Cheonan City, South Korea – Cheonan City has announced a robust initiative to aggressively pursue the collection of outstanding local taxes during the first half of this year, setting a clear objective to not only meet but exceed its fiscal targets. The city's commitment to securing stable public finances is underscored by the establishment and active deployment of a specialized 'High-Value Tax Delinquency Collection Team,' which will prioritize on-the-ground enforcement.
The municipality revealed on April 30th that it has already achieved a significant milestone, successfully collecting approximately 13.7 billion Korean won (KRW) by the end of April. This represents about 61% of its total annual tax revenue goal of 22.3 billion KRW. Building on this momentum, Cheonan City aims to intensify its collection efforts throughout the designated intensive 정리 period, which extends until June, with the ambition of surpassing its initial target.
A key component of this intensified strategy is the operation of the 'Special High-Value Tax Delinquency Collection Team.' This dedicated unit will concentrate on investigating the concealed assets of individuals and entities with substantial and persistent tax arrears. Their methods will include conducting thorough investigations, executing house searches when necessary to seize movable assets, and undertaking extensive collection activities that extend beyond Cheonan's administrative boundaries. This multi-faceted approach underscores the city's determination to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of outstanding payments.
Furthermore, Cheonan City is committed to leveraging stringent administrative measures to expedite the recovery of delinquent taxes. This includes the swift initiation of seizure procedures targeting various forms of assets, such as real estate holdings, virtual currencies, and financial deposits. The city also intends to escalate punitive actions against recalcitrant tax evaders through the public disclosure of their identities and the imposition of travel bans, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards tax delinquency.
In a move to enhance communication and compliance, Cheonan City will actively utilize the KakaoTalk notification service. Initially employed for payment reminders, this service will be expanded to include the issuance of pre-seizure notices. By proactively informing taxpayers of impending actions, the city hopes to encourage prompt payment and ultimately improve the overall tax collection rate.
Recognizing the diverse circumstances of taxpayers, Cheonan City will also implement a system for conducting thorough fact-finding surveys on tax delinquents. This initiative aims to identify vulnerable individuals and families facing genuine financial hardship. In such cases, the city will facilitate connections with relevant social welfare departments to ensure that those in need receive appropriate support and assistance, demonstrating a commitment to both fiscal responsibility and social welfare.
Kim Mi-young, the Head of Cheonan City's Tax Collection Division, emphasized the city's unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of responsible tax payment and ensuring fairness within the tax system. "We will vigorously pursue collection activities against high-value tax delinquents to promote a sense of faithful tax payment and establish fair taxation," stated Kim. "Through the effective operation of this intensive 정리 period, we will dedicate our full efforts to securing stable public finances, which are essential for the continued development and well-being of our city."
This comprehensive strategy adopted by Cheonan City reflects a proactive and determined approach to managing local finances. By combining assertive enforcement measures with a consideration for vulnerable taxpayers, the city aims to strengthen its fiscal foundation and ensure the equitable contribution of all residents and businesses to the local economy. The results of this intensified collection period will be closely monitored as Cheonan strives to achieve its financial goals for the first half of 2025 and beyond.
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