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STI chief Edita Janušienė ends her four-year leadership term this year. However, he does not hide his participation in the contest and will seek this position again.
He regrets the fact that although a number of measures and funds have been allocated to protect customers and employees from Covid-19, the casualties have been inevitable: the virus has claimed the life of a colleague.
Interviews with E. Janušiene on the portal tv3.lt about the failed tax benefits, the measures to combat tax evasion, the reduction in the number of STI employees and their salary increases.
How did the coronavirus change the way the STI works? In the future, do you think it would be worthwhile to completely abandon live consultations and consult citizens and companies only remotely?
In particular, the pandemic had a significant impact on internal processes and customer relationships. Thanks to IT professionals for being able to quickly switch to telecommuting. As they said themselves, we did as much in a month as we normally would in half a year.
The priorities had to be reviewed and one of the main ones, of course, was helping companies. We have assumed that responsibility and I think we have done a great job.
We distribute more than 1.5 thousand to our employees. computers. In addition, by ensuring maximum data protection, we have allowed them to work both at home and, if necessary, come to work. We do not save on disinfectants and we buy them to the maximum.
In terms of working with clients, I would say that at some point we became the largest call center in Lithuania. We advise clients mainly by phone and only at certain times attended on the site with pre-registration.
What will you do differently after the end of the pandemic than before?
I think we’ll get back to live communication with clients a bit. But only with pre-registration would be the goal.
Analyzing the indicators, we see that the use of electronic services has grown significantly, that’s why we used to persuade customers. In fact, the pandemic has taught us and apparently some of our customers to use electronic services more.
Almost $ 800 million went unpaid last year. taxes in euros. What part of them do you think will never be paid due to corporate bankruptcies and other reasons? How to reduce this number?
Of those 800 million. EUR back tax 75%. for 1.2 thousand. Business. An updated list of companies for which the amount of deferred taxes exceeds 100,000 is now published. euros.
We analyze the financial situation of the companies with the highest indebtedness and the participation of companies until February 28. you must enter into tax loan agreements with us.
January 1 The data shows that a total of 217 companies on our list filed for bankruptcy. So far, 4.6 million have been “taken.” euros.
You will probably agree that we are all operating in a very uncertain environment now. I would say that it all depends not only on how much the state subsidizes companies, but also on how quickly we can vaccinate society and when companies will be allowed to operate freely.
There has been a lot of debate lately about the abolition of unfair tax incentives. They are political decisions, and the STI is the executor of them. However, in your opinion, which benefits are the most difficult to manage, which are the most time consuming, and which are not the most rewarding?
As you know, a working group has been set up on this issue, in which we actively participate and we are waiting for proposals and business advice. We have made proposals for property tax exemptions. They are more monetary than administrative, so they are easier for both customers and us.
We are also preparing a proposal for a real estate tax (RE) for which we did not receive the correct or incorrect data. We want it to be as convenient as a property tax. And there are about 20 real estate tax breaks, so we’ll ask for a review from that side.
We also plan to propose amendments to the Income Tax Law in relation to the calculation of goodwill and the transfer of losses between groups of companies.
But these are plans. I think there is still a need to review the purpose for which the benefits were introduced, if that purpose has been achieved or can be achieved in other ways. And systematically evaluate the impact of incentives both in attracting investment, equality of taxpayers and in society.
It is often observed that our tax system is quite confusing. It is believed that if a person receives a monthly bill (for example, similar to utilities) and could normally pay all taxes and fees to the state, then there would be more payers. What do you think of such proposals?
I would say that with the arrival of a special assistant during the population income declaration last year, it was certainly not that difficult to press a few buttons and submit statements.
But I cannot say that the tax system is simple. It is complex and several benefits with exceptions contribute to it. From a tax administrator’s point of view, it would be easier for us if there were less.
From what I’ve seen, business proposals undergo a fundamental overhaul – revisiting tax laws that were written a long time ago. We would not object to that.
Could STI and Sodra become an institution in the future? Why? Perhaps the tax base of personal income tax and Sodra contributions should be harmonized or worthwhile?
