New technologies, especially artificial intelligence, open countless possibilities. Suma saw an opportunity to apply AI to identify irregularities in tax payments. The body linked to the Provincial Assembly began using drone imagery to spot potential fraud, such as extensions to houses or unpermitted swimming pools. This initiative is part of a broader program to improve collection processes and the services offered to citizens.
Suma Gestión Tributaria focuses on its strategic plan 2021-2025. According to the organization’s director, José Antonio Belso, the plan was created to help citizens and institutions navigate challenges in its operating environment. The aim is to become a more modern, responsible and inclusive organization. Belso emphasizes that the effort is about establishing priorities, measuring outcomes, and rewarding results, especially in times of persistent crisis.
After two years of implementation, the operating model has grown more efficient through optimized, automated, and standardized processes. Among the actions taken, anti-fraud measures powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence stand out. A notable initiative uses orthophotos to perform volumetric comparisons, helping to identify larger homes or swimming pools that may indicate unreported activity. Belso notes that the goal is not to confront fraud itself but to flag potential anomalies for review. This pilot program currently involves two municipal councils within the province.
Another pilot project leverages machine learning to detect licensing fraud, expanding the scope of AI-driven oversight.
Artificial intelligence also enhances citizen-facing services. A new feature is planned for the existing application to inform visitors to Suma offices about waiting times if they do not have an appointment, improving face-to-face engagement with the public.
José Antonio Belso takes charge of Suma
On the strategic front, Belso expresses satisfaction with the plan’s development, noting increases in managed values and reductions in operational costs. Productivity per employee in procedures rose, while overall procedure efficiency and customer service also improved, reflecting a broader impact on the organization’s performance.
Belso reports that the rate of transactions not conducted in person increased, while wait times for appointments declined. The time to resolve resources improved markedly, signaling a leaner operation. In terms of collections, totals rose modestly and voluntary collection success moved closer to the 2025 target. The executive collection rate reached historic levels, and revenue from deals also increased.
For Belso, the synthetic excellence index remains a key indicator, aggregating these metrics to reveal a substantial overall improvement.
Payment deferrals rose by a modest margin in the first voluntary collection phase for the Mechanical Traction Vehicles Tax, reflecting broader economic pressures on family finances. Belso notes that about 3.4 million euros in assistance were extended to 13,663 taxpayers.
Despite this, the phase closed with a robust collection total, and the rate achieved marked the highest to date. Looking ahead, data for the second phase, the Property Tax (IBI) collection, remains unavailable. The previous year saw total collections rise, and Suma provided services to millions of members of the public, with hundreds of thousands engaging in person.