Why discourage efficiency?

As far as I know, VAT departments exist in most countries, especially in Europe. The VAT system is a legitimate politico-administrative strategy that is necessary in every organised administration.

... the citizen-voter is penalised if s/he attempts to be efficient...- Anthony Licari

Whether one agrees with it or not, is not the point here, especially since there are many things that citizens may not agree with but still have to be maintained. For example, if citizens do not agree with the existence of a police force or of a warden system, a responsible government cannot remove these structures, thus inviting anarchy. For the same reasons, governments cannot remove tax collection structures like inland revenue or VAT if financial and/or fiscal anarchy are to be avoided.

Journalists, writers, philosophers, artists and intellectuals of all types have, over the centuries, written directly or in public media to government administrations. I have done both: I have written here and in various other media about this subject and directly to the Ministry of Finance. In all fairness, I will write here again in another article or letter when I have feedback.

In many countries, the people mentioned above have made suggestions to governments, including the discussion of ways of administrative behaviour beyond the necessity of application of administrative measures. One may also refer to the importance of handling bureaucracy rationally and pleasantly.

The subject of rational or clumsy bureaucracy remains very popular nowadays, especially during pre-electoral periods. A fresh example is the French presidential election in May of this year.

In the French press nowadays one often comes across references to reduction or improvement of bureaucracy. In Malta too, talk on bureaucratic discomfort is on the increase as the election approaches. This is one of the matters about which I have written to the Finance Ministry.

Like so many others, I have rarely written about politico-administrative efficiency without relating it to social harmony. Governments may ignore social harmony for a while but, in the end, the citizen-voter will seriously query them about it.

In my recent letter to the Finance Ministry, I mentioned a reality that associates bureaucracy and social harmony. I believe that Tonio Fenech likes to listen to citizen-voters, especially about matters that could improve the social harmony issue as affected by bureaucracy. I have mentioned that there is a system in the VAT Department that could be ameliorated leading to an increased satisfaction of the citizen-voter.

This is the matter of the VAT collection system. If I have understood the workings of this system correctly – and I stand to be corrected – there is during the year only one VAT collection period that is limited to the month of October. During this month, the citizen-voter receives greetings from the VAT Department and a form to fill in at the bottom of which s/he offers his autograph. If s/he so wishes – and also whether s/he wishes or not – his/her autograph must be accompanied by a handsome cheque proving fiscal responsibility and a happy contribution to the projects of the land.

So far so good. But where do bureaucracy, social harmony and the citizen-voter come in?

The VAT Department’s IT machine has automatically developed a bureaucratic strategy whereby, it seems, the citizen-voter is penalised if s/he attempts to be efficient, conscientious and organised by paying his/her VAT earlier than the month of October

Let me develop the example. In October, one expects to receive the usual hello from the VAT Department inclusive of an invitation to send some contributory funds for the development of the country. Before October, one may realise that one needs to offer some contribution and decide to be a good citizen-voter and be better than punctual. So s/he sends his/her contribution early. Promptly, this may be sent back and, astoundingly, one may also be kindly invited to pay a penalty for being a nice fiscal person.

And this is where the Finance Minister, as political administrator, comes in. I will never believe that Mr Fenech can give instructions to the VAT Department asking it to penalise the citizen-voter if s/he pays his her VAT early.

First of all, Mr Fenech wouldn’t do anything unkind and unjust. Secondly, he and all Ministers of Finance before him everywhere have always encouraged the citizen-voter to be punctual and efficient in his/her fiscal duties. Indeed, I have heard all Ministers of Finance criticise lazy, lethargic, late contributors and solidly praise citizen-voters who earnestly fulfil their fiscal duties.

If one logically assumes that pre-punctual is better than punctual one would also assume that governments and oppositions will decide that it is a natural, human reduction of unkind bureaucracy and an increase of social harmony to root out what has led man to set difficulties for himself.

And this for the just treatment and satisfaction of the citizen-voter.