Malta Commits €3 Million to Implement AI-Powered Tax Evasion Detection System
In a groundbreaking move aimed at revolutionizing tax investigations, Malta’s Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has announced that the country will be implementing an artificial intelligence-powered system to detect tax evasion. This innovative technology is already used in several countries including the UK, New Zealand, and Canada.
How it Works
The AI-powered software uses daily analyses of individuals’ and companies’ wealth to match it with their declared income. It assesses cash deposits and illiquid assets such as property, land, vehicles, and boats to help the tax department monitor income and tax liabilities more effectively.
Benefits of the System
- Swift detection of tax evasion by authorities
- Reduced investigation time from weeks or months to mere minutes
- Promotes transparency, equity, and fairness within the economy
- Bolsters government revenue and secures tax compliance
Implementation Details
The Maltese government has allocated €3 million to cover the cost of implementing the high-end statistical analysis system (SAS). The software will collect data from various registries and bank accounts, using artificial intelligence to analyze the information.
Experts Weigh In
Professor Alexiei Dingli of the University of Malta believes that this AI-powered technology is poised to be a game-changer in tax investigations. “It promises to promote transparency, equity, and fairness within the economy while bolstering government revenue and securing tax compliance.”
Cultural Shift
The implementation of this system marks a significant cultural shift in the way tax investigations are conducted, moving away from random selection or anonymous reports to a more data-driven approach. The Finance Minister emphasized that this move is not aimed at stifling economic growth but rather ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes.
Tax Commissioner’s Goal
Malta’s Tax Commissioner Joseph Caruana highlighted the goal of making the tax collection service faster, simpler, data-driven, effective, efficient, personalized, and user-friendly. The country has been slow-moving in enforcing tax collection, with taxes accounting for 85% of government revenue. A cultural shift is required to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes.
Future Outlook
The success of this technology is expected to pave the way for other government departments to adopt similar AI-driven solutions, ultimately leading to a more interconnected and efficient government.