Song Zu'er suspected of tax evasion? Real scandal or fabricated rumor?
[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
Recently, actor Song Zuer was reported for tax evasion, sparking widespread attention online and quickly topping the trending list.
[1] Image source from the internet; if infringement occurs, please delete!
Case review
According to online rumors, actor Song Zuer was reported by a former employee of her company for tax issues involving an amount of 45 million yuan. The爆料 claims that Song Zuer has been taken in for questioning, and that her tax avoidance methods included splitting contracts and using personal accounts to receive payments. It is also alleged that she canceled three companies to deal with remuneration issues and then used a studio's name to take on roles, thereby changing the nature of the income source.
A screenshot circulating online shows someone reporting actor Song Zuer for suspected tax evasion on the tax authority's website. It is understood that Song Zuer, whose real name is Sun Fanqing, is currently employed at Shanghai Hongquan Film and Television Culture Company. The tax officer from the Shanghai Songjiang Tax Bureau responsible for this enterprise told Red Star News that they have not yet received any tax-related complaint work order concerning Song Zuer's company.
At noon on August 31, Song Zu'er's former agency, Xitian Film and Television, issued a statement stating that the agency contract with Song Zu'er expired on November 28, 2022. Since October 2020, Song Zu'er and her family have taken all financial materials and managed them independently, and have not participated in related financial accounting and tax filing since then. The statement also said that after investigation, no internal employee was found to have reported Song Zu'er for suspected tax evasion.
The Tax Collection and Administration Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 63
A taxpayer who forges, alters, conceals, or unauthorizedly destroys account books or vouchers, overstates expenses or understates or omits income in account books, refuses to declare after being notified by tax authorities, or makes false tax declarations, resulting in failure to pay or underpayment of tax payable, constitutes tax evasion. For a taxpayer who evades tax, the tax authorities shall recover the unpaid or underpaid tax and late payment fees, and impose a fine of not less than 50 percent but not more than five times the amount of unpaid or underpaid tax; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Where a withholding agent adopts the means specified in the preceding paragraph to fail to pay or underpay the taxes that have been withheld or collected, the tax authorities shall recover the unpaid or underpaid taxes and late payment surcharges, and impose a fine of not less than 50% but not more than five times the amount of unpaid or underpaid taxes; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
[1] The author's perspective
In recent years, more and more artists have been exposed for tax evasion. Artists themselves serve as role models, and with high incomes, they often attract more attention. Moreover, even moderately famous artists now have bright futures, but they only focus on immediate gains, forgetting that paying taxes in full is a duty of every citizen. According to the above legal provisions, if someone refuses to pay after being urged, it may involve criminal offenses. Thus, regardless of identity or occupation, no one should evade taxes; otherwise, they not only ruin their own future but may also end up in prison.
On the other hand, the authenticity of this matter has not yet been confirmed. If it is proven to be fabricated, the rumor-monger will also face corresponding punishment, after all, the internet is not a lawless place.
According to online rumors, actor Song Zuer was reported by a former employee of her company for tax issues involving an amount of 45 million yuan. The爆料 claims that Song Zuer has been taken in for questioning, and that her tax avoidance methods included splitting contracts and using personal accounts to receive payments. It is also alleged that she canceled three companies to deal with remuneration issues and then used a studio's name to take on roles, thereby changing the nature of the income source.
A screenshot circulating online shows someone reporting actor Song Zuer for suspected tax evasion on the tax authority's website. It is understood that Song Zuer, whose real name is Sun Fanqing, is currently employed at Shanghai Hongquan Film and Television Culture Company. The tax officer from the Shanghai Songjiang Tax Bureau responsible for this enterprise told Red Star News that they have not yet received any tax-related complaint work order concerning Song Zuer's company.
At noon on August 31, Song Zu'er's former agency, Xitian Film and Television, issued a statement stating that the agency contract with Song Zu'er expired on November 28, 2022. Since October 2020, Song Zu'er and her family have taken all financial materials and managed them independently, and have not participated in related financial accounting and tax filing since then. The statement also said that after investigation, no internal employee was found to have reported Song Zu'er for suspected tax evasion.
The Tax Collection and Administration Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 63
A taxpayer who forges, alters, conceals, or unauthorizedly destroys account books or vouchers, overstates expenses or understates or omits income in account books, refuses to declare after being notified by tax authorities, or makes false tax declarations, resulting in failure to pay or underpayment of tax payable, constitutes tax evasion. For a taxpayer who evades tax, the tax authorities shall recover the unpaid or underpaid tax and late payment fees, and impose a fine of not less than 50 percent but not more than five times the amount of unpaid or underpaid tax; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
Where a withholding agent adopts the means specified in the preceding paragraph to fail to pay or underpay the taxes that have been withheld or collected, the tax authorities shall recover the unpaid or underpaid taxes and late payment surcharges, and impose a fine of not less than 50% but not more than five times the amount of unpaid or underpaid taxes; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.
[1] The author's perspective
In recent years, more and more artists have been exposed for tax evasion. Artists themselves serve as role models, and with high incomes, they often attract more attention. Moreover, even moderately famous artists now have bright futures, but they only focus on immediate gains, forgetting that paying taxes in full is a duty of every citizen. According to the above legal provisions, if someone refuses to pay after being urged, it may involve criminal offenses. Thus, regardless of identity or occupation, no one should evade taxes; otherwise, they not only ruin their own future but may also end up in prison.
On the other hand, the authenticity of this matter has not yet been confirmed. If it is proven to be fabricated, the rumor-monger will also face corresponding punishment, after all, the internet is not a lawless place.
