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Taxes - Can the Spanish authorities embargo your property? |
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| By John Williams | |
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| In
the roaring 60's neither foreigners nor Spaniards were accustomed
to pay income taxes, wealth tax did not exist, few municipalities
bothered about plus-valia, and even if you did not pay the contribution urbana
(local property rates) nothing happened.
The municipal authorities did not know the properties or the owners
in their area, and had no real intention of enforcing anything.
But today......... |
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.....Today Spain is definitely different.
Foreigners, who are not willing to accept this fact, had better leave
the country and sell their properties to avoid getting into trouble.
Today the fiscal authorities are registering each transaction, they are
wiping out the last pockets of unknown ownerships, they are passing new
laws on taxes, lifting the value assessment on properties, preparing
strong new laws on fiscal fraud and expecting all, Spaniards and foreigners,
to abide by the law.
We foreigners should not only abide by the law because we can otherwise
be punished. We should also respect the house rules of our hosts, who
are opening their doors to us in a friendly manner.
Most of the foreigners, who do not comply with the laws and regulations
in Spain, do it from ignorance. They have not been properly informed
yet in the language they understand, or they have been misinformed by
their sales agents or by other persons claiming to know the situation.
It is urgent that all foreigners who intend to buy or who have bought
properties in Spain get to know their real situation.
What happens to the foreigners who do not comply with the rules in Spain?
Ignorance is no excuse. And the time limits set for payment are getting
shorter and shorter. The fines and surcharges come faster. More and more
foreigners are listed in the Boletines Oficiales of the various provinces.
And after having been warned there about their tax debts, the next step
from the side of the authorities is to place an embargo on the property
for the debts, and later proceed to a public auction of the property
to get their money. And do not expect the tax inspector to write you
a letter to your home country about this. They are just obliged to communicate
their steps in the Boletines Oficiales. You do not read it? You do not
live in Spain? You do not speak Spanish? Well that is your problem, not
the problem of the tax office, they just want their money.
So what is the solution? Keep yourself well informed, pay the taxes
and adjust to the spanish laws!
There are people who can help you and ensure you don't fall foul of the regulations. See below:
Legal Conveyancing : - Don't turn a Dream Into A Nightmare protect your interest and ensure your Spanish property purchase is risk free! Visit our website