The National Tax Service will expand the appraisal targets for luxury real estate with significant discrepancies between the reported value and the market value, a program that began last year. It will also strengthen verification of vulnerable segments, such as those unfairly receiving research and development tax credits or applying for discounts through disguised business sites. To stimulate tax evasion reporting, the budget for reward money will be increased, and a revision of tax laws will be pursued to allow employees involved in collection duties to receive bonuses for clear achievements.
The National Tax Service announced its '2025 National Tax Administration Operation Plan' during a nationwide tax office heads meeting held at the National Tax Service building in Sejong City on the 22nd.
The National Tax Service foresees significant uncertainty this year due to shifts in the trade policies of major countries like the United States and delays in domestic improvement resulting from consumer recession, and plans to increase tax administrative support for export and overseas corporations. Additionally, it plans to implement scientific taxation integrated with system innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance taxpayer convenience.
In particular, it has set a goal to develop and provide a simplified income tax refund service that is more straightforward and convenient than the recently surged private platforms, while also bearing no commission fees. Furthermore, it plans to expand the AI consulting service, which was piloted last year in the income tax sector, to key tax items and nationwide tax offices. The home tax system will also provide personalized screens and menus tailored to taxpayer characteristics.
To secure tax revenue, it will expand appraisals for high-value real estate and continue efforts to enhance the tax base by blocking simplified data for dependents exceeding income thresholds when providing year-end settlement data.
This year's tax audits will maintain a level comparable to previous years, taking internal and external conditions into account, but will be managed flexibly depending on the available manpower. It will reflect 'selection and concentration' in tax audits by reducing audits with minimal practical benefit.
A National Tax Service official noted that they will respond rigorously and persistently to actions that harm the daily lives of ordinary people and the market order until appropriate accountability is established, stating that 'we will significantly improve the fairness and objectivity of investigations by incorporating AI and big data into the selection process.'
Kang Min-soo, Commissioner of the National Tax Service, said, 'With a heavy sense of responsibility for the consecutive tax revenue shortfalls, we must execute tax laws fairly and work diligently to secure national resources without wavering.' He added, 'This year, we will continuously strive for work efficiency and improvements to the working environment so that the National Tax Service can be recognized by the public as an agency that gets the job done well.'