Gyeonggi Province Conducts Bank Check Tracking Investigation on High-Value Tax Delinquents Over 10 Million Won Across 17 Primary Financial Institutions

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Noh-hoon] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 10th that it will conduct bank check tracking investigations on high-value tax delinquents over 10 million won to eradicate the misuse of checks as a means of tax delinquency.

The province previously conducted the nation's first investigation in November of last year, targeting 28,162 high-value delinquents with local taxes exceeding 10 million won, examining the status of unused checks issued by two banks—Shinhan Bank and NH Nonghyup—resulting in the collection of 180 million won in delinquent taxes and the seizure of 7 luxury watches from 12 delinquents.

This time, the investigation will expand to 17 primary financial institutions for high-value delinquents selected in November of last year.

Excluding corporations and persons of unknown whereabouts, the province plans to conduct home searches and seizure operations in addition to investigations into unused check records for delinquents with estimated assets.

According to cases detected last year, delinquent taxpayer A from Namyangju has been delinquent on local taxes of 26 million won since 2017 despite repeated payment notices. A home search revealed that Piaget and Rolex watches were being stored, leading to seizure measures.

Delinquent taxpayer B, who resided in Goyang, had been delinquent on 120 million won in local taxes while living in a high-end apartment. When the home search began, B paid 40 million won in cash on the spot and promised full payment of the remaining delinquency by securing a tax payment guarantor. Delinquent taxpayer C, who owed 12 million won in local taxes, paid the full amount immediately at the scene of the home search.

The province plans to take follow-up measures including criminal prosecution of delinquents and those who aided them if it is determined that the offense of tax collection evasion is established under the provisions of the 'Local Tax Collection Act' and 'Civil Code' when tax payment evasion is confirmed.

Kim Min-kyung, director of the Tax Justice Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, “While there are special circumstances due to COVID-19, we plan to respond strongly to delinquents who exploit faithful taxpayers, including conducting home searches. We will do our utmost to realize fair taxation by mobilizing all available procedures for tax justice.”