Cha Eun Woo is facing scrutiny over a tax controversy—but a legal expert says his recent payment was made exactly as required, not late.
On April 9th, attorney and certified public accountant Kim Myung Kyu addressed the issue on social media, clarifying that the amount paid was not a standard tax bill but a confirmed surcharge of 13 billion KRW (approx. 8.8 million USD). “It wasn’t a delayed payment,” he said. “It was carried out according to the proper timeline and procedures.”
According to Kim, Cha Eun Woo had been undergoing a pre-assessment review with the National Tax Service—a process that evaluates whether a tax claim is valid before an official notice is issued. Once the surcharge was finalized and formally notified, he paid the full amount.
Kim added that in such cases, failing to pay after receiving the official notice would trigger daily penalties. “The standard approach is to pay first to avoid additional charges, then continue disputing the case through tax appeals or administrative litigation,” he explained, noting this is common practice—not a workaround.
The controversy first surfaced in January, when reports claimed Cha Eun Woo had been hit with a tax reassessment exceeding 20 billion KRW following an investigation. Authorities reportedly questioned income distribution through a one-person agency established by his mother, suspecting it functioned as a paper company.
On April 8th, Cha Eun Woo addressed the situation directly, saying he respected the authorities’ process and had fully paid the amount to prevent further confusion. He also acknowledged shortcomings in how the company was set up, adding that the responsibility lies with him—not his family or agency—and pledged to be more careful moving forward.
His agency Fantagio added that part of the amount may be adjusted through a refund process, with the final financial burden expected to be around 13 billion KRW.
>> Chaebol Heiress Shows Support for Cha Eun Woo Amid Multi-Million Dollar Tax Scandal
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
Source (1)
