Carlos Menem assumed power with delegated faculties and powers from the National Congress in tax matters. Under his management, AFIP was created, marking the beginning of tax collection in Argentina and the end of dependence on monetary issuance.
Julio Estévez (h) highlights that before Menem, there were the DGI and the national customs directorate, entities that had little activity. The creation of AFIP meant a fundamental change in the country's revenue collection system. However, criticisms have arisen towards the current administration for the decision to dissolve AFIP and create a new revenue-collecting body called ARCA, under the mandate of Javier Milei.
Recently, an AFIP employee attempted to take their life, generating alarm and questions about working conditions in the agency. The Union of Senior Personnel of AFIP, led by Julio Estévez (h), has decided to undertake legal action against Milei's administration for what they consider an abuse of power and a violation of acquired rights.
The government argues that the restructuring of AFIP seeks to combat supposed salary excesses and the presence of "ñoquis" in the agency, claiming that these problems worsened during the Kirchnerist and Mauricio Macri governments. However, Estévez (h) points out that the political accusations are unfounded and that entrance to the agency has been through selection exams, with 70 million taxpayers currently.
The confrontation between the government and AFIP workers highlights tensions and discrepancies regarding the direction of tax administration in Argentina. The suicide attempt of an employee and the union disputes reflect a scenario of uncertainty and conflict surrounding the restructuring of the country's tax system. Despite the controversy, the need for efficient and fair revenue collection remains a crucial point in Argentina's political and social debate.
