PORTUGAL’S MINISTRY of Finance can now seize goods, money and property from tax-payers owing them money, without prior consent.
However, the new regime, whereby bailiffs can be sent in to company premises and private homes of individuals, owing over a certain amount, isn’t without its drawbacks. The market research and survey company Intercampus, that carries out surveys for TVI, was recently the victim of a computer error, suffering visits from the bailiffs when, in fact, didn’t owe any money to the taxman, but were actually owed a rebate on overpaid taxes!
