conclusion.tex (1886B)
1 \section{Conclusion}\label{conclusion} 2 Tax transparency is a crucial aspect of a well-functioning society, as it 3 fosters trust, accountability, and fairness in the relationship between the 4 state and its citizens. Transparency allows for public scrutiny, which can help 5 identify inefficiencies, loopholes, or instances of corruption within the tax 6 system, ultimately leading to necessary reforms and improvements. 7 8 Unfortunately, it occurred to us that some tax departments still rely on 9 outdated, paper-based systems or legacy software, hindering their ability to 10 operate efficiently and transparently. The lack of digitization not only slows 11 down processes but also increases the risk of errors, data inconsistencies, and 12 potential mishandling of sensitive information. 13 14 The adoption of free and open-source software (FOSS) presents a compelling 15 solution. FOSS solutions offer several advantages, including 16 cost-effectiveness, customizability, and the ability to scrutinize the 17 underlying code for security and transparency purposes. By embracing FOSS, tax 18 departments can modernize their systems, streamline processes, and enhance data 19 integrity, ultimately fostering greater transparency and trust with the public. 20 21 The Donau system supports tax justice. The Donau not only manages to anonymize 22 user data, so that everyone is treated equally, but also helps the donor to 23 make use of their right to deduct donations from taxes. Because the donation 24 receipts are stored in a central location and can even be deposited in the 25 Donau, the likelihood of losing or forgetting to submit the receipts is 26 reduced. 27 28 Of course, bureaucracy and federalism can hinder the introduction of such a 29 system. Especially when it comes to the recognition of charities. But the Donau 30 could provide a first step into a more standardized system that handles 31 donations in a secure and privacy preserving way.