Talk Quesada forum

Although I don't reside in Spain my Mum does so I am making this enquiry really to help her. She has had the same tax preparer for years and it turns out the person, according to my elderly Mum, has made a mess of things. She recently told me that the preparer told her she owed over $4,000 Euros, which was fine but then the tax preparer came back and said that she owed more. I'm just hoping for some clarification: Even though a preparer does the taxes, any money owed would be paid directly by the individual and the cheque would be written to the Spanish equivalent to what the Inland Revenue is in the UK. Tax preparers do not bill their clients for the amount they owe to the Spanish government and then pay the amount owed on their behalf, correct? I'm not saying that's happening but trying to figure out why the preparer would say my Mum owes more money than what was originally stated after doing her taxes. Also, how do they calculate the conversion amount, i.e. her pension is paid in UK funds into her UK account, but given she is a full-time resident of Spain she must pay taxes on her UK pension to Spain in Euros. Does the Spanish government use the conversion amount on the day my Mum's pension is deposited into her UK account, or is the conversion rate calculated at the time my Mum's taxes are prepared or filed? Sorry if this sounds confusing. Thanks in advance.

conversion rate is always the previous December rate

Thanks jpeg. Much appreciated! It is strange the tax preparer could not explain that!

She needs a friend to go with her and find out exactly what's happened so she understands.

Trish G. My tax advisor tells me to write down both our total private and state pensions from jan to dec(spanish tax year) Then add it all up give her a total for myself and my wife and she does the calculations then gives me the good or in most cases bad news.But be aware it was in my case if you are late in payment there is no leeway given they charge you interest for late payment for every day. Good luck.

And make sure that person understands Spanish

Hi Trish,

We use Abaco Advisers and do what you expect, i.e. we pay them a fee to do the calculations each year and submit the tax returns; they tell us how much is due and when, and it's taken by direct debit by the Tax Office. However, I heard just this week of a chap who pays his adviser the annual fee plus the tax due amount, and then the adviser pays the Tax Office - he was querying how he can check that the monies actually being handed over.

I think your Mum needs to ask for a written explanation of this extra bill.

Good luck!
Paul

Go to a proper lawyer. I've always been with Esther at SGM Abogados in Benijófar. Wouldn't use anyone else. She is fabulous and I trust them, as do many of my friends and colleagues with their personal affairs.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice. Much appreciated! Cheers, Trish