Uiwang City Operates Taxpayer Protection Officer System

[Suwon Ilbo=Park Chan-hyuk Reporter] Uiwang City announced on the 20th that it is operating a "local tax taxpayer protection officer system" to protect the rights of citizens facing difficulties in local tax payments and to resolve their grievances.

Uiwang City's local tax taxpayer protection officer is a system in which a dedicated professional tax official is assigned to the Planning and Budget Department to resolve unlawful or unfair dispositions from the taxpayer's perspective, or to provide assistance to taxpayers with grievances related to local taxes.

After an organizational restructuring in February, the city plans to have the taxpayer protection officer take over management of the "designated representative system" currently operated by the Tax Administration Division, which provides free proxy services for local tax objections, and "free tax consultation by village tax accountants." Through this, the city plans to have the taxpayer protection officer handle all grievances and complaints related to tax affairs and local taxes in an integrated manner, thereby providing citizens with more systematic and convenient services.

Additionally, the city is implementing various systems to protect taxpayers' rights, including consultations on local tax grievances, extension of tax audit periods, and deferral of local tax collection, and is promoting various measures to enhance taxpayer convenience, such as identifying local tax refund targets prior to filing complaints.

Kim Sung-je, Mayor of Uiwang City, stated, "Since local taxes are a major source of local government finance, taxpayer rights are more important than ever," and added, "We will take the lead in resolving taxpayer grievances and protecting their rights through active advocacy activities of the taxpayer protection officer."

Meanwhile, taxpayer protection officer consultations are available year-round. Those with grievances related to local taxes or who need consultations regarding designated representatives for local tax objections or village tax accountants can contact the Uiwang City Planning and Budget Department (031-345-2264).