Giving citizens the right means to contribute to the society – reflections and experiences from SwedenSwedish Tax Agency – Eric Thorén
Topics
• The Swedish context• Drivers for citizen participation• What we have done and where we are• Thoughts for the future
The Swedish context
The Swedish context
• Very high 3rd party reporting• Relatively easy to ”do the right
thing”
• A Tax agency that is viewed as an authority that is:– helping in doing the right thing– defending those who are doing
the right thing– addressing those who aren’t
doing the right thing
Tax Gap8-9 %
Audit results1-2 %
Right from the beginning
~90 %
Drives for citizen participation
Drivers for citizen participation
• Confidence in the authority (we are good guys)– Just and fair decisions from the authority– Emphatic treatment that supports the citizen– Simplicity in doing the right thing (regulations and services)– Secure and comfortable solutions
• Social norms in our society – Swedes like the infrastructure of the society
What we have done and where we are
• Educational efforts– High schools– Campaign
• Transforming the Swedish Tax Agency
”It’s OK if people work without paying tax”
Disagree Agree
2002 42% 25%
2004 55% 18%
Thoughts for the future
Thoughts for the future
• Simplicity (regulations and services)• Comprehensibility – all the way• Availability - not only a “tech thing”• On the citizen’s term• Enhanced cooperation with industry/unions/civic
groups
Muchas gracias!