WILLEMSTAD - In the short and long term, steps need to be taken to improve the performance of the tax administration. This is apparent from the results of the quick scan of the tax authorities. Finance Minister Javier Silvania and cabinet employee John de Lannoy explained the results in a press conference.
Silvania states that the quick scan was carried out to improve the tax authorities. "In the coming period, hard work will be done on a better tax administration. Nothing will be hidden," said the minister.
“Over the years, a gap has developed between the tax authorities and taxpayers,” says De Lannoy. “There is no integrated management, and the policy is still based on an old system.” According to the cabinet employee, sufficient data is available, but it is not used. The customer service also leaves a lot to be desired.
De Lannoy explains that an evaluation was done in November and December based on TADAT, measuring the performance of nine points. A score is then given based on the American ABCDE system. De Lannoy emphasizes that no tax authorities score an A.
The evaluation shows that the tax authorities do not work proactively regarding the timely submission of returns. Despite the fact that declarations can be made online, there are large backlogs. With regard to accountability and transparency, the tax authorities will have to publish an annual report each year.
The quick scan concludes that steps need to be taken in the short and long term. “In the coming week, the ministry will use the report to change the tax authorities,” says De Lannoy. According to the cabinet employee, the first visible improvement will be seen in customer service.