Latest news with #Hacienda
Local Spain
21-05-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
What to do if you're facing a tax inspection in Spain
Typically, a tax inspection is prompted by a specific incident or if you run a business that is under the Spanish tax agency's scrutiny for fraud control. This includes sectors where you often receive cash payments rather than bank transfers. You may also be targeted if you regularly receive VAT back from the authorities rather than having to pay more or if you're under Spain's Beckham Law tax regime. Unfortunately, these are both true for many foreigners here who work for companies abroad. If you do receive a letter from Hacienda's tax inspection unit, it's important to read the document carefully to understand all the implications. The letter will detail the reason for the inspection, the years they are inspecting and the information required, as well as the deadline for responding. It's very important to make sure you respond by the deadline or you could face fines. The first step is to start organising all your documentation which includes invoices, receipts, tax returns, statements from your bank etc. Ensure that everything is up to date and store them all together so you can find them all in one place. In Spain, you are obliged to keep all your documents and receipts for a period of six years, because inspections can go back this far. Secondly, you should go over all your numbers and calculations to make sure that everything is correct and there aren't any errors. If you have a gestor, you may want to contact them too to check all the calculations they've submitted are correct, as they can make mistakes too. Prepare you answers in case you have to justify certain expenses for your business, large cash transactions etc. If you don't have a gestor or accountant, you may want to contact one as they can help you prepare and anticipate what questions and information the Tax Agency will need. Occasionally inspectors may come to your place of work to conduct an on-site inspection, but they will only be able to do this if it's a place open to the public such as a café. If you work from home, they will have to have an administrative or court order if they need to inspect anything in person. Once you have got everything in order you will usually send your evidence digitally or in the post, without having to go in person. Sometimes, however, you may have to go in for an interviewing or questioning. The Treasury will notify you of the outcome within a certain amount of time and will let you know if everything is correct, if they need any more information or if you owed more money. It's important to answer any questions they have confidently and to stay calm, so you can show them you're on top of the situation. They will send you settlement with a result to be paid and typically offer a reduction if you accept it without filing any objections. If you do feel that the result is wrong, however, you can file an appeal. Be aware though, that this could result in a penalty fine. Once everything has been finalised and paid, it's essential that you keep all documentation organised and easily accessible in case they contact you again in the future. This means keeping all records of correspondence with the Tax Agency and the final result.
The Courier
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Dundee's Brian Cox among big names in Kirkcaldy festival programme launching this weekend
Succession star Brian Cox features alongside a host of local talent in a packed programme of Kirkcaldy events launching this weekend. Lang Toun Fest is Kirkcaldy's first arts and culture festival. And other big names taking part include Fife-born author Val McDermid, who is interviewing former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Hacienda DJ Graeme Park will also return to his roots for a special benefit gig in aid of Sarcoma UK. However, a host of community talent is also included in the five-week extravaganza. Lang Toun Fest kicks off on Friday May 30 with the Lang Toun Jazz Proms opening concert. It officially closes with Fife Pride on July 5. More than 125 events are already organised, with more being added. They include live music, literature, performance, yoga, comedy, food demonstrations, talks, walking tours and exhibitions. Thousands of printed programmes are now available at venues across Kirkcaldy. The idea for a community-based festival came from discussions among the Kirkcaldy Partners group, comprising individuals and groups from across the town. They share a passion to showcase all that's positive and creative about the Lang Toun. And they took the chance to build on existing initiatives such as the Adam Smith Festival of Ideas, Fife Pride and the Kirkcaldy Walking Festival. Plans are now under way to make the Lang Toun Fest an annual event. Love Oor Lang Toun development manager Ryan Strachan said: 'Lang Toun Fest 2025 is a celebration of arts, culture and local talent.' Full details on all the Lang Toun Fest events can be found at:
Local Spain
15-05-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
How does Spain's tax agency detect fraud?