What is the purpose of this? It only makes sense to connect just to stay connected. Sodra also has other functions: it is also an institution that pays benefits.
I think if we were talking about merging part of the contributions, it could be considered, but here is a political decision. And if we talk about the benefits part, I don’t think it’s appropriate.
The contribution bases of the personal income tax and Sodra are, in fact, similar. We only charge a fee on the amounts actually paid, and Sodra, on the accumulated amounts. If the two ministries agreed, obviously we would not object. But two years ago we actively raised this issue, but no joint decision was made.
The STI has repeatedly stated its intention to end the common practice among some employers of using company funds for personal needs and thus not paying part of the taxes. What do you think should be changed to end this practice?
Last year, we had made it our priority. However, I must admit that, due to the pandemic, we conducted fewer operational inspections than planned to protect the health of our customers and employees.
The number of checks is small, but the amounts speak for themselves. The result of 46 control actions related to the funds of the personal needs companies is 1.3 million. During 26 operational inspections, fiscal adjustments amounted to almost 200 thousand. euros.
We see that this use continues to prevail especially in the purchase of cars, leisure, entertainment equipment, services, jewelry, apartments, villas.
Therefore, we will make appropriate proposals to the Ministry of Finance to improve the situation in this area.
Over the past four years, the average salary for STI employees (including past tax changes) has increased by approximately 50%. and now amounts to € 1,758 before taxes. Is it large enough to attract professionals?
2018 at the beginning of 55 percent. our staff received less than 700 euros in hand. Now only 5% of them remain. We are one of the few in the public sector that has a remuneration policy based on good international practices and comparative with the market.
Now a significant part of employee wages is already reaching the market average. But when it comes to highly skilled and skilled workers, the gap still exists. We would very much like us to reduce it, because current salaries are not enough for them.
Now we can rejoice unless the median CTI salary is higher than the general average for the capital. We also have the opportunity to pay bonuses by law, and we do so in a transparent and deserved way.
The number of employees in CTI’s central administration since 2017. decreased by around 100. The number of employees also decreased significantly in territorial divisions. To whom do you attribute this reduction to the number of employees?
In our strategy, we had a goal of having 2.7 thousand. employees, we deliver. We set this indicator based on how many employees are retiring, how many skills need updating, how many processes we can automate, what simplification and what not. All managers were tasked with reviewing processes and I think we succeeded.
Didn’t the quality of service suffer as a result? After all, there have been many cases where, for example, taxpayers have received false reports.
I admit, sending messages when I didn’t need them was a big deal. However, it has nothing to do with the number of employees. Where there was a reduction in staff, there were completely different actions and processes. The fake messages “left” the systems when we reviewed the 2015 data. These were accumulated old messages not sent. This was not considered previously in the development of the systems, but now all systems have the appropriate tools.
There is only half a year left until the end of the four-year term of his leadership at STI. Do you promise to compete and run for the new manager? Have you discussed this with the direction of the Ministry of Finance?
Yes, I promise to run when the competition is announced. The minister will probably not be able to prohibit or call the competition. And whoever wins the competition will lead the STI after July 28.
What are the most important things you enjoy the most during this period and what have you not accomplished?
I am very satisfied with the participation of the staff. 2017 at the end of the year, their share was 57 percent. – and we were below the general average of the institutions at that time. Last spring, we already had 72 percent. and we exceed the general average, perhaps around 180 institutions.
Increased team involvement has helped us meet the challenges of the past year with new subsidies for companies affected by the coronavirus. I believe that we will overcome the challenges and the implementation of the new support package and meet the expectations of the management for both the STI and myself as a manager.
Contrary to our expectations, the VAT collection gap has not narrowed. However, we have the recommendations of the World Bank and we expect better results from their implementation.
At least from what I hear from customers, the quality of your service and call center inquiries has improved tremendously. Also cooperation with other institutions, companies, as well as between STI units.
What would you have done differently this year?
I don’t know, I probably would have done the same with less patience (laughs, aut. Past).
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