“Property Tax Fluctuations” Concluded for the Moment

Regarding the measures made by some districts to retroact reductions of property taxes, Seoul City has decided not to file a lawsuit against these districts.

Accordingly, the “property tax fluctuations,” which have been carrying on for four consecutive months, have concluded for the moment for the 17 self-governing districts to reduce property taxes.

Seoul’s Yangcheon-gu, Seongdong-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yongsan-gu and Dongdaemun-gu, which have already recognized the retroaction of the property tax reductions, will refund the reduced portions back to the citizens.

Regarding the October 15 deadline to file a constitutional lawsuit against Yangcheon-gu to the Supreme Court, regarding the region’s decision of a 20 percent tax reduction last month, the city of Seoul made its final decision not to take the case to court.

Lee Sang-ha, chief of Seoul city’s tax bureau, said, “After forming a consensus from legal circles and tax affairs specialists, we have decided not to file a lawsuit and to follow the district’s decision since the district itself is in charge of the property tax.”

Tae-Hun Hwang beetlez@donga.com