On March 1, 2012, the Spanish Ministry of Finance issued its Annual Plan of Tax and Customs. It focused on the main goals:
1. Investigation of tax and customs fraud;
2. Control of fraud in the collection phase;
3. Collaboration with tax administration of the autonomous communities (i.e., other Spanish states).
The plan will target the dismantling of the underground economy which imports and sells goods from third countries, especially Asia.
The plan will target money which has been hidden from the public treasury by the use of tax havens or artificial residence abroad. With this end, among other measures, the Ministry will exploit data obtained through exchange of tax information with other tax authorities. In 2012, Spain can obtain information from Andorra, Panama, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands Antilles.
The control of large companies and economic groups will target the deduction of financial expenses generated artificially with the only goal of not paying taxes in Spain and having tax-motivated operations.
With respect to the fight against contraband and money laundering, the priority will be prosecuting the smuggling of cigarettes.
The Ministry will explore the legal possibilities of preventive freezing of goods and property, the application of surety for payment of tax liability, and the possibility of requesting imprisonment for purposes who do not fulfill their tax obligations unless they are insolvent.
The plan reflects the increasing effort of tax authorities to close the gaps in revenue collection lost due to globalization and the growing use of criminal mechanisms, including asset forfeiture against tax and customs crimes.