서초구 재산세율 인하 조례안 의결 무효확인 청구 사건(대법원 2020추5169)에 관한 소고

Abstract

Seocho-gu Council passed the ordinance bill that reduces the property tax rate on houses under Article 111 Paragraph 3 of the Local Tax Act by applying the so-called flexible tax rate system. The Mayor of Seoul ordered a request for reconsideration, saying that this ordinance bill violates tax legalism because the proposed ordinance bill is to create a new taxation standard section. This ordinance bill was promulgated as it was. Then, the Mayor of Seoul argued that this ordinance bill established a new taxation standard section rather than the 'tax rate', and deviated from the scope of the Local Tax Act. The argument eventually went to the Supreme Court. In principle, Local governments should have an independent financial regime, but because we take the tax legalism that the categories and rates of tax are stipulated by law, the taxation autonomy of local governments are formed and restricted by law. Although limited, the flexible tax rate system gives local governments a certain discretion. In consideration of the purpose of the flexible tax rate system, Article 111 Paragraph 3 of the Local Tax Act should be interpreted in the context of respecting the taxation autonomy of local governments as much as possible. In this case, it would be difficult to regard the above ordinance bill as illegal because it is difficult to say that it deviated from the scope mandated by the Local Tax Act. If the Supreme Court decides that above ordinance bill violates the tax legalism, because the tax standard section is newly established and it deviates from the scope delegated under Article 111 Paragraph 3 of the Local Tax Act, it is believed that the flexible tax rate system under Article 111 Paragraph 3 of the Local Tax Act will result in virtually no effect on the property tax on houses. The research on the justification of Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the Comprehensive Real Estate Tax Act and the activation of the flexible tax rate system will need to be conducted additionally.