European banks stress tests
Twenty per cent of banks failed “stress tests” conducted by the European Banking Authority to see if they are strong enough to withstand another financial crisis. All the major banks
Letter from America
“After the roller-coaster ride of the last month we were bound to have a quiet week sometime. Equities drifted higher as did bonds, but not even the monthly US employment
No hiding place as 50 countries sign deal to share your information
Automatic exchange of information on a global scale will become a reality in 2017, as 51 countries signed an agreement to share financial information. Another 35 jurisdictions will join the
Local Lodging enforcement
One of the innovations of the new Local Lodging legislation is just how easy and potentially deadly enforcement has become. It’s as easy as booking an apartment or villa in
Lower interest rates for longer
If you are offered something that seems too good to be true, it probably is! With the UK economy performing relatively well, there has been much speculation over when interest
Civil Service Pension Schemes
The 2014 UK budget proposed some drastic changes to the pension world and the various schemes therein. The many changes proposed are set to take effect from April 2015. The
Local Lodging: making the most of tax breaks
While much of the interest in the new legislation regulating Local Lodging has focussed on simplified requirements for owners, the most exciting news centres around the favourable taxation of this
New EU law on automatic exchange of information
EU member states have agreed to apply the widest possible scope of mandatory automatic exchange. Automatic exchange of information will enable tax authorities to compare data received on taxpayers’ financial
Is Portugal tax taxing for you?
My article last week looked at the UK tax changes which could affect British expatriates in Portugal. Of course anyone living here, of any nationality, needs to understand how all
The cost of living longer
Provided we are of sound health and mind, most of us would relish the prospect of a nice long life. We would have more time to enjoy the company of