The tax system can be very complicated in Spain and difficult to get your head but that doesn't mean you won't be fined for not declaring your earnings as you should be or even trying to defraud them. Perhaps you're not properly declaring income from abroad, maybe you're working in Spain while on the non-lucrative visa or perhaps you're doing casual job here and get paid under the table? Whether you're deliberately committing fraud or doing it unwittingly because you don't understand all the rules, all these are very risky because the Hacienda, Spain's tax agency has many ways of finding out. According to data from the Ministry of Finance's Technical Union, the underground economy represents more than €200 billion in Spain, equivalent to more than 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is why fraud detection is such as big business here and why the authorities have implemented lots of different methods to find out. Cash withdrawals and deposits are reported All cash withdrawals and deposits over €3,000 are reported by banks and other financial institutions. This both helps combat fraud and money laundering. For example, if you're only declaring €2,000 in earnings, yet you're depositing €3,000 in cash into your account every month, there are going to be some questions asked. The same goes with withdrawing large amounts if there's no record of what it's being spent on or if it's being used to pay other employees under the table. Activities are closely monitored, especially those of the self-employed People working in certain sectors are more closely monitored than others. The is particularly true if you're self-employed. And if your business involves many small cash payments, the authorities will scrutinise your tax returns and accounts even more to make sure you're declaring absolutely everything and not pocketing any that they're not aware of. Artificial Intelligence tools AI and big data are being used with increasing frequency by the Hacienda. They can be used to monitor tax returns, payments you're making and even check water and electricity consumption bills to make sure you're not renting out a property and not declaring the income. AI-based technological tools are used most frequently, however, when looking at the yearly Income Tax Campaign. The computers learn if you've made mistakes or entered amounts and then tried to modify them later on. Scrutinising your income tax returns Income tax returns are closely looked at in order to identify taxpayers who make recurring errors and fail to account for some of their income. This is sometimes done by AI and sometimes by those who work for the agency. Identifying false non-residents The Tax Agency also looks carefully at those claiming to be non-residents, but who actually spend more than 183 days here or have their families or main centres of economic interest in Spain. One way they do this is by looking at the location of electronic devices belonging to suspicious self-employed individuals and businesses. They also analyse family relationships, where you spend your money and what on. They even look at data from tolls to see how many times cars have been crossing the border. AI technologies identifying false non-residents allowed the Tax Agency to recover €24.5 million in tax defrauded funds from 69 taxpayers in 2021 who were actually resident here. Social media Sometimes, the Tax Agency will even look at the social media accounts of suspicious individuals that are on their radars. For example, do you look like you're living beyond your means? Are you posting work you've done but haven't declared? Or are you often posting from Spain even though you claim to be a non-resident here? Cross-referencing If you are a landlord and you're not declaring your rental income for example, the authorities will look at which properties you own and cross-reference your income with tenant's income tax returns. Those who don't register their deposits properly will also raise a red flag. Looking at your expenses It is also considered to be fraud if you are claiming back lots of expenses which you shouldn't be. For example, if you're self-employed, you can claim business related expenses, such as business trips, computers for business use, a proportion of your utility bills if you work from home, uniforms you need for work etc. If you're trying to claim holidays as business trips though, software used for gaming and everyday clothes, the Tax Agency can find out and you could be fined. The authorities will look closely at all your reported expenses to see if they're deemed necessary for your work and you may even have to justify them. Identification of fake employment contracts and shell companies This point particularly applies to those who apply for the Beckham Law, which allows certain people who work for companies outside of Spain to pay a flat rate of 24 percent tax. Many people want to take advantage of this tax benefit and so they make up conditions or create companies in order to qualify. This can include fake contracts with businesses and shell companies, which are legally incorporated companies which really exist in name only.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The perfect event to go to in Cardiff if you missed out on Oasis tickets
The perfect event to go to in Cardiff if you missed out on Oasis tickets If you didn't manage to grab Oasis tickets this event is for you No need to worry if you didn't get a ticket to the Oasis gigs (Image: Mirrorpix ) Thousands and thousands of Oasis fans struggled and failed to get tickets for their highly-anticipated reunion, which is kicking off in Cardiff. Noel and Liam Gallagher will reunite on stage at the Principality Stadium on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5. If you didn't get tickets for the gig there is a great event you can attend instead. Steinbeck & Shaw, in the heart of Cardiff, is holding a fab alternative event. They will be hosting a one-off celebratory weekend of indie anthems. On Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, Steinbeck & Shaw have partnered with Voodoo Disco to put on a full-throttle tribute to Oasis, with a genre-spanning soundtrack that captures the spirit of the era. There will be a stellar DJ lineup headlined by Hacienda resident Chad Jackson and supported by Madchester's Chris Bretten. Guests will enjoy an electrifying mix of Oasis, rock and roll, indie, Madchester classics, and Hacienda vibes setting the perfect tone before and after the iconic concerts. DMC World DJ Champion in 1987 Jackson, best known for his seminal track Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked), will bring his signature high-octane set to Steinback & Shaw. Article continues below The events will be running from 2pm until 3am both days meaning if you don't have a ticket to the concert you don't have to miss out on the iconic tunes. Tickets are now on sale with early bird admission starting at just £5. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Fans are advised to book early as availability on the door is not guaranteed. You can book your tickets here. Holly Graham, Steinbeck & Shaw's venue manager, said: "The Oasis concerts will be the highlight of Cardiff's music scene this July and we can't wait to welcome fans to Steinbeck & Shaw for the ultimate pre- and afterparties. "They're going to be nights to remember whether you have concert tickets or not and offer the best music of the era over both nights." There are set to be a lot of road closures in Cardiff during the Oasis gigs, which you can read about here. Article continues below You can read everything you need to know about the Oasis concerts here.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale star's secret family tragedy and how he nearly quit showbiz
In Mental Health Awareness Week, Emmerdale actor Jay Kontzle talks to The Mirror about he overcome childhood trauma with the help of psychiatrist and loving grandparents Drawn into a gripping whodunnit, Billy Fletcher is at the centre of a dramatic Emmerdale storyline, after his estranged wife Dawn confessed to him that she'd pushed her lover Joe Tate out of the window. As Joe (Ned Porteous) fights for his life in a coma, Billy - played by Jay Kontzle - overhears Dawn (Olivia Bromley) confess to still having feelings for the injured villain. Gutted, Billy threatens to go to the police if she doesn't give him full custody of their kids. "Billy has been doing all he can to keep his family together -and will always have hope he and Dawn can be together, but for now his kids are his priority,' Jay tells The Mirror. 'He will do anything to keep his family.' While Billy's motives are twisted, Jay, 34, identifies with the importance he attributes to family. Unlike his character, who he has played since 2017, he is very happily married to artist Mimi. who he lives with in Yorkshire, along with their kids Kaibo, eight, Zian, six, and Xiao, two. And he is determined to give his children a stable upbringing, having tragically lost his single mum in a car crash when he was just four-years-old. Forever grateful to his grandparents Ann and Mike Kontzle, who brought him up as kinship carers, after Louise, 23, a DJ at Manchester's legendary Hacienda club, was killed on her way to a gig in Derby, he says: 'They gave up their whole lives to push me forward. 'They got nothing for it and had no reason to do it other than their love for me. 'I would have been put in foster care and not enjoying the life I have now if my grandparents hadn't taken me in.' For this reason, Jay vehemently opposes the latest government cuts to kinship care support, and to therapy for adopted kids - urging Keir Starmer to reverse the decision - as financial help for therapy under the Kinship Care fund has been slashed by 40% per child. Joe says children brought up in kinship care - by a relative or friend – usually because their parents are unable to care for them, have often suffered some form of early trauma. He received therapy after his mother was killed and says that, combined with his grandparents' care, it was "life-saving". "I had a child psychiatrist. She obviously massively helped me,' he says. 'I remember doing toy therapy. 'My psychiatrist was incredible, such a really understanding person. Not only did I explain a lot of things to her, I actually felt valued as a kid.' Jay saw a psychiatrist from the age of five until he went to secondary school, due to the immense trauma of losing Louise. Speaking to The Mirror during Mental Health Awareness Week, he continues: 'My therapy really helped with building self-esteem. Mental health comes from feeling valued. 'I think it's all well and good for adults to do positive things like going to the gym and doing what you can to feel better, but we're social beings, and we need to talk to people. 'That's especially for kids who are not feeling valued or not getting praised.' Jay is immensely grateful that he was able to come out the other side, but that is only because of the support that he received from mental health professionals and loved ones. He adds: 'Foster carers do great work but being looked after by my grandparents really saved my life, as they already loved me and knew me. They didn't need to be given a folder of all my likes and dislikes 'It's ridiculous that they didn't get the same financial support as foster carers and that's still the case. 'And now things are getting even worse for them. 'My nan had to work two jobs to raise me, while also grieving for her daughter.' Jay, who has the ring his mother wore when she died and plans to pass it on to his daughter Kaibo when she is older, really identifies with the current Emmerdale storyline in which Billy and Dawn are doing all they can to protect adoptive daughter Clemmie - who is thought to be the real attacker who put Joe in hospital. They became 10-year-old Clemmie's guardians as her real mum Beth was a drug addict. Emmerdale fan s saw Joe threaten to have Clemmie returned to care if she exposed his relationship with Dawn, after she discovered they were lovers. Jay adds:" Its a cruel unforgivable thing to say to a child. 'Although Dawn is not related to Clemmie, she was her mother's friend who stepped in to look after - rather than see her in foster care, so it's very similar to kinship care. 'Dawn and Billy are trying to give Clemmie a better future. They are both protective of Clemmie.' Meanwhile, Billy's stepson Lucas and he and Dawn's baby Evan are similar ages to Jay's real life kids. He jokes: 'My kids are everything. Watching them grow up just makes me really value life. They are such loving caring kids - always giving cuddles. 'I find it difficult to be sentimental because of my past, but the kids help me unlock that side. 'I want to push them to be driven and be successful in their lives and do as much as possible.' Jay is certainly a shining example - with Emmerdale not being his first shot at fame. Aged 17, he founded pop band The Mend, who were snapped up by former Take That manager Nigel Martin- Smith, and successfully auditioned for The X Factor - before being forced to leave the 2011 competition, as acts weren't meant to already have a manager. 'We had to leave after Bootcamp - we didn't even make it on screen! I was gutted,' says Jay. Bouncing back, The Mend appeared on Britain's Got Talent the following year, impressing a surprisingly excitable Simon Cowell so much that he jumped on one of his bandmates' backs! Jay says: ' Simon was saying 'you guys are going to go far.' He was quite childish, I didn't expect him to be like that. 'We reached the BGT semi-finals but then got beaten by a dancing dog.' Despite losing to Ashleigh Butler and her dancing dog, Pudsey, The Mend went on to support Little Mix before disbanding in 2016. 'The band was a good experience. We got as far as we were meant to. I learnt a lot - namely never take fame too seriously and think it is bigger than it is,' says Jay. 'Afterwards, I was completely forgotten about until Emmerdale. A year before joining the soap, he worked as a learning support assistant at Sandbach Boys School in Cheshire, teaching kids with attachment disorder and autism. 'I wanted to give back—help kids as I had been helped,' he says. 'I applied for the Head of Year 7 and 8 position, because I had a good rapport with the kids, and they were getting good grades - but then I got offered Emmerdale.' While he loves every minute of his Emmerdale success, family will always be Jay's driving force. Determined to make his mum proud, he adds: 'Everyone tells me she was such a bright light, really good energy, really funny. It's something that I've always tried to live up to. 'She had achieved so much in her life already when she died. 'I knew I wanted to do something with my life just to appreciate the life that she's given up and make the sacrifices my nan and grandad made all worthwhile."
