Actor Yoo Yeon-seok (real name Ahn Yeon-seok) has responded to allegations of tax evasion, clarifying that there was no intentional omission of taxes and that he will actively provide explanations.
💰 Tax Discrepancy Explained
- The National Tax Service (NTS) recently notified Yoo Yeon-seok of a ₩7 billion ($5.3M) tax charge regarding Forever Entertainment, a company he established.
- The NTS determined that there were tax filing issues related to the business.
- King Kong by Starship, Yoo's agency, stated,
- 👉 "This is not a finalized charge, but rather a difference in interpretation regarding tax law."
📊 Corporate vs. Personal Income Debate
- Yoo reported his earnings as business revenue, while the NTS classified them as personal income.
- His agency explained,
- 👉 "The NTS reassessed five years of his income and concluded that he should have paid income tax rather than corporate tax."
- A formal appeal was filed in January to contest the ruling.
🛑 Dispute Under Review
- The NTS has yet to finalize the case, and Yoo's legal team expects the tax amount to be reduced to around ₩3 billion ($2.3M).
- His agency emphasized,
- 👉 "Yoo Yeon-seok has always fulfilled his tax obligations and will continue to comply with all legal procedures."
🏢 Forever Entertainment & Business Ventures
- Founded in 2015, Yoo's company focuses on YouTube content, side businesses, and the restaurant industry.
- It has also engaged in music production, event planning, equipment rentals, e-commerce, and fashion retail.
⚖️ Not the First Celebrity Tax Case
- Previously, actress Honey Lee faced a ₩6 billion ($4.5M) tax dispute related to her entertainment company, Hope Project.
- Like Yoo, she denied any intentional wrongdoing.
