Tax tales from across the world
International group calls for more efficient exchange of information Financial intelligence officials from 47 countries have gathered in Bulgaria to discuss how improvements could be made to systems for uncovering
The Julgados de Paz in Portugal
THE JULGADOS de Paz are small claims courts, which were recently created for use by the general public to resolve conflicts through negotiation. The idea is to set up proceedings
Budgets and blame
FOR THE 11th successive year, the European Court of Auditors has refused to sign off the EU Accounts. Eighty per cent of the dodgy claims come from member states, yet
How to increase your after tax income…are bonds the answer
MANY RETIRED people like to supplement their pension with some other form of income. Many simply choose to leave capital on deposit, using the interest it earns as a form
Understanding the December effect
FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS either love or loathe the foreign exchange market in December. The currency markets thin out over the last weeks of the year as traders slope off to eat
Inflation fears finally force the European Bank into action
EUROZONE INTEREST rates had not changed for two-and-a-half years, they had not risen for five. But all that changed on December 1, when the European Central Bank (ECB) finally tightened
Fiscal matters – How, when and where to file
Contributed by Dennis Swing Greene International fiscal consultant, EuroFINESCO S.A. While, in the ‘good old days’, many were exempt from submitting IRS tax forms, the law has changed and now
Savings Tax Directive and exchange of information
Contributed by BILL BLEVINS Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks Trustees The EU’s revolutionary Savings Tax Directive comes into full force at the beginning of July 2005. These new regulations will change
The greenback’s fall from grace
Contributed by Simon Dowling, Director of Close International Asset Management Limited Recently, the value of the US dollar has weakened significantly against the pound, the euro and most other currencies. While
Top economists meet to discuss public finances
Leading Portuguese economists remain cautious and reserved about Portugal’s chances of improving its public finances after the February 20 election. At a meeting of the Order of Economists held recently