I have just been told by my accountant about a rather large fee relating to my car appearing in my tax account. I have no idea what this is about, whether it is some kind of motoring offence or whatever. I certainly don't know of anything I have done wrong but who knows? I have never receieved any notification about anything either.
Is there anywhere online you can find out whether you have committed a traffic offence which you know nothing about?
Thanks
There is a transfer tax and 'admin' charge to pay when you buy a car. The tax, I believe, is 4% plus â,¬40 admin.
Did you get a receipt for this when you purchased?
Motoring offences would normally be sent to you, either at your address in Fuerte or UK.
I bought the car from Orvecame in April 2014 and paid the tax at the time to them.
But this 'fee' is for â,¬1080 ......Yikes!! It just doesn't seem to give any indication on the paperwork what this is for.
I would try googling anything on the paper work to get a proper idea what it is or at least who it is from.
Did you pay the tax over and above the sale price of the car or was it included in the 'screen price'?
Thanks for your help Deso.
No, the tax was shown on the invoice and paid to Orvecame along with the cost of the car and was 13.5%.
The figures don't really tie up as 4% is nowhere near what the fee is.
I've tried translating sections of the 5 pages but most of it is standard apart from the bit that lists my reg no....very puzzling indeed
It is probably a long shot, but when you purchase a car the debt from the previous car owner carries over the new owner. It could be something along those lines, good luck in getting it sorted.
Surely your accountant can explain what it is? I would expect my accountant to do some investigation if it appeared from the authorities.
Yes indeed my accountant is going to the Tax Office ASAP to get an answer....it's just seems so strange. As the previous owners were Orvecame(Cicar) I can't see there being any outstanding debt.
There just seems no indication on the paperwork as to what it's for.
Have you checked on the Boletin?
http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/ (http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/)
Looking closely at one of the pages I came across the following phrases which seems to suggest its import duty. As I bought from this used car from Orvecame I am surprised at this as I thought they would have taken care of all the paperwork.....or am I missing something? I guess it's a trip down there this morning to find out more...
tourismo national importacion and tipo de derecho
Hopefully, it is just a receipt and not a bill. :-\
Unfortunately I think it's definitely a bill...it's got Embargo plastered all over the pages!
Well, this is a real cliff hanger! Hope you get it sorted without having to pay - surely they would not be just "trying it on"?
Quote from: emmi on January 05, 2016, 09:40:00 AM
Well, this is a real cliff hanger! Hope you get it sorted without having to pay - surely they would not be just "trying it on"?
So do I Emmi, I come out here to get AWAY from stress!
Methinks a trip down to Orvecame is on the cards, pronto!!
Any news? We are waiting with baited breath here. :o
Went down to Orvecame who were very helpful but as much in the dark as me although I did leave the page suggesting it was Import Tax in my scanner so couldn't show them it😟
The only place to find out is the Tax Office and I have a meeting with them on Thursday, so watch this space!
One thing I did find out though is that the Embargo is on my car, so if it doesn't get sorted soon they will take my car away!
Good luck in the Tax Office Decho, my few experiences have always finished in tears because of the Language Barrier, not the friendliest bunch of people I have met.
Quote from: Tamkid on January 05, 2016, 22:51:21 PM
Good luck in the Tax Office Decho, my few experiences have always finished in tears because of the Language Barrier, not the friendliest bunch of people I have met.
Thanks Tamkid, I'm taking a translator with me to help.
Quote from: decho on January 04, 2016, 22:42:07 PM
Yes indeed my accountant is going to the Tax Office ASAP to get an answer....it's just seems so strange. As the previous owners were Orvecame(Cicar) I can't see there being any outstanding debt.
There just seems no indication on the paperwork as to what it's for.
Motoring offences committed by drivers of hire car vehicles that aren't fined on the spot are charged to the hire company, sometimes well after the event. It could be something like this that was only processed after you became the legal owner. You may remember the post I did regarding my Dutch friends who received a parking fine for 601â,¬ seven months after their alleged offence in a hire car. They successfully appealed on the basis that the GPS co-ordinates supplied in the paperwork placed the car out in the sea between Grandes Playas and Lobos!
I hope this is not the case for you as it puts everyone who buys a second hand car at risk of one of these fines appearing out of the blue.
I too await the outcome of your case with bated breath!
Quote from: TamaraEnLaPlaya on January 06, 2016, 23:47:45 PM
Quote from: decho on January 04, 2016, 22:42:07 PM
Yes indeed my accountant is going to the Tax Office ASAP to get an answer....it's just seems so strange. As the previous owners were Orvecame(Cicar) I can't see there being any outstanding debt.
There just seems no indication on the paperwork as to what it's for.
Motoring offences committed by drivers of hire car vehicles that aren't fined on the spot are charged to the hire company, sometimes well after the event. It could be something like this that was only processed after you became the legal owner. You may remember the post I did regarding my Dutch friends who received a parking fine for 601â,¬ seven months after their alleged offence in a hire car. They successfully appealed on the basis that the GPS co-ordinates supplied in the paperwork placed the car out in the sea between Grandes Playas and Lobos!
