In a campaign that closed the 2023 tax cycle, the initiative covering 139 municipalities brought together the management and collection authority under the Alicante Provincial Council. The effort yielded a record 483.8 million euros in revenue, marking a historic collection rate of 92.34%. The achievement reflects coordinated public administration, digital modernization, and a streamlined approach to tax administration that benefitted both the council and local taxpayers.
New digital services and expanded personal assistance were central to this success. Flexible, efficient solutions increased municipal revenue by more than €4.1 million, and a strategic push to tailor communications to taxpayer profiles helped sustain momentum. The result is a more responsive tax system that aligns with contemporary expectations for accessibility and clarity.
Minister
The President of the Alicante Provincial Council, Tony Perez, highlighted Suma’s role in delivering advanced technological tools and broader payment options to support tax compliance. He expressed appreciation for citizens’ strong tax awareness and commitment to their municipalities during challenging times, noting that cooperation between government operations and residents has been essential to sustaining public services.
During the period, the tax office facilitated widespread tax payments, with 56,000 taxpayers engaging in its services. The demand rose by 3.8 percent, the highest in five years, with most activity concentrated among incomes below €300. This pattern underscored how support mechanisms can help households manage their tax obligations without undue burden.
We aim to place citizens at the center of Suma’s operations, ensuring efficiency and easy access to services as a core principle of public administration.
Marina Saez, Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury, and her team emphasized Suma’s agile, flexible service philosophy. The breadth of alternative channels allows taxpayers to meet needs without waiting for office hours, while face‑to‑face support remains available at local offices. A rising level of digital engagement, supplemented by traditional outreach campaigns and the expertise of Suma staff, enabled a historic fundraising milestone during a period of volunteer-driven effort.
Improvements in functionality and usability of Suma’s tools contributed to a notable online presence, with 1.4 million website visits representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. The user service center handled 110,377 calls and chats in Spanish, Valencian, and English. Non‑in‑person transactions, such as Bizum payments, showed a 37.8% rise, while receipts downloads grew by 5.9%, signaling greater convenience for taxpayers working remotely or on the go.
More innovation
José Antonio Belso, Suma’s manager, highlighted a series of taxpayer‑focused, technological innovations. A dedicated tax office in a metadatabase now provides a virtual environment designed around privacy and personalized information. The space is described as inclusive, free of physical or geographical constraints, where citizens can interact with Suma staff to receive tailored guidance. The intent is to support leadership in innovation and civic engagement while maintaining high standards of confidentiality.
Belso announced the launch of a new broadcast channel and video‑calling support via WhatsApp. These tools simplify procedures for residents and are particularly valuable given the widespread use of mobile devices. The aim is to reduce the digital divide and ensure that no group is left behind, reflecting the organization’s social commitment to inclusive service delivery.
Such initiatives illustrate a broader strategy: to merge cutting‑edge digital infrastructure with the human touch that makes public services meaningful. The result is a tax system that is easier to navigate, faster to use, and better suited to the needs of today’s households and businesses in Alicante and the surrounding municipalities. (Citation: Provincial Council of Alicante)