We started in December with an information campaign aimed at all citizens of Lazio: if you pay your car tax at the bank, the Region will give you a 10 percent discount on the amount to be paid. The aim of this initiative is clear, especially if one looks at the figures: to reduce the uncertainty of the timing of tax collection from regional treasuries and, at the same time, to meet the needs of families who, often – on average one in 3 cases – later find the tax in their tax office folder.
PICTURE
In the last three years, car taxes in Lazio generated an average of more than 871 million euros in revenue: 868 million in 2022 and 2023 and 877 million last year. But theoretical income: in 2022 and 2023 only one in 3 residents (34%) will pay taxes according to the set deadline, resulting in regional treasury revenues of 270 million in 2022, 277 in 2023, and 287 in 2024. Another 28% pay taxes after the deadline but before the arrival of the friendly notice, so that the regional treasurer can collect 217 million in taxes. 2022, 220 in 2023 and 164 in 2024. However, these figures include late payment penalties and interest that must be calculated: penalties and interest of more than 6.5 million for 2022; 8.8 in 2023 for 2023 and another 4.4 million fine plus interest in 2024.
Therefore, in total, 62% of the population in Lazio paid dues (more or less) “spontaneously” without having to send a friendly notification to the Region.
However, a useful notice for the other 10% of the population who forget to pay taxes and only pay them later. And there are 72% of residents who pay before the stamp duty becomes a tax bill. But in fact, there was more than one resident in Lazio in year 4 who ended up paying the tax when it was included in the tax bill issued by the revenue agency. And here the accounts start to weigh more: in 2022 the tax bill exceeds 307 million euros, of which 231 million (75%) is actual tax and the rest is fines (70 million, 23%) and 6.2 million interest (2%). In 2023, the tax bill issued by the Revenue Agency will be close to 298 million euros with almost 225 million in taxes (76%), 67 in fines (22%) and 6 million in interest (2%).
In short, in the end the tax is paid: the difference is that paying it later involves an increase of almost a third in the amount of penalties and interest. Therefore, based on the provisions of the national reform regarding regional and local taxes as well as regional fiscal federalism, the provision of tax reduction for taxpayers who comply with bank debits makes it possible to promote new relations between the Government and citizens, with a view to mutual justice and reduction of obligations. The benefits are for both. Regions collect their resources in an orderly and rational manner, without requiring additional communication activities with Taxpayers and cooperation with collection agents; citizens, for their cooperation, were given tax deductions.
«LET’S SIMPLIFY»
Member of the Budget Committee of the Rocca Council, Giancarlo Righini, explained: «This is an action that goes in two directions: on the one hand we simplify the lives of taxpayers, avoiding forgetfulness and delays in payments; on the other hand, we encourage a more modern and efficient relationship between communities and local governments, encouraging the use of automated and traceable payment tools. The domiciliation option represents a real opportunity to save for families and businesses in our region, in a still complex economic context, where any intervention to ease the tax burden can make a difference. The 10% discount rewards the good behavior of parties who decide to comply quickly and continuously, while reducing administrative costs related to tax management and eradicating the phenomenon of tax avoidance. As the Budget Department, we have the task of combining responsibility for the public accounts and real attention to the needs of citizens: this intervention goes precisely in this direction and represents a further step in the process of modernization of local taxes that we are working towards”.
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