I hope this is not the case for you as it puts everyone who buys a second hand car at risk of one of these fines appearing out of the blue.
I too await the outcome of your case with bated breath!
Thanks Tamara I remember your post and since then I am very careful not to park down there, although dozens of cars are still parked there every day. If I've done something wrong I will pay the price for it but I try very hard to stick to the rules and what really bothers me is that the first I knew about this was when my accountant was preparing my Tax forms for 2016, it was flagged on my account.
If this turns out to be a case of a past infringement and you did a debt check when you bought the vehicle which came up clear, you would have thought this would be defence enough.
Otherwise, even though you have done things correctly, you still end up copping for the penalty. :o
Anyway, good luck with your visit today.
Ok, so here's the story...not good but never mind.
There was a speeding fine issued in Nov 2014 for â,¬300. We were not using the car at the time but a friend was. We weren't even on the island. They sent out the recorded letter asking who was driving which I never got despite being recorded delivery...was not on the island at the time and nothing was left in the mail box. So on non disclosure it was tripled to â,¬900 and then when passed to the Tax people another â,¬180 Euros added. So total bill comes to â,¬1080....Nice!
Don't think there is much can be done, just have to pay it and put it down to experience, what is disturbing is the breakdown in communication meaning you can rack up this kind of fine without knowing anything about it! A VERY expensive lesson!
Still it's a lovel day here🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Oh dear, not a good outcome. Maybe a word with your friend
who committed the offence?
Hope you wished the Tax Office Feliz Año nuevo !
On a serious note though, it is a problem when you don't receive post. I NEVER receive post at my house even though it is in central down town Caleta. I often wonder if a letter lies lurking somewhere containing bad news. Note to self - a visit to the main post office in Antigua is now in my diary to try and get to the bottom of the problem.
Quote from: emmi on January 07, 2016, 14:51:01 PM
Oh dear, not a good outcome. Maybe a word with your friend
who committed the offence?
Hope you wished the Tax Office Feliz Año nuevo !
On a serious note though, it is a problem when you don't receive post. I NEVER receive post at my house even though it is in central down town Caleta. I often wonder if a letter lies lurking somewhere containing bad news. Note to self - a visit to the main post office in Antigua is now in my diary to try and get to the bottom of the problem.
Have to say the guy in the Tax Office was quite sympathetic, only doing his job and said it might be worth going to Traffico...but then that means having to go down to Rosario again and pay for the translator again...and so the cost goes up even more...with probably no positive outcome.
Yes indeed I will be having a wee word with my friend. To be fair though anybody can get done for speeding although I know myself I do try to keep within the limit although it's easy sometime to drift upwards without realising. But if we had known about it we could have paid up quick and got 50% discount so â,¬150 and the matter would be finished with, that's what's really annoying. I wonder if the recorded letter is still at the local post office? And would they give it to me as I don't have the yellow slip that should have been left?
Yes I agree speed is sometimes hard to keep low. I was stopped and fined last year for speeding - and I NEVER speed! But at least it was done and dusted on the spot. Was pulled in and fined.
I think at Trafico, there is an English speaking officer. It might be worth a try if you have the time and inclination. If they know the facts, they may be sympathetic and reduce the fine. And pigs might fly!
Hi Decho, that's a bit of a bsrd, absolute rip off in the first degree, but something to think about. Keep an eye on your bank account outgoings, I know a couple on Tamaragua that had the same speeding fine taken out of their account three times.
That is really harsh, decho, I sympathise. Like the great majority on here, I hope, I try my darnedest to abide by all the traffic rules, especially speeds, but I too lend my car to family when they visit, and have probably just been lucky so far.
I also share emmi's problem of erratic post in Caleta, not helped by the fact that every property around here has at least two different numbers on the gate, and it's entirely possible others among us could have fines we are not aware of. Does anyone know if it is possible to check online anywhere, to see if anything is outstanding? Yes, I know, but thought I'd ask!
this is just ANOTHER lesson learned...I have done this so many times since buying out here in 2013.
Never mind the sun is shining, it's been lovely and warm today and nobody died!
may be wrong but seem to recall you can check on-line for any offences relating to trafico.....remember going through trafico website once (at least think it was theirs) and there was an option to enter matricula and nie etc and find out any offences outstanding.
To be honest paid my fine on-line with card and probably easiest bit of spanish paperwork ever done....enter barcode number....fine shows on screen, enter credit card number, receipt printed ....done....if only everything else was that easy
If you can remember the website I would be eternally grateful. I just don't trust the post out here and it's not helped by the fact that our postboxes are in a terrible state and not secure.
Try a search on the Boletin, name or NIE, and see if that throws anything up.
http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/
It's a real bummer - and your 'friend' must have been a fair way over the speed limit to be fined 300â,¬ in the first instance. Lesson to be learned by us all, let friends use hire cars, not yours!
Postal deliveries: there seem to be several reasons that I have come across for post not being delivered out here, apart from the obvious 'no address /stamp on envelope' or the postie putting the letter in the wrong postbox.
