The Billing Problem: Jaime Gómez-Obregón Warns of the Upcoming Complexity
The well-known computer activist Jaime Gómez-Obregón has issued an important warning regarding the new billing regulations in Spain. According to him, the implications it will have on freelancers and small businesses will be considerable due to the artificial complexity introduced by the diversity of formats and software required.
Changes In Billing
How many times have we complained about poorly designed digital public services. Terrible procedures which we all end up suffering and that now seem almost impossible to change. Now, a drastic change in the way of billing in Spain is looming. It affects more than three million companies and freelancers, but also all of us, because we are consumers and receive invoices. As it is being proposed, this is on the way to becoming another Renfe website that we will be lamenting for years. But this time, the facts are not yet sealed. The changes are not in force yet. “We are in time to act,” says -Obregón.
The Diversity Of Formats: A Problem
I agree with the purpose of avoiding fraud, but not at all with the how. Why do we have to have a format that is incompatible with the European format? Among the current formats are Facturae used by some public administrations and the SII (Immediate Supply of Information) by the Tax Agency. Additionally, autonomous communities like Canary Islands use Factura Canaria and TicketBAI in the Basque Country. Why do we have to keep making quarterly VAT declarations if they are going to have all the data?
Call To Action
Jaime Gómez-Obregón feels great frustration, as no media outlet has echoed this situation. He claims that this is not a problem of ideologies or politics, but about correcting the course to take advantage of regulatory changes that, if well deployed, could have a fabulous impact and improve the country.
More information on Jaime Gómez-Obregón’s announcement:
‼️ Vienen grandes cambios y es importante que sepas lo que va a pasar
— Jaime Gómez-Obregón (@JaimeObregon) August 16, 2024
¡Cuántas veces nos quejamos de servicios públicos digitales mal diseñados! Trámites terribles que luego todos tenemos que padecer y ya es casi imposible cambiar.
Ahora está en ciernes un cambio drástico en la… pic.twitter.com/NHzZDTrxVs
Final Thoughts
We are at a crucial point where the public administration must be cautious and avoid unnecessary complexity. If we do not remedy this, we face another Renfe 2.0. Technology and regulations must serve the citizen and not become an additional obstacle.