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rog123 · Post by **rog123** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:05 pm

I've done about €400 worth of freelance work for a small company here and have now been told I'll need to give them my Contribuinte number (which I have) on a receipt before they'll pay it. There wont be any more work, and I've been warned by someone that that will trigger off tax bills where it'll be more cost and hassle than the amount I'm owed.
Anyone got any experience of this?
Thanks!

martin · Post by **martin** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:07 pm

welcome to the club

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:59 pm

Rog123,

It is fact of life in most countries that if you work and earn money then you have to declare that income and may have to pay tax - if what you earn is above the lower tax limit. It is how the country tries to balance its books.

You should register your activity with the local tax department and issue invoices or green receipts.

The firm you worked for would then pay you and probably retain some tax at source. Early next year you would file a tax return and pay the balance due or receive a refund if the tax retained was already more than you owed.

I think this is quite normal really and not complicated.

Mexican Pete · Post by **Mexican Pete** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:36 pm

I’m not prone to quoting the US government, but the inscription on the IRS's building in Washington is one I do like - "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society." I know it begs a question, but the right sentiment's there

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:16 am

"Nothing is certain but death and taxes"

Several famous authors have uttered lines to this effect. The first was Daniel Defoe, in 'History of the Devil', 1726: "Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed."

Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) used the form we are currently more familiar with, in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789: "'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Another thought on the theme of death and taxes is Margaret Mitchell's line from her book, 'Gone With the Wind', 1936: "Death taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them."

Al Capone regrets not making a three-line declaration, too!

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:09 am

Nobody likes them but we all have to pay taxes

CM · Post by CM » Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:39 am

Del Boy ? and erm....... printers

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:31 pm

Is there a certain amount you can earn here before you pay tax, does anyone know?

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:53 pm

Also, slightly off subject, does anyone know how easy it is to borrow money here, either from a bank or, (for example) to buy a car at a car dealer?

Thank you

rog123 · Post by **rog123** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:02 am

Thanks Biffa for info, but as Misty says, I wonder if there is a minimal amount - like the UK - after which tax becomes payable.

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:38 am

I guess everyone on here living in Portugal must be self-sufficient then

Does no one pay income tax?

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