Years of checks and tarseness, of being afraid when faced with the possible purchase of a boat for fear of tax audits, accountants even discouraging their clients and possible owners for fear of getting in the crosshairs of the Internal Revenue Service. A climate of “terror” that we have often pointed out appeared exaggerated and not justified by the nonetheless huge problem of evasion. Litigation that has in many cases ended in the acquittal of taxpayers.
A zeal now explained in good part by the fact that IRS officials receive bonuses based on the amounts they collect. “They should have no incentive to do what is their duty and what they are paid for anyway,” Raffaele Cantone, president of the Anti-Corruption Authority, commented to La Repubblica. Even more critical, also in Repubblica, was Vincenzo Visco, former finance minister: “I hope that Orlandi, the new director, will change the line from the past: paying inspectors based on results can lead to very aggressive attitudes. You force entrepreneurs under blackmail to make accessions based on violations that in part were not there or not there at all.”
WILL THE WINDS OF CONTROL CHANGE?
Visco’s wish, addressed to the new director of the Internal Revenue Service, Rossella Orlandi, is our wish as well. No mercy for evaders, but finally fairness and no fury for those who follow the rules. What do you think, is this a possible scenario?
