25
Apr 2015
0

Identify Yourself: Banks to close accounts of unidentified customers on 30th April

Spanish News , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

A new mandate has been issued by banks in line with Law 10/2010 on the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism. This law requires banks to hold copies of their customers valid and in-date ID on-file and to contact any customer with an incomplete file so that a copy of  the relevant documents can be promptly provided. Banks must contact the affected customers via letter, email or SMS but if you do not receive notification, it means the bank is already in possession of your details, even so, it may be a good idea to double check your status just in case.

The accounts of any customer who does not submit their paperwork on time will be deactivated on the 1st May 2015 rendering any credit and debit cards inoperable and preventing access to online banking systems. However, if the necessary details are made available within three months from the 30th April, the account can easily be reactivated. After this period, things will become more complicated because the account will form part of the banks’ Memorandum Accounts but that does not mean the loss of  the balance that existed at the time of closure.

05
Apr 2015
0

What is the Spanish Personal Income Tax Return?

It is that time of year again when our attention turns to the dreaded personal income tax return

What is the Spanish Personal Income Tax Return?

General Spanish Regulations , , , , , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

It is that time of year again when our attention turns to the dreaded personal income tax return otherwise known “fondly” here as Declaración de IRPF, Declaración de la renta or simply Renta. For some it is a joyous occasion to get money back from the state (how often does that happen?) but for those who perhaps had a particularly good year, it can be a nail biting moment as they discover how much more money they have to pay the tax office. Either way, for the majority, it is a yearly obligation so here are a few titbits on how the Renta works in Spain.

02
Apr 2015
1

When Is It Obligatory to Obtain a Spanish Drivers License?

Trafico Sabrina L. Williams

In recent weeks I have received quite a few enquiries both directly and by means of local forums about the obligation to obtain a Spanish drivers license. There is still a lot of confusing surrounding the topic as the information that has been provided by the authorities and the correct understanding of the law that governs renewals has been conflicted up until now. Hopefully, this brief article will clear up any doubts you may have.

29
Mar 2015
0

The Canarian Government Clamp Down on Holiday Rentals

Back in 2013, I wrote an article on Holiday Lets based on Law 4/2013 that was passed in

The Canarian Government Clamp Down on Holiday Rentals

Real Estate , , , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

Back in 2013, I wrote an article on Holiday Lets based on Law 4/2013 that was passed in June of that year. That law stated “that over the past few years there has been a significant increase in the use of private accommodation for touristic purposes that can be perceived as intrusion and unfair competition and also goes against the quality of tourist destinations”. It was down to each Autonomous Region to govern this matter as holiday lets do not fall under urban rental laws and as the majority know, in the Canaries, ASCAV has fought tirelessly to establish property owner’s rights to let their properties on a short-term basis.

25
Jan 2015
0

Property Developer Stopped in His Tracks

An interesting event occurred just a few days ago that was enough to make me want to write

Property Developer Stopped in His Tracks

Real Estate , , , , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

An interesting event occurred just a few days ago that was enough to make me want to write about the experience (with my clients’ consent of course). I was representing a British couple for a property purchase on the island and after they confirmed to me the conditions they had agreed with the developer in their initial meeting, I carried out the necessary property searches and in so doing contacted the developer directly. In one of our conversations, the developer mentioned off hand, a couple of other conditions that had not come up before; the buyer would be liable to pay outstanding local council rates and community charges for the previous year. This of course can lead to the buyer being held responsible for any other outstanding community charges three years prior.

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