Registering for IVA

Hi all

I've finally taken the plunge and registered as autonomo. Does anyone know how long it takes for my IVA to register in the VIES system? Is it just a case of waiting or do I need to fill in more forms? I've found some suppliers but can't purchase anything until the number registers.

Many thanks.

Spain does not automatically upload VAT registrations and certainly not autonimo since every self-employed person is VAT registered and in Spain unlike other countries there is no registration limit.

The tax office does not really understand why a small self-employed person would be transacting business outside of the Spanish empire!!!

Anyway you need to complete modelo 036 and tick modificacion box 130 - Solicitud de alta/baja en el registro de operadores intracomunitarios.

Present the form for stamping at your tax office. I can't remember what you need to bring with you so to be on the safe side bring everything you have if you don't have identity card - so maybe in your case passport + NIE cert?

Then I think in about 7 days your VAT number will validate on the EU database.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/vieshome.do

 I will shortly organise a competition on modelos and see who knows by number what each modelo is used for - the tax office only know what half of the forms are for ..... but no one knows what they are all used for ... it's quite funny if you ask what you should do next at the tax office - blank face and I don't know I just stamp this form!!!!

Another competition will be who can find all the little tax offices that exist - especially the ones hidden away - sometimes only 2 staff - but each office must have a security guard - so there's another job created.

Also now that you are all legal you won't have much time to run your business with all the little filings unless you engage a gestoria ........................

Word of warning don't employ anyone outside family - I'm being serious here.

Thanks Faro,

I registered with modelo 037. Will this have the same affect or do I now need to complete 036 as well. I have a spanish speaking gestoria, but as my spanish is only passable, I'm not sure that I have explained myself correctly.

Your comments on not employing anyone outside of family is interesting- what are the dangers?

It probably does if the right boxes were ticked at the time of completing and presenting the form - check with gestoria

I found out all about this when I could not understand why my Spanish VAT number would not validate and when I asked at the tax office I was told to conmplete modelo 036 and then they would upload my VAT number to EU database.

Employees in Spain are highly protected as well as having high social insurance contributions so just be careful before you enter into full time contracts. I personally would never employ