TAX DEMANDS SENT TO NON RESIDENT PROPERTY OWNERS
The Spanish tax authorities – Hacienda – have begun a new campaign to ensure that non-residents who own property in Spain do pay their taxes. For many years we have been advising property owners of the importance of paying this tax annually. Now the tax authorities are actually sending demands giving an estimated or provisional […]
Have you got a will – Important changes from 2015
Free disposition of assets has a long tradition in England & Wales and you will have heard stories of wealthy individuals leaving all their assets to friends or even the local dog’s home. In one recent case a Judge had to decide if the owners of a local Chinese restaurant could receive their inheritance from […]
Latest news on inheritance tax reclaims

In September 2014, the European court has decided that Spain has been discriminating against non residents by charging inheritance tax where a resident would be exempt from tax. The decision in Commission v Spain Case C-127/12 states that this discrimination is unlawful. At present most inheritance tax allowances in Spain are regional and only apply […]
ENGLISH INTESTACY LAW CHANGES

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ENGLISH INTESTACY LAWS The law of England and Wales on intestacy, dying without a will, has been changed. The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act of 2014 has substantially changed the law. Previously where a husband, wife or civil partner had not left a will and there were no children the surviving spouse […]
The Spanish Economy and Tax Cuts

This last year has seen an alarming rise in the number of young people leaving Spain to seek work abroad. The UK has been one of the most popular destinations with a 50% increase in the number of Spanish people registering for a National Insurance number in 2013. Traditionally the northern Europeans have come to […]
Finding Lost Relatives and Heirs to Spanish Property, By De Cotta Law
As a law firm serving the international community in Spain, we are often approached by ‘heir-hunters’ or companies who specialise in tracing lost relatives. Over the last 30 or more years of immigration, residence and property purchase by British nationals many properties have been purchased. In some cases these people have lost contact with their […]
What to do if you suffer a bereavement in Spain – Wills, Probate and Inheritance in Spain
Many British ex-patriots move to Spain later in life to enjoy their retirement in a warmer climate. An unfortunate consequence of this is that when they eventually pass away, the next of kin, whether here in Spain or back in the UK are confronted with dealing with the funeral arrangements and the inheritance matters. This […]
Holiday Home Owners Automatically Debited Taxes & Fines – The Spanish Tax Office is now issuing private bank embargoes for failure to pay non-resident taxes
With Spain’s desire to improve its public accounts deficit, the tax collecting infrastructure has been significantly improved, enabling the tax office to recoup back taxes faster and more efficiently than ever before. This now commonly includes automatic debiting of owed taxes and late payment fines direct from non-resident bank accounts in Spain. As a holiday […]
OPEN DAY – FREE CONSULTATIONS – TENERIFE – 18TH SEPTEMBER 2013
De Cotta Law, the Firm of English Lawyers and Spanish abogados with offices in the Canary Islands and Mainland Spain, are holding an Open Day in Tenerife on Wednesday 18th September 2013, from 9:30 to 17:00. Especially for the Open Day on Wednesday 18th September De Cotta Law specialist Barrister Overseas, Sandra Wrightson, will be […]
Reporting of Overseas Assets – Report from one of De Cotta Law’s business partner, BlevinsFranks
De Cotta Law works with a number of class-leading business partners to provide the best possible service to its clients. One of the firm's financial services partners is the company, BlevinsFranks This autumn they published an important report on Reporting Overseas Assets. Click to Download Spain Tax Update – Asset Reporting – Reporting of Overseas […]
Inheritance News from De Cotta Law – Intestacy – dying without a valid will
Inheritance news from De Cotta Law Valid wills The Spanish notarial system provides more security for those who make a valid will. This is because there is a Central Wills Registry where each notarial will is registered by the notary. The original will is always kept on the Protocol (archive) of the notary where you […]
Inheritance tax increases for the residents in the Canary Islands – by Vera Liprandi Lawyer with De Cotta Law
Below is an article from Vera Liprandi of De Cotta Law, Tenerife. For more information, book your FREE consultation on November, Tuesday 13th, during our Open Day, in partnership with BlevinsFranks. Inheritance tax increases for the residents in the Canary Islands On the 25th of June 2012 the Canary Islands Parliament approved Law 4/2012 which […]