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Drones Reveal Widespread Tax Evasion In Argentina
Tailhook (98486) writes "The Argentine government has used drones to reveal 200 homes and 100 pools in an upper class area about ten miles south of Buenos Aires that had not been detailed on tax returns. Tax officials said the drones took pictures of luxury houses standing on lots registered as empty. The evasions found by the drones amounted to missing tax payments of more than $2 million and owners of the properties have been warned they now face large fines."
I bet most of these houses belongs to people somewhat related to government itself, and the thing will be forgotten as soon as possible.
What, Argentina can't just click on google maps to find pools, they need drones?
http://www.geoffreylandis.com
And I can't help but think, good on them.
Google Street View, Google Satellite View are all now being used by lazy local governments.
A rare example of governments using a cheap, effective method to do their jobs rather than finding an expensive and inefficient way to do it.
How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
Funny note, Argentina's AFIP (IRS) director, had a 82x (yes, 82 times) increment on his wealth since he started working for the government.
In the UK, even before Google got in there, the government was using spy satellites to check on things like farm subsidies: when a farm submits a claim saying there's a 100 acre patch empty (to claim "setaside" payments) or has a highly subsidised crop growing, it's quick and easy to check a satellite photo and know if it's really only 90 acres - or if only the strip nearest the road is as claimed, with a big patch of some more profitable crop hidden inside. Compared to the cost of sending someone there by car to inspect the whole field on foot, using satellites (which of course they had in orbit anyway, for more predictable purposes) apparently it saved a fortune.
An assessor using street view/aerial (most of the imagery from such services is actually taken from aircraft) is probably pretty darn close 99% of the time.
Our assessors don't even get that fancy. They just use a standard calculator to calculate the maximum allowable increase in property value allowable by law and then that is what your house is worth this year.
If you wish to contest it, by all means pay $500 for an independent appraisal which might be thrown out by the judge or might be accepted and might even save you something less than the $500 you spent on the appraisal.
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.