Overview
- Cha Eun‑woo submitted a petition for tax adjudication to the Tax Tribunal in early July to challenge the NTS assessment, Fantagio confirmed on August 2.
- He paid about 13 billion won in April and issued a public apology at the time, saying he respected the tax process and had fully paid the demanded sum.
- The NTS originally assessed more than 20 billion won before adjustments lowered the bill to roughly 13 billion won after double‑taxation and other changes.
- The NTS probe focused on income routed through a one‑person agency registered under his mother’s name that authorities said functioned as a paper company.
- By paying first and then appealing, Cha preserved his right to seek a refund if the tribunal cancels the assessment and avoided daily late‑payment penalties while the tribunal’s multi‑month review proceeds; comparable cases have taken roughly a year so a final decision is likely after his discharge and could be followed by an administrative lawsuit if the appeal is rejected.