1. When the properties are first in the planning stages they are allocated addresses based on plot numbers/phases etc. After they are completed they are allocated street names and numbers. Owners then sometimes add a name to the property themselves. Some data bases still hold the original details and don't recognise the newer details. Telefonica is a good example of not always holding the current details but the detail as it was when the original infrastructure was being put in.
2. Apparently the property/complex etc needs to be registered with the Correos service and have a street number plaque on the wall in order for Correos to have a responsibility for delivering to it - I've been told this is the case in Tenerife so is probably the same here.
Quote from: decho on January 07, 2016, 14:18:04 PM
Ok, so here's the story...not good but never mind.
There was a speeding fine issued in Nov 2014 for â,¬300. We were not using the car at the time but a friend was. We weren't even on the island. They sent out the recorded letter asking who was driving which I never got despite being recorded delivery...was not on the island at the time and nothing was left in the mail box. So on non disclosure it was tripled to â,¬900 and then when passed to the Tax people another â,¬180 Euros added. So total bill comes to â,¬1080....Nice!
Don't think there is much can be done, just have to pay it and put it down to experience, what is disturbing is the breakdown in communication meaning you can rack up this kind of fine without knowing anything about it! A VERY expensive lesson!
Still it's a lovel day here🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
And now the solution............
Firstly you have to work out if the embargo is legal - you didn't receive notification (the undelivered recorded delivery letter is in your file at the tax office, but they won't give it to u), so they were then legally obligated to put a notice in either the BOP, BOC or BOE. So that's where u start. If your NIE or name is not in there the embargo is illegal. If it is in there, tough luck and pay up-
If its not in there, u need to file a formal complaint with the Diputado del Comun, explaining ur case about no notification and the embargo, etc. This might get the embargo reversed and then the whole process starts from the failed delivery of the letter.
U can complain to the tax office also from a procedural point of view, but they will just ignore it and fob u off with legal stuff.
If the embargo gets reversed u then give the name and address of ur EX- friend to the authorities so that they can pursue it.
Important note.......complaining doesn't stop any other procedures from progressing, so whilst waiting for a result u might have to payup and get the money back if u win. Obviously, u will be demanding at least half the total costs from ur EX-friend.
Final note.......we successfully had an embargo from Agencia Tributaria (different matter) reversed and all money paid back with interest, by using the Diputado del Comun (All to do with undelivered notification - the scum sent the letter on the day of the general strike in NOVEMBER 2014, knowing that it would never get delivered!!). It's all about getting the system to fight the system. On ur own, u haven't a hope.
Thank you Calculator for your VERY useful input. I will take a look on this site. I did try searching without any success but I will try again using my NIE and name.
To be fair to the person who committed the offence he is not an EX-friend. He was mortified when he heard what had happened and is helping to put it right. Everyone can make a mistake and he would have happily paid the fine there and then had he known about it.
Try buscamultas.com which is a free service to check for driving tickets.....not officially linked to trafico but worth a try
Quote from: fourthwisemonkey on January 08, 2016, 10:09:44 AM
Try buscamultas.com which is a free service to check for driving tickets.....not officially linked to trafico but worth a try
Yep thanks, found it on there(see below) but cant find any reference on the BOLETIN site.
16/05/2015 TESTRA TESTRA_Traslado de resolución JEFATURA PROVINCIAL DE TRÃFICO DE LAS PALMAS
06/02/2015 TESTRA TESTRA_Notificación de denuncia / Requerimiento de Identificación JEFATURA PROVINCIAL DE TRÃFICO DE LAS PALMAS
we keep hearing that spain are in dire straight's finacially, i'm far from an economist, but when you see the amount of money generated from tourism alone, it just make's yer wonder, then i would imagine the next big input would be export's from farming etc. ........so, all these fine's from traffic "offence's" seem's they are clawing every cent they can, probably mostly for the canary isles, and nothing goes to the main land. a real sickener that happened to me last yr. was when i pulled in for petrol at the atlantico caleta, as i approached the pump a toyota camry screamed in front of me and almost took my front wing off, i first thought some idiot was trying to jump ahead of me, until i copped their uniform's, two guarda civil, so i opened my door and one of em stood there and literally watched while i unbuckled my seatbelt. lookily he spoke very good english and of course i asked what was the problem, you'd think i'd robbed a bank by the way they drove in, but he said i was being fined for NOT wearing a seatbelt, my belt i had going under my arm does exactly the same job, because i had a bit of a sore on my neck and the belt was chafing on it, this i explained and he said i needed a medical cert but he could see it. so they were on a mission that happen's from time to time on fuerte, get in as much money as they can, any which way, and true enough there is nowhere to question it, apparently any fine goes automaticly to madrid to be processed, and just to finish, the other guy got out the unmarked car with what i thought was a breathalizer, no probs there it was mid day, but it was a cash card machine, the fine was for â,¬200, but pay there and then and they so kindly knocked 50% off, not sure if you can be done "off road", but it was the most expensive petrol stop i ever did. :o >:(
A ruthless breed, the Guardia, not to be messed with.
Can put up with that. its the arrogance that goes with it i find hard to accept.