Seoul's Gangseo-gu uses its district mascot Sinsaerom to explain local taxes, refunds and delinquency management across three episodes
"Can taxes really be this fun?"
Gangseo-gu in Seoul has launched a webtoon series to make the often confusing world of taxes easier for residents to understand.
The district office rolled out the series featuring its official mascot character Sinsaerom as part of a broader push to communicate local tax information in an accessible and engaging way.
The district released three episodes of the "Puzzling Local Taxes" webtoon series between June and September. The project was conceived after officials found that existing text-heavy notices were failing to reach residents effectively, despite a high volume of tax-related inquiries at the district office.
The first episode, "The Great Local Tax Chaos," addressed one of the most common sources of confusion: residents visiting the district office with questions that actually fall under national taxes. The episode explains the difference between national taxes — such as income tax and value-added tax — and local taxes, and introduces representative local levies including automobile tax, property tax and resident tax.
The second episode, "A Refund Notice? It's Not a Scam," tackled the misunderstandings that arise when the district sends out local tax refund notifications. Because many residents suspected the messages were voice phishing attempts, the episode walks through how to check and apply for a refund, helping residents claim what they are owed without worry.
The third episode focused on the district's newly launched delinquency management team, introduced this year. Starting from the perspective of a resident anxious about forced collection, the episode shows team members listening to the circumstances of those with unpaid taxes and guiding them through available payment options — conveying the message that the program is about understanding taxpayers' difficulties, not simply collecting overdue bills.
The delinquency management team, which runs through November, provides payment guidance to residents with small outstanding balances and connects those unable to pay with tailored welfare services.
All three episodes are freely available on the district's official website and blog.
A satisfaction survey conducted after the webtoons were published showed residents wanted tax terminology explained in even simpler language. In response, the district plans to produce additional informational materials in November and continue its efforts to communicate local tax information at a level accessible to all residents.
"The webtoons, which grew out of recurring resident inquiries, have proven to be an effective tool for publicizing new programs as well," Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "We will keep listening to what residents want to know and pursue tax administration that communicates through tailored outreach."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
