Newintavira - I don't have any practical tips or advice to impart as we are only in Portugal for part of our year. However, I do think the above comment is a little harsh and not very helpful as to me, you seem to have tried to do everything right and in a way that the majority of people on message boards usually advocate - learn the language etc etc.

I just hope you manage to find a way through this and don't become so downhearted that you feel you have to head back to the UK. I know you say that it's too late now because you've already raised your head above the parapet, but are any of the Portuguese authorities actually chasing you? Perhaps this is far too simplistic a view of your situation, but what would happen now if you just sat back and did nothing, apart from shifting your activities around as has been suggested above?

With respect, that is utter nonsense.

I see trying to do the right thing and pay our dues in the country we have chosen to call home as a far more respectful way to try to integrate than the "stay under the radar" approach.

The fact is, the EU laws are actually pretty clear with regards to where we should all pay tax, declare residency etc, and this is all we are trying to do. The fact that so many British immigrants choose to ignore the rules or adopt their own interpretations of them for their own benefit hinders those of us who prefer, from a moral standpoint, to try our very best to follow the letter of the law.

Obviously our own particular case is really down to the camara interpreting EU rules incorrectly, but you can't help but wonder if their awkward attitude is borne of a widespread knowledge that a LOT of expats are doing all they can to duck under the radar and avoid their legal responsibilities - and as ever in life, it's us honest folk who get stitched up.

If you have a more intelligent suggestion than what is, in my view, the stereotypical "stubbornly British" stick-two-fingers-up-at-the-rules suggestion of staying under the radar, then please let me know - otherwise, may I politely ask that you refrain from any more harsh and incorrect judgements.
B

Thank you Golfister - I am glad you concur that that post was harsh as I was questioning whether I was being over-sensitive due to stress and lack of sleep! Anyone who has read my blog will know that I am as far from "stubbornly British" as it's possible to be.

We are seeing our lawyer again this afternoon where we will continue our quest to do everything properly. Our strategy for now is going to remain that of trying to be honest upstanding citizens!

Hear hear!!!

Yes and "hear hear" from me too!

Good luck with your lawyer today.

[QUOTE=newintavira;9404715]Thank you Golfister Anyone who has read my blog will know that I am as far from "stubbornly British" as it's possible to be.
QUOTE]

I do read your blog and agree fulheartedly that you are definitely NOT "stubbornly British".

Hope you get good news/advice from the new Lawyer.

Saz1

That's alright.

Your earlier post indicated that with hindsight, you'd rather go under the radar from the start. Have you changed your mind since that post?

Well what I said was:

"We have a lawyer working on it, but to no avail, and are already on our third accountant after the first two just advised us to “stay under the radar.” Something perhaps we should have listened to."

We have never wanted to stay under the radar - quite the opposite, hence going to 3 accountants before finding one willing to help us go legit. Exasperation, however, led us to wonder whether we were on a hiding to nothing by trying to follow the law. Time will tell how this pans out for us....

I also love to read your blog and agree with Sazi that you are definitely not 'stubbornly British'. I really hope you reach a satisfactory conclusion to this dilemma.

Maybe go back with your lawyer and your tax return? Lawyer can shout and wave paper around. Government employees love paper.....

What you said was actually this:

Sounds like yestersday going under the radar was not just acceptable, but you wished you've done it from the start.

This morning this same idea is not "intelligent" though.

With respect, I'm not sure that what Ben wanted to be "undone" was being on the radar, so much as other steps that have been taken along the way.

This thread is becoming a dig at him and his efforts to become a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen in Portugal.
How is twisting his words and taking them out of context helpful in any way?

Ben, you KNOW you have my empathy and sympathy. And you know where I am if you want to scream/yell/share/vent without judgment!

FWIW and IMHO.....if one wanted to go under radar, having "Ben" flagged on the site, and various blogs and websites....ain't the way to do. All governments are short of cash, and will have over-enthusiastic 'HMRC' pursuit teams using these forums and social networks to build profiles of targets.

Just stick to legit path for now....

BA

Agreed. They don't make it easy though sometimes, do they?

Bloody terrible, and self-defeating - that is what gets me.

We tried to go legit in all aspects...now quietly withdrawing, step by step, unwrapping ourselves.

No motivation for FDI, entrepreneurs, etc. We now have only tiny % of Net Wealth here....and will not open business activities. Even local PT bank could not guarantee funds would not be converted to Escudos....so account closed, and funds removed abroad this week.

Lunacy, for a country needing to re-invest itself in the face of stiff competition & currency advantages from Central Europe and Asian.

It is a good case, for Brussels (or Germans) to take over the management of the country's fiscal affairs, aka Poland dismemberment etc in 18th century. Portuguese politicians should accept that they are unable to manage.

Ho hum. Off for wonderful fish lunch....so shouldn't complain