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Modelo 720 (Overseas Asset Declaration) It’s that time of year again

Some of you are saying they will never find out if I don’t declare, again you are very, very wrong. From 31st May 2017, all EU countries plus the UK and its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, have automatically shared all financial information on all financial assets held in their countries by tax residents of another country with the country they are known as being resident in. Please note, if your bank, building society , investment company, pension company etc etc, has a Spanish address for you on their file then whether you like it or not they are obliged by law to report any assets you hold to the HMRC and in turn HMRC will report this to the Spanish tax authorities.

They will report the value of all bank accounts, insurance policies, shareholdings, investments, Trusts etc. (no matter what the balance) as at 31st December each year. Plus they will notify them of what withdrawals have been made during that year and also if an account has been closed during that year.

From May 2018 over 130 countries worldwide will automatically be sharing all financial information on an annual basis. The goal is to allow tax authorities to obtain a clearer understanding of financial assets held abroad by their residents, for tax purposes, and is primarily aimed at preventing tax evasion.

There are ways to ease this reporting burden and to ensure you stay on the right side of the taxman, whilst minimising your tax liabilities, one such way is to use a tax compliant investment bond – for more information contact us today.

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Other News

Expats can appeal EU Referendum Act decision

Ballot BoxGood news for British expats who are hoping to prove that the EU Referendum Act 2015 unfairly discriminates against them and their decision to exercise their right to freedom of movement in the EU; they have won the right to launch an urgent appeal against the decision to not grant them a vote in the European Union referendum.

The move comes after Lord Justice Lloyd Jones, sitting with Mr Justice Blake at the High Court in London, earlier ruled that section 2 of the Act did not restrict their rights.

The appeal, which is being led by two British expats, is motivated by a desire to prevent Brexit; an event which would unduly affect the lives of the two million British expats who, should Britain leave the EU, face the possibility of having their lives severely disrupted, together with their plans for their expat regular savings. In fact, according to lawyers representing the expats, they face becoming “resident aliens”.

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Proving Residency and Identity for UK Expats Following Brexit

Passport and BrexitAs it stands, EU citizens living in the UK are required to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, which confirms that they are a settled resident of the UK. This has raised concern for many expats, and those living and working in the EU, about how they will be able to prove their identity and claim residency abroad if a no-deal Brexit goes ahead.

In the meantime, a useful resource for expats is the Gov.UK website where you can set up email alerts regarding Brexit updates and find out country-specific information about living and working abroad.

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