AI Applications for Revenue Mobilization—Learning From and With Peers

On November 3-5, 2025, the JVI, in cooperation with the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, organized a peer-to-peer workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for revenue mobilization. The event brought together 27 senior officials from revenue authorities and ministries of finance across 17 countries in the JVI region who are involved in the oversight, design, or implementation of AI tools.

The workshop aimed to facilitate the exchange of recent country experiences, showcase successful practices, and promote regional collaboration. It featured presentations by staff from the IMF, the JVI, country participants, and experts from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance and the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Enthusiastic discussions highlighted how AI is transforming tax administration across both service and enforcement functions. The focus was primarily on machine learning and predictive analytics, with participants noting that generative AI applications remain at an early stage. Participants presented examples of AI tools used to accelerate VAT refunds, improve audit hit rates, reduce false positives, and enable more targeted resource allocation. Several countries shared their experience of significant efficiency gains in audit selection and refund processing, as well as substantial revenue recoveries and stronger taxpayer compliance.

While the shift toward data-driven, predictive, and automated systems offers the potential to enhance efficiency and public trust, participants emphasized that technology alone is not enough. Sustainable progress requires robust legal and ethical frameworks, strong data governance, and ongoing capacity development.

Overall, the event confirmed that AI can significantly enhance revenue mobilization and service quality, but its successful integration ultimately depends on human expertise. Moving forward, the potential of generative AI specifically remains yet to be fully explored and represents an area of considerable interest among all the participants.

Markus Eller, Senior Economist, JVI