LEGAL UPDATE
============

The new system regarding NIE/NIF numbers is now up and running.
For the foreseeable future, all applicants wishing to obtain a
new number have to attend the national police station in person
with their passport with one photocopy and a passport photo.
Whilst a third party in possession of a signed authorisation can
collect the number once it has been assigned (usually three weeks),
it is not possible for anyone else to apply for the number on
your behalf. In some cases, people are coming to Spain on short
breaks and signing contracts to buy a property, so they do not
have time to go to Denia/ Benidorm/Alicante to present the NIF
papers. They may then not returning to Spain until signing of the
deeds or escritura is to take place. If a Spanish mortgage is
involved in the purchase, the documents cannot be signed unless
the mortgagees have a NIF number. In these cases, it is possible
to request a provisional number from the tax office in Denia.
Provisional numbers are only granted when tax has to be paid, so
cannot be requested on a general basis, but this is at least an
alternative to be considered so completion does not have to be
delayed.

Residencias 
===========

The National Police in Alicante are currently working on
residence permit applications for July 2002. If you applied
before this date, you can telephone 96 514 66 00 to check if your
application is has been granted or concedida. You will need to
quote your NIF number and surname so your papers can be checked.
Please remember that very little if any English is spoken by the
police and they are very busy. This means it is often difficult
to get through on the telephone. If your permit is ready for
processing, you need to go to C/ Pintor Lorenzo Casanova 6 in
Alicante, taking with you your passport, two more passport-style
photos and I suggest a brief note in Spanish explaining that
although you have not received the official letter of
confirmation, you have checked and your residency card is ready
for processing. If you have applied for a renewal you should also
take the existing card plus the renewal application form attached
to it. If you have moved since you requested the permit, you will
also need to take a certificate from the town hall
(empadronamientoj, showing your new address.

Renta (Income Tax Declarations)
===============================

I have subsequently been advised that the final date for giving
in your Renta or tax declaration is the end of June and not June
21 as previously stated. However, I would still urge everyone who
is resident and has prepared a declaration to give in their
papers at their bank prior to the last day of June, to avoid any
last minute panics. If your declaration is late you will have to
pay a penalty of approximately 5% of the tax to the tax office.

Registering on the Spanish health system
========================================

Most health centres are now requesting proof of address before
they will register you with a doctor. Therefore, once you have
obtained your provisional medical card from social security
office in Denia, you should go to your local town hall with your
passport and a copy of your deeds or a utility bill in your name,
and ask for a domicile  certificate (empadronamiento), which
confirms where your live. This needs to be shown to your local
health centre, along with the provisional health card, as soon as
possible so you can be registered on the system. Registering will
also instigate the preparation of a permanent health card, which
is no longer automatically processed.

SUma/Town Hall Vehicle Road Tax and Rubbish Removal Taxes
=========================================================

The voluntary payment period for vehicle tax and municipal taxes
has now ended. If you think you may not have paid either of these
taxes correctly, then you should check with your local Suma tax
office or town hall, as appropriate. It is probable a 20% fine
will now be levied on any unpaid bill and costs will continue to
mount whilst the bill remains outstanding. The next SUma/town
hall property tax due is the impuesto bienes inmuebles (rates),
which will be payable in August/September. Calpe residents will
also be charged the second instalment for Rubbish Removal Tax at
this time.