Beijing: Artist Weiwei Owes $1.8M in Taxes

He cannot speak publicly, but his family denies it
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 28, 2011 11:49 AM CDT
Ai Weiwei Tax Evasion: Chinese Government Seeks $1.8 Million in Back Taxes
In this Thursday, June 23, 2011 file photo, artist Ai Weiwei opens the gate outside his home in Beijing, China.   (Ng Han Guan)

Beijing tax authorities are seeking nearly $2 million in back taxes and fines from outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was released last week from nearly three months in detention. Before his release, Ai confessed to tax evasion and pledged to repay the money owed, Chinese authorities said. Ai is barred from speaking publicly, but friends and family say the tax charges are just a ruse to keep him under wraps.

The Beijing Local Taxation Bureau informed Ai that he owed around $770,000 in unpaid taxes and would be fined about $1.1 million—totaling just over $1.85 million, said a Beijing human rights lawyer. Ai's mother, Gao Ying, said two tax bureau officials delivered the notice to Ai yesterday and asked him to sign it in acknowledgement, but he refused. He might just have the money: Ai, who has shown his work in London, New York and Berlin, has earned huge sums selling his work at auctions and through galleries. (More Ai Weiwei stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X