The Internal Revenue Service (SRI) and the Office of the Comptroller General (CGE) in Ecuador are working together to address issues related to fiscal transparency. The collaboration targets individuals within the judicial system and other state functions who act without transparency, often putting personal interests ahead of national interests and causing significant financial losses for the country.
Between January and July 2025, SRI sent about 425 requests for tax information to CGE. This data has been important in identifying possible irregularities during special audits conducted by CGE. According to SRI, this information has helped CGE analyze potential risks such as unexplained increases in wealth and failures by public officials—particularly those considered politically exposed persons, including judges—to submit required information.
Damián Larco, Director General of SRI, stated that during the first quarter of 2025, SRI increased its control activities and carried out risk analyses on members of the Judicial Branch and related entities. As a result, authorities found possible inconsistencies in reported income as well as unexplained increases in assets.
In response to these findings, the tax administration has started audit processes according to current regulations. Priority is being given to judges whose administrative decisions could halt proceedings or benefit tax evaders or private interests at the expense of the state. “The SRI reaffirms its commitment to transparency, tax equity, and a strong fight against tax evasion,” said Larco.
Larco also explained that these actions and inter-institutional cooperation aim to identify differences between information declared with SRI and findings from CGE’s audit processes.
SRI is responsible for collecting taxes and overseeing internal fiscal controls while CGE is Ecuador’s main external oversight body monitoring public resource use and management by state entities. Both organizations have an Inter-Institutional Cooperation Agreement for exchanging information. This agreement sets up ongoing coordination channels intended to strengthen joint efforts toward a more robust system for controlling public management transparency.
Through ongoing information exchange, both institutions emphasize their commitment to fiscal transparency and oversight of public resources in Ecuador.
