Cha Eun Woo Pays ~$9 Million Tax Bill in Full, Then Files Appeal Calling the Ruling Unjust

Singer-actor Cha Eun Woo has paid roughly 13 billion won (about $9 million) in taxes he was assessed in full, but has filed an appeal with the Tax Tribunal, arguing the ruling itself was unjust.

Cha Eun Woo’s agency Fantagio told The Fact on August 2, “Cha Eun Woo filed for a tax tribunal review through the legal process in order to receive a legal judgment. However, as the process is still ongoing, it’s difficult to share specific details.”

In January of this year, the National Tax Service assessed the tax after determining that the corporation under Cha Eun Woo’s mother — the only entity he’s affiliated with — was a shell company that didn’t actually provide real entertainment-support services.

The additional tax initially notified to Cha Eun Woo reportedly exceeded 20 billion won (about $13.8 million), but after factoring in corporate and value-added taxes already paid, the actual amount due was adjusted to roughly 13 billion won (about $9 million).

Cha Eun Woo then paid the full amount and apologized, saying, “The responsibility lies with me, not my family or the company,” and the situation appeared settled — but with this appeal, it will now be reviewed by law.

An appeal is an administrative review process in which a taxpayer, believing the tax assessment was wrong, requests it be canceled. Separate from having already paid, Cha Eun Woo intends to have the legitimacy of the assessment reviewed once more. If the Tax Tribunal rules in his favor, he could get the taxes he paid refunded.

Meanwhile, Cha Eun Woo is currently serving in the Military Band of the Ministry of National Defense Support Group and is set to be discharged on January 27, 2027.

Source: (A)