Im Kwang-hyun, the nominee for Commissioner of the National Tax Service, said on the 15th, "We will innovate the tax audits that have caused inconvenience by having the tax investigation teams stay with corporations for long periods."
On this day, during the confirmation hearing for the National Tax Service Commissioner held at the Strategy and Finance Committee of the National Assembly, Im noted, "We will create a 'warm and efficient National Tax Service' through rational tax administration."
Im said, "In the midst of a complex crisis in the domestic and international economic environment, it is more critical than ever to have 'taxpayer-friendly tax administration' and 'a favorable taxation environment for corporations' to support economic recovery." He added, "During such times, I will be careful to ensure that we do not overlook the fundamental values of taxation fairness and reasonable consideration for taxpayers."
He particularly mentioned, "I have heard the frustrations of corporations regarding the outdated tax audit methods centered on local business trips that have caused inconvenience by having tax investigation teams stay with corporations for long periods. I will innovate this from the taxpayer's perspective." He also said, "I will work harder for the stability of people's livelihoods, such as postponing regular tax audits for small business owners and medium-sized enterprises facing economic difficulties due to temporary financial constraints."
Im stated, "While I have successfully led Korea's export-oriented economy until now, I will be a strong supporter who does not spare any assistance at the tax administration level to export corporations that are suffering due to recent trade issues." He added, "I will strengthen the protection of overseas corporations and actively resolve difficulties such as double taxation problems between countries."
Im emphasized, "It is essential to concentrate tax administration capabilities on areas where tax justice is needed with 'targeted tax administration.'" He further noted, "I will take strong action against malicious and chronic tax evasion and delinquency. I will relentlessly pursue high and habitual delinquents who live luxurious lives with hidden assets, causing relative deprivation to the honest taxpayers."
Additionally, he stated, "We will boldly break from tax verification that focuses solely on detection or punishment," adding, "In cases of delinquency, I will actively provide opportunities for livelihoods for economically struggling delinquents through tax administration, moving away from unilateral coercive collection."
Im also remarked, "The tax administration environment is rapidly changing with the emergence of new technologies such as AI and virtual currencies." He stated, "To overcome the limitations of the electronic tax administration, which has been operated mainly by manpower, we will carry out large-scale investments and bold reforms to achieve an 'AI transformation' in all areas of national tax administration."
As a specific measure, he mentioned, "We will provide free tax consulting services to all citizens using generative AI and dramatically improve filing and payment convenience so that they can find and report optimal tax-saving strategies without the help of tax agents." He also noted, "By teaching AI numerous tax audit cases accumulated over the years, we will enhance the tax evasion detection system to the level where potential evasion points are automatically extracted just by entering basic data such as financial statements."
He said, "If I am given the duty of the Commissioner of the National Tax Service, I will launch 'innovation task forces' in key areas immediately upon taking office to push policies forward with a sense of urgency." He added, "I will devote all my capabilities and passion to further developing the National Tax Service."