The race against the clock (and the bureaucracy) of the SAT
The Tax Administration Service announced extended hours in its offices. Starting April 22 and until the end of the month, they will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The reason is clear: April 30 expires the deadline to submit the annual declaration of individuals.
“With the purpose of helping taxpayers,” says the official statement.
Help that, of course, requires scheduling an appointment through their portal. Because in the digital era, presence continues to be a procedure within another procedure.
The fine print that no one reads (but should)
The SAT kindly reminds you of fines for non-compliance. And it lists who must declare: from those who exceeded 400 thousand pesos in salaries, to those who have income from rentals or business activities.
The list is long, technical and perfect for generating confusion. Meanwhile, the web portal is available 24/7 during April. An option that avoids queues, but not necessarily headaches.
The irony is palpable. Physical hours are extended for a procedure that can be done online. Punctuality is required from a system known for its delays. And all wrapped in the usual bureaucratic language.
There are days left. The fiscal clock is ticking. The real question is whether more office hours equal less citizen frustration.
