I have received the following from my Portuguese solicitor:

Last year 2003, the Portuguese Government has passed a law regarding tax evasion and money laundering.

As a consequence the tax department are also tightening up their system in order to ensure compliance with the law which makes mandatory all non-resident (individuals or companies) to have a fiscal representative resident in Portugal.

A direct consequence of this legislation is that the tax authorities will not deliver the rates bills for 2003 or any other kind of communication, to anyone that is not the tax representative of the individual (or company).

In the same way, the payment of the rates is proving some how difficult by anyone who is not the fiscal representative.

This is in force NOW and the result of not paying rates is the confiscation of the property by the Finance Department.

In any transaction involving a property, the tax department are requesting now details of the fiscal representative.

It will be vital for you to appoint a fiscal representative who will have to go and register at your local tax department.

I had no trouble paying in March. Has anybody had trouble since?

Has anybody else heard of this?

If it is true, does anybody know of any good financial representatives in the local (Portimao - Silves - Lagoa - Carvoeiro) area?

Thats interesting....My Daughter has two properties here (I'm the caretaker !!! ) and I note that since she bought them 2 years ago the Rate bills have always gone to her Lawyer here who passes them on to her (Me) to pay...I've always wondered why...maybe that is now mandatory.....Also I note the actual rate bill has gone DOWN this year...Whoopee ..some good news at least...

Hi guest 1,

See Biffa's post in the property owners's section under IMI-Offshore.

Eventually send him a PM

Gerrit