Auto Critic Chen Zhen Fined $350K for Tax Evasion, Returns to Multiple Platforms

On June 22, 2025, automotive reviewer Chen Zhen (known online as “Chen Zhen Tongxue”) resumed posting updates on Weibo and other platforms, following a suspension of his accounts across multiple social media platforms due to tax evasion issues. Late on December 4, 2024, his accounts on Weibo, Douyin, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and other platforms were simultaneously silenced, with platforms citing reasons such as “violation of relevant laws and regulations” or “breach of community guidelines.” The next day, the Third Inspection Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Taxation Bureau under the State Taxation Administration announced that its investigation found Chen Zhen had evaded RMB 1.1867 million in individual income tax between 2021 and 2023 by concealing income, misclassifying income types, and filing false tax returns. In November 2025, tax authorities issued a formal decision requiring him to pay back taxes, late fees, and fines totaling RMB 2.4748 million, all of which have since been fully paid into the treasury. The investigation revealed that during this period, Chen Zhen declared annual comprehensive income of just over RMB 1 million—significantly inconsistent with his substantial online influence. After examining his bank statements and third-party payment platform transaction records, inspectors discovered he had failed to declare RMB 1.5725 million in advertising and service income received from a video platform. Additionally, in 2022, Chen established a personal cultural creativity studio registered as an individual business household to report business operation income. However, the studio had no actual business premises or employees, effectively serving as a vehicle to reclassify labor income as business income to reduce his tax burden. Faced with a complete chain of evidence, Chen admitted to the violations and cooperated by providing transaction records. On December 22, 2024, rumors circulated that some of his accounts had been reinstated, but Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, and Weibo all issued statements clarifying that his accounts remained suspended or banned. By June 22, 2025, however, Chen’s Weibo account had posted three consecutive updates, one of which read, “Another step forward—thank you all!” As of now, Chen has 10.059 million followers on Weibo, 9.786 million on Douyin, and 708,000 on Xiaohongshu. Public records show that Chen previously worked as a host for Autohome and is known for programs such as *Off-Road Roadbook*, *Chen’s Commentary*, and *Radish Lab*. In 2006, he was administratively detained for seven days for street racing on Beijing’s Second Ring Road, earning him the nickname “Thirteen-Lap Prince of the Second Ring.” In 2019, he publicly stated, “Tax evasion is the most disgraceful crime,” emphasizing that paying taxes in accordance with the law is a civic duty.