Topical issues
May 2012 was the second best
month in the history of ‘Financial Pages in Spain’. There are many changes
taking place which affect property owners and expats in Spain. Following this blog is a
great way of keeping up to date. Follow
At the end of the calendar
month, I like to reflect on the main issues and topics on ‘Financial Pages in Spain’
during May 2012. The issues which were most read during the month covered these
subjects
- Non-Resident
Taxes in Spain
- Tax
Avoidance and Tax Evasion
These are the issues that
contributed the most readership. I’m always pleased to receive emails either to seek further
advice or to comment on my articles.
Using the statistics
provided by my service contractor, I can also indicate the most popular posts
in terms of the number of people who visited the pages. They were, in order;
- New
Generation QROPS 2012
Major changes have been made by the UK
Government to the rules and regulations about Qualifying Recognised Overseas
Pension Schemes (QROPS). Though only formally announced on 21st March 2012, these changes became effective
from the start of the new UK Tax Year on 6th April 2012.
- Five
Non-Resident Spanish Taxes
It has been gratifying to see this post as a popular
selection since it shows that it is read not only by expats who have become
Spanish residents but also Non-Resident Property Owners. One disturbing aspect
is that I have had people say that they ‘did not know’ about taxes that are due
until they received final notices or maybe worse, letters to their UK
address!
I was also contacted by a responsible Estate Agent who is
using the information for his clients. I can send a .pdf format leaflet for
anyone who asks. Just email
me
- Tax Avoidance
and Tax Evasion
Question: What
is the difference between Tax Avoidance and tax Evasion?
Answer: A
prison cell
Somewhat
dramatic but since tax evasion is illegal and can lead to a prison sentence (in
Spain or the UK) well
worth remembering. Tax avoidance, though not illegal does sometimes come into
sharp focus, as organisations seek to find loopholes in legislation.
* * * * * * *
Financial Pages in Spain continues to grow, as I can
see from the statistics. Whilst Spain
and UK dominate the views of
both the Website and Blog, there have been readers from many other countries including
France, Malta and Canada. There is also a big
readership in Ireland.
Any issues which arise can be answered
on an individual basis if you email
me. I’m happy to receive questions from anywhere but my real expertise relates
to the UK and Spain.
I am happy to take suggestions from
readers about future articles. Please email me with your own ideas or
issues that you think need raising.
REMINDER from Financial Pages in Spain
I’ve owned property in Spain since 2002 and hate to think
how much I’ve wasted on exorbitant bank charges on foreign exchange of the
years!
So I’ve linked up for a new foreign exchange
service. It is available in any major currency around the world but doesn’t
offer cash transactions. This is a bank to bank arrangement and is priced to beat
the major banks.
But you can test it for yourself! Get a quote from
your normal supplier, and then get a quote from La
Torre Fx.
Even on a transfer from the UK
branch to the Spanish branch of my own bank, I made a big saving using La Torre
Fx. It costs nothing to get a quote. But if it’s a better deal for YOU the
application process is quite straightforward. Check here
Thank you for previous feedback and
requests for referral. I’m looking forward now – June is my favourite month of
the year in Spain
Recuerdos
David Goodall
Financial Pages in Spain
