Edith Sitzmann: "We are developing and testing the future of modern administration at Ravensburg "
Finance Minister Edith Sitzmann presented the tax office Ravensburg as the "Tax Office of the Future" (FiZ for short) on Wednesday. "We are testing innovations in five of the 65 tax offices, from digital citizen services to communication with companies. I am delighted that the tax office Ravensburg was able to impress with its application. At Ravensburg, we are developing and testing the future of modern administration," said Edith Sitzmann. The Finance Minister presented the key areas together with Andrea Heck, Chief Finance President, and Frank Widmaier, Head of the tax office.
"We are significantly expanding the service for citizens in the coming years," said Sitzmann. This will be made possible, for example, by appointment scheduling, call-back and video conferencing systems as well as the expansion of digital case processing. "The tax authorities benefit from digital processing because there is more time for more complicated cases. And it's faster for citizens," emphasized Chief Finance President Andrea Heck.
This is why the existing ELSTER service offering is to be significantly expanded. Citizens can ask their questions about the software (such as authentication at ELSTER) at so-called ELSTER points during opening hours. "We want to bring ELSTER closer to citizens and make it easier to use," said Sitzmann. To this end, free Wi-Fi would be available in the central information and collection point as well as in the waiting area, which would allow access to ELSTER.
The tax office Ravensburg in Weingarten is one of five tax offices in the state that are testing additional digitalization options. "I am delighted that we are one of five tax offices of the future. The employees here in Weingarten have made this possible with their creativity and commitment. We are looking forward to showing how financial administration can become more modern," said head Frank Widmaier.
Background "digital@bw"
Digitalization is a central focus of the state government's work. To this end, it has launched an investment offensive: around one billion euros will be invested in digitalization during this legislative period. In summer 2017, the first state-wide and cross-departmental digitalization strategy was presented at "digital@bw", which was created as a team effort by all ministries. Over the next two years, more than 70 very specific projects with a volume of over 300 million euros will be implemented in order to anchor Baden-Württemberg as a leading region for digital change in Europe. One of the focal points of "digital@bw" is Administration 4.0. With Extern: www.digital-bw.de (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), the state government has also launched a central online portal as a new showcase for digitalization.