Popular singer accused of dodging taxes

By Kim Jae-won

Singer Insooni was allegedly slapped with hundreds of millions won in back taxes in 2008 for not reporting nearly a billion won in income, it was reported Monday.

According to multiple reports, the National Tax Service (NTS) imposed hundreds of millions of won in back taxes on the veteran female singer three years ago after finding hidden income the celebrity did not report.

The NTS did not confirm the report saying taxpayers’ information is protected by law. But, the agency said that the entire amount of under-reported income would be close to a billion won if she was hit with hundreds of millions of won in back taxes.

The NTS imposes up to 35 percent in such taxes. So, if she paid 500 million won in back taxes, the hidden amount of income would surpass 1 billion won.

The revelation comes after several tax evasion cases by Korean celebrities, such as popular comedian and TV show host Kang Ho-dong and actress Kim Ah-joong, who were levied with hundreds of millions of won in back taxes earlier this year, were made public.

Kang announced that he will not host his shows for an indefinite period, while Kim has kept silent since then.

Blue Sky, an agency for Insooni, reportedly admitted the tax evasion, and said that she has paid the back taxes but has not released any official comment yet. G&G Production, a former agency of Insooni did not respond to repeated calls from The Korea Times.

Analysts say that tax authorities are targeting at high-income professionals, such as lawyers and medical doctors; and celebrities are not an exception. The NTS imposed 153.4 billion won in back taxes on 274 professionals this year for under-reporting their income or using borrowed names.