• Sweden edition

Tax agency targets Chinese pop star

Published: 30 Jun 09 11:16 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20366/20090630/

Chinese pop music star and Stockholm resident Wei Wei has been targeted by Swedish tax authorities, who recently attempted to freeze 50 million kronor ($6.5 million) of the singer’s assets.

According to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), Wei Wei has neglected to pay income taxes on money earned from concert tours throughout her homeland, where she is one of the country’s biggest stars.

The agency estimated that Wei Wei earned around 29 million kronor per year between 2004 and 2008 – income which was never reported to Swedish tax authorities.

As a result, the agency argued, it was justified in requesting that Wei Wei’s assets be frozen until her tax debts in Sweden are paid.

But the County Administrative Court (Länsrätten) has rejected the Tax Agency’s request, citing the fact that its estimates were based on “information from the internet and the media, including interviews with Wei Wei as well as conversations the Tax Agency had with people who are long-time residents of China”.

While the court agreed that it was “probable” that Wei Wei had indeed earned money that ought to be taxed in Sweden, it ultimately ruled that the tax agency had failed to provide “enough concrete evidence” to back their claims about Wei Wei’s earnings.

David Landes (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6513)

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12:33 June 30, 2009 by Bishop Conkers
Wee wee...... ha ha ha ha.....
16:52 June 30, 2009 by hondaicivic
It's pronounced "Way Way" you idiot. Go take some Mandarin lessons.
18:46 June 30, 2009 by Paulo +fab muscular than Jonnhy
She is clearly a dumb singer. She SHOULD have chosen Monte Carlo as her official residency. :-)
19:56 June 30, 2009 by Greg in Canada
Sounds like she needs a better accountant.
21:05 June 30, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
Maybe she got confused between Sweden and Switzerland ;)
17:15 July 3, 2009 by Loreta
This woman is mean and greedy! She doesn't have any respect for any institution in Sweden: Tax Department, Higher Courts, Social Department and even Police! :(
03:53 July 6, 2009 by xiaole
As a Chinese, I think she didn't pay any tax in China too.
04:33 July 6, 2009 by Muttlestar Galactica
Maybe she should get Vivibear to pen some chart topping lyrics for her...
04:35 July 6, 2009 by Bender B Rodriquez
You have to click the link to see that the tax agency lost...
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