The head of the Directorate-General of Internal Revenue (DGII), Juan Hernández, announced yesterday that his office is contemplating the use of so-called "smart cards" instead of human inspectors to monitor some large tax contributors. On October 28 DGII placed inspectors in large commercial establishments around the country to ensure that these companies’ tax declarations are line with their true sales levels. DGII is now considering the use of special cards that would be attached to the cash registers of certain establishments and convey sales data directly to DGII, eliminating the need for the physical presence of DGII inspectors in each establishment. Hernández said that the measure would only be taken with those establishments who do not cooperate voluntarily with DGII in correcting their tax declarations. DGII asks those establishments not reporting sales in line with DGII’s data on averages for their sector are asked to work with DGII to "rectify" their declarations. Where no agreement can be reached, DGII would force the installation and use of the "plastic auditors."
