The Internal Revenue Service (SRI) and the National Customs Service of Ecuador (Senae) will implement the tax and customs administration improvement program provided for by Executive Order 881, in order to optimize the operational processes of the two institutions.

This was announced by the President of the Republic Guillermo Lasso on October 2 from the Financial Platform in the north of Quito. “Having a good tax and customs administration is essential for the national economy; “Efficient, fair and transparent billing is positive for Ecuadorians,” said the president, declaring them a national interest and priority.

According to the governor, the program provides a comprehensive technological solution for SRI and Senae, and will enable effective and efficient meeting of the country’s needs in these matters. To achieve this goal, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and South Korea provided funds of 88.5 million dollars. The head of state promised to “take advantage of new mechanisms and update with the progress of the modern world, all for the benefit of almost 17 million Ecuadorians,” he said.

Port scanners

In addition, for the transformation of the customs system, President Lasso explained that the scanners are already working to detect not only illegalities in the declaration of goods, but also to detect drug trafficking in seven seaports and the airports of Quito and Guayaquil. Scanners will be operating in the main ports until November 15.

He also explained that during his government he had to redo processes and reorganize customs systems, “because – although you may not believe it – there was no list of what existed in their warehouses”. In addition, auctions continued and clothing, vehicles, machinery and other items were donated for the benefit of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES), the National Police, government departments and the Armed Forces (FF. AA.).

Regarding the tax system, the slogan of the Government of Ecuador is whoever earns the most must contribute the most.

For this reason, it is indicated that strict supervision of tax evaders is carried out through the SEC, and at the same time procedures are simplified and electronic invoicing is strengthened. Last year, information was also compared with that received from the Global Tax Transparency Forum. With this, President Lasso pointed out that “we managed to collect more than 100 million dollars from those who took money out of Ecuador without paying taxes; and this year it will be 30 million dollars.”