The Catalan treasury advises nearly 59,000 taxpayers on income tax, a 25% increase

The Catalan Tax Agency has assisted 58,981 people during the income tax campaign, a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Councillor Alícia Romero highlights the increase in staff and offices.

The Catalan Tax Agency (ATC) has concluded the income tax campaign with 58,981 taxpayers assisted, either online or in person. This figure represents an increase of 25% compared to the previous year, as reported this Thursday by the Minister of Economy, Alícia Romero.

Romero attributed the increase to "the Government's commitment to incorporating more staff and offices throughout the territory." The ATC has been offering this advisory service since 2018 with its own resources, and its workforce is nearing 1,000 employees.

The path towards collecting income tax

The Government maintains its strategy of gradual growth for the ATC, with the medium-term goal of not only advising but also collecting and managing income tax. This commitment is part of the investiture pact between the Executive of Salvador Illa and ERC, although it is still pending implementation.

"It is difficult to say how many workers we will need and when we will start collecting it," Romero admitted. An internal report from the ATC, advanced by several media outlets, estimates that the agency would require at least double the staff to manage income tax.

For now, the ATC is collaborating with the Spanish treasury to begin jointly managing the registration tax, a minor tax that will serve as a testing ground for future responsibilities regarding income tax.

The political and financial hurdle

Both the transfer of income tax and the new model of autonomous financing require approval in the Congress of Deputies. The PSOE and PSC have not yet reached a clear consensus to greenlight the collection of income tax by the Generalitat.

Romero has expressed confidence: "Next year we could take on some element of income tax management. They (the Treasury) are not closed off," she stated. However, the timeline remains uncertain.

The new financing model will be discussed at the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy on July 29, and then it will go to Congress in the autumn. Junts, a key party for the majority, has not yet committed to voting in favour.

For the Catalan taxpayer, for now, the most tangible change is the expansion of the advisory service for income tax returns, with more service points and staff. The ATC plans to continue strengthening its structure, although full management of income tax will still take time to arrive.