" rather than "tax saving," Commissioner Im stated, "We are discussing measures to strengthen the responsibilities of tax accountants with the Ministry of Economy and Finance."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.