Receiving a letter from the Treasury continues to be one of the biggest fears among taxpayers today. And right now, with the 2026 Income Tax declaration campaign about to begin, there are many who seek to obtain detailed information on how to declare their taxes so as not to make any mistake that ‘raises the hare’ and could cause the arrival of one of these letters. Everyone believes that if the Tax Agency knocks on your door, something serious is happening. However, this is not always the case.
José María Medina (Chema), Treasury inspector in the General Directorate of Taxes, has dismantled some myths in an interview for the YouTube channel Venice Clubwhere he explains in detail the internal functioning of the Tax Agency. From how taxpayers are selected to which errors are most common, their message is clear: “many times the requirements end in nothing.”
The inspector insists that the first thing is to stay calm. “There are many cases in which the Treasury simply does not understand a situation and asks for clarification. You explain it and the procedure falls apart,” he says. Of course, he warns of something key: you always have to answer.
This is what happens when the Treasury detects irregularities
One of the points that generates the most interest among citizens is knowing how the Treasury decides who to investigate. Although he does not go into specific cases, Medina leaves a clear idea: the system is based on detecting discrepancies and risks.
In this sense, he issues a direct warning that summarizes the operation well: “when you start thinking ‘are they going to catch me or not?’, you already know you are doing it wrong.”
That is, more than a “random pursuit”, the Treasury acts when there are signals that do not fit: inconsistencies in statements, crossed data or situations that require clarification.
Even so, he insists that not everything leads to sanctions or inspections. “Many times a procedure is not even started,” he explains, emphasizing that the main objective is to verify and, where appropriate, regularize.
What to do if you receive a request from the Treasury
Upon arrival of a notification, the inspector recommends three basic steps:
- keep calm
- Read the content well
- Always respond within the deadline
“The most important thing is to meet the requirement,” he emphasizes. Even in situations where the requested information is not available, it is essential to respond.
Also, remember that there is the possibility of requesting an extension of the deadline if it is requested within the first days. “But the key thing is not to ignore it,” he adds.
It also clarifies that many requirements are not even addressed directly to the taxpayer, but may be related to third parties, such as seizures or cross-information.
The great myth of incentives for inspectors
One of the most controversial issues is the belief that inspectors have incentives to open inspections or impose sanctions. Medina categorically denies this.
“It has been said that there are commissions for what is settled, but that does not exist,” he says. As he explains, the variable part of the salary linked to settlements is “tiny”, around 1% per year.
In reality, what is valued most is the technical quality of the work. “Doing a procedure well has more weight than the amount settled,” he points out.
With this, he tries to dismantle the idea that the Treasury acts with an indiscriminate collection spirit: “an inspector has no real incentive to settle debts that do not comply with the law.”
Common mistakes that can put you on the radar of the Treasury
From his experience, Medina identifies several common errors among self-employed workers and companies that can cause problems with the Treasury. One of the main ones is the incorrect deduction of expenses, especially those that refer to per diems or meals that are not always known with certainty if they are associated with the work carried out by the self-employed person or their company.
“There are difficulties with meals, diets or gasoline, because it is difficult to prove if they are linked to the activity,” he explains.
It also highlights the importance of always justifying the relationship between spending and income. Without that connection, the expense may be rejected.
Another common mistake is to trust agencies that only carry out basic procedures without real advice. “Many limit themselves to presenting models, but they are not proactive or optimize the fiscal situation,” he warns.
For this reason, he recommends investing in good advice when it comes to important decisions: “it may seem like an expense, but it gives you legal security and avoids future problems.”
Why do many people prefer not to resort?
The inspector also addresses a reality that worries many taxpayers: the feeling that “The Treasury always wins.”
Although he recognizes that more than 50% of the resources can prosper, he clarifies that these are often partial estimates. That is, the taxpayer wins only part of the case.
Furthermore, he explains that many people decide not to resort for practical reasons: time, cost and complexity of the process. “Sometimes it doesn’t pay to get into litigation over small amounts,” he admits.
A complex system that generates insecurity
Beyond the procedures, Medina recognizes a structural problem: the complexity of the tax system.
“The norm is very difficult to understand and there is a lot of regulatory dispersion,” he points out.
This causes many taxpayers, even acting in good faith, to make mistakes.
That is why he insists on prevention: “prevention is better than cure.” And he returns to his main advice: get advice before making important tax decisions.
The final message from the Treasury: comply well, do not punish
Faced with the image of a “shark” Tax Agency, the inspector sends a different message: the objective is not to sanction, but to facilitate compliance.
“What we want is for the taxpayer to know the rules and comply with them well,” he says.
Of course, it also makes it clear that there are fraudsters and that the system is prepared to detect them. But, in his opinion, most citizens simply need more information and less fear.
In short, understanding how the Treasury works not only reduces risks, but also allows you to make better decisions. Because, as Medina summarizes, the problem is not that they choose you, but not knowing why.