AI detects 20,000 hidden taxable swimming pools in France, netting 10m

[sl8]

https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/30/frances_tax_department_used_ai/

AI detects 20,000 hidden taxable swimming pools in France, netting €10m

Aerial photo scanning tool to be expanded to catch out other unreported home improvements

Katyanna Quach
Tue 30 Aug 2022 // 06:36 UTC

AI software has detected more than 20,000 secret private swimming pools in aerial photography, helping French tax officials bag about €10 million (£ 8.6 million) in extra property levies.

Home improvements, such as the addition of a loft or a pool, can boost the value of a property and increase the taxes homeowners pay in the Euro nation. A 30-square-metre pool, for example, could set you back an extra €200 (£170) a year. People are required to declare these kinds of constructions, though some keep quiet to avoid having to fork out more money.

In a bid to catch tax dodgers out, nine departments working under France's tax office tested out machine-learning software to automatically find undeclared swimming pools from overhead photos. The software analyzed aerial images, scanning for telltale signs of pools such as blue rectangles in backyards. Officials used the code to identify homes with these pools, determined their address, and checked whether they have been reported or not by looking at a database.

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[MissB]

1. Seems fair

In my particular neighborhood, our sewer bill is determined by the lot size and whether or not we have a pool/hot tub.

The sewer bill is paid annually as part of our property tax bill.

So if my next door neighbor has a pool on their half acre lot and I do not have a pool on the same sized lot, their property tax bill will have a higher sewer bill than mine.

I’d think it would be hard to put a pool in without noticing, but we live in an unincorporated area outside of city limits. City inspectors don’t exactly patrol the neighborhood looking for folks doing a project like this.

[mopinko]

2. here if you dont have a water meter, it's based on plumbing fixtures.

sewer is a % of water.

[The Jungle 1]

3. Bucks county Pa has not had a property reassessment in over 60 years!

Talk about un-American and corrupt.