Chile is one of the best kept secrets of the Internet - a pioneer in Internet-like technology a decade before the Internet was even invented, and now a world leader in using social networking and Web 2.0 technology to enable unprecedented transparency in its governmental systems.
I doubt online filing can be successful if the tax payers have to pay a fee for filing their taxes online. It doesn't make any sense, I agree.
As a government's office, the IRS should be serving the citizens in a way which could motivate them for a better filing and more accurate payment. After all, whose main interest is it?
Good questions Susan. I also wonder if there is an incentive for filing taxes online in Chile.
Something that never made sense to me is how the IRS in the US charges money for filing online. They promote it as a convenience and way to get your refund (if you get one) faster. Isn't online filing easier for them too.
Having accomplished a 98% online tax filing is certainly impressive. Now, I am wondering, how does the IRS monitor or audit personal and business accurate tax filing? It is clear that not having access to a computer or the Internet in certain areas of the country was solved by the Internet Cafés, Internet centers and the mobile IRS van where citizens are helped by government employees in their tax filing. That is clear.
But: Is there an educational program available in the community centers, libraries and municipalities? Is so, what motivates citizens to learn about online tax filing, the tax system and technology all at the same time? How accurate is the result of the 98% tax filing?
My interest in Chile grows with every bottle of Malbec I open, so it was great to learn more about this fascinating country. I'd like a follow up in a year to see how the Anti-Murdoch is progressing with his always-free content philosophy. Perhaps Chile's techno creativity combined with the influence of various economic models over the years will help him find a way to make high-quality content universally available. I hope so, but in the meantime my dirty little secret is I'm a tacit supporter of Mr. Evil--I pay to read the online Wall Street Journal, and I'll probably do the same when the NY Times imposes its subscription fees next year.
Technically and politically I think it could happen. The tax industry would object, but they have just been hit with new standards that are mandated as to who can be qualified to provide tax advice.
The government seems to be getting into everything thing, so a "streamlined" option for self-serving tax filers might be one way the government would propose to simplify and lower the cost for taxpayers! Everyone has their angle.
As an example, the website has some interactive games that teach kids to ask everytime for receipts for every purchase they made, this in orderto teach them civic responsibility and start the conscience of fiscal responsibility
One of the obstacles before mentioned is the tax filing companies, but on the other hand how willing is the IRS to have more auditing if this is implemented by citizen without proper knowledge
How willing are we to learn the basics of tax filing?
Right, Terry. US and Canadian tax reporting supports an entire underlying market in consulting and translation services. Where would our economy be without that?
Of course, there are online tools in North America to "do it yourself." But that's laughable. Who cares about saving a few bucks when the auditors come calling?
Very entertaining segment! The SII "pet" vid looked interesting - I'd love to find a translated version somewhere. So, what are the obstacles here? The lack of cyber cafes for everyone to participate? Getting our bureaucracy to change its well-established ways? The fear of the light of openess ruining the gravy train for all those who currently participate in the government's procurement process?
Apparently the Chilean government is using their imagination, in this case the addiction from childdren to cartoons, to help adults to make a transistion from tedious paperwork to online application and has resulted in a successful story
Among other innovations and embracing technology Chileans are on the rising of users of internet
This video shows how the multiplication of internet cafes is helping as well
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