CSIF Calls for Expanded Tax Office Staffing to Strengthen Tax Evasion Controls During 2022 Revenue Campaign
In a formal statement, the Center for Independent Association and Authorities (CSIF) urged authorities to expand the Tax Office workforce as a key measure in the ongoing battle against tax evasion and the informal economy, a move they described as essential during the recently launched 2022 Revenue Campaign. The union framed its stance as a systemic push to restore balance between operational efficiency and enforcement capacity, arguing that robust staffing is foundational to credible compliance oversight and fair public funding.
CSIF elaborated that the Revenue Campaign has redirected a substantial portion of personnel toward customer service roles, a shift they regard as inadvertently weakening the agency’s frontline enforcement capabilities. The union pointed out that while client support remains important, the reduction in resources allocated to investigating and preventing tax evasion could undermine the campaign’s effectiveness. This reallocation, according to CSIF, has left the Tax Office with fewer resources to pursue non-compliance cases and to monitor emerging patterns of avoidance among larger taxpayers and the informal sector alike.
Adding to the concerns, CSIF estimated a shortfall of roughly 5,000 staff within Spanish Taxation administrations when measured against the personnel levels observed in leading European economies. The union framed this gap as not merely a staffing statistic but a signal of diminished capacity to enforce rules, collect due revenue, and fund essential public services that rely on compliant tax behavior. The disparity underscores the need for sustained investments in recruitment, training, and retention to restore a healthy enforcement balance that can deter evasion and support long-term fiscal stability.
In response to these challenges, CSIF proposed the creation of a formal “Fiscal Police,” envisioned as an extension of the existing Customs Surveillance Service. The aim is to bolster the prevention of tax evasion and mitigate the associated damage to public service financing. The proposed unit would complement current enforcement efforts, leveraging specialized expertise and cross-agency collaboration to detect inconsistencies, scrutinize high-risk profiles, and ensure a more robust response to non-compliance. The union stressed that this addition would not alter the general role of taxpayers but would enhance the system’s capacity to enforce laws consistently and transparently.
Beyond staffing and structural enhancements, CSIF reaffirmed its ongoing demand for improved compensation, greater mobility opportunities within the Tax Office, and the possibility of partial early retirement for eligible employees. These requests are positioned within a broader strategy to attract, retain, and motivate skilled personnel who can sustain rigorous enforcement work while maintaining service quality for taxpayers. By addressing compensation, career development, and flexible retirement options, the union argues that the Tax Office can better navigate workforce dynamics, reduce attrition, and maintain continuity in tax administration even during periods of reform and modernization.