THE
LOOMING ELECTIONS 1: Today is the first official day of the campaign.
I know this because late last night, I saw a group of men
plastering every empty wall with posters of local candidates.
These will provide urban decoration for many months of 2016, until
the rain finally removes their last shreds. meanwhile, here's a
commentary from my blogger colleague, Lenox. Of Business Over Tapas fame.
THE
LOOMING ELECTIONS 2: There was a debate the other day between the
leaders of the 4 main parties. Or, rather, 3, as the unimpressive,
gaffe-prone President Rajoy was represented by an empty lectern. One
wag has said that, such was the low quality of the debate - quite an
accolade in Spain! - he was the night's victor. More accurately, perhaps a
cartoon I saw yesterday lampooned Rajoy's habit of ducking out
and leaving his lady Vice-President to take any flak.
President,
to lady Vice President: I have an appointment with my urologist on
Friday.
Lady Vice
President: Would you like me to take it for you?
THE
LOOMING ELECTIONS 3: Having done bugger-all about the recently cited
dreadful '2-tier' labour market here, the PP party says it'll
transform it out of all recognition in 2016. And they'll also be
teaching pigs to fly.
TAX.
MODELO 720: If you're a foreigner resident in Spain with total assets
outside Spain of more than €50,000 - say a house! - you really
should know about the 2012 law which brought an obligation to tell
the Hacienda that you do. If you haven't submitted details for the
years 2012-14, you already owe them at least €4,500 (3 x 1.500).
Or, if they find out you haven't obeyed the law, at least €30,000.
And, if you miss the March 31 deadline for 2015, you'll owe another €1,500/€10,000. Plus possibly humungous fines way above the value of the assets in question. Leaving you with a
considerable negative net worth. This law - designed, under a phoney
'amnesty', to flush out details of the overseas assets of Spaniards
who aren't politicians - is so outrageous that Brussels is
considering whether it's legal under EU law. This might take some
time. Meanwhile, it applies in all its horrendous detail. If you pay
a tax adviser and you don't know about this law, sue them for
negligence. Or at least get your fees back. And think hard about
making a belated submission or four. Being 'voluntary', the treatment
accorded by the Hacienda will then be (laughably) 'light'. I did in June and I've
already had my first €1,500 fine (for 2012) and now await 2 more.
BTW . . In the UK, such fines are c. €135 per year.
FINALLY .
. . A TRUE LEGEND: William 'Dixie' Dean is not just a British but a
global legend in the world of football. Or 'soccer' to our American
cousins. As you can see here, he played for my team, Everton, and
left us with one of those records which may never be broken - 60 goals
in a single season. I was reminded this morning, by an entry on the
Facebook page of my friends, Os Porcos Bravos, that he died in just about the
perfect way - watching Everton play Liverpool at at the former's
ground, Goodison Park. I guess one day it'll be legal to arrange this
for oneself. Hopefully in my deathtime. BTW . . . Like me, Dixie was
born in Birkenhead. Another feather in the town's cap.
See my
other blog - A Scouser Lost in Galizalbion here.
Oh, yes . . . The foto that FB demands, in order to post my blog: A random Dutch woman, looking stern. Don't think I'd like to get on the wrong side of her. E. G, by posting her foto without permission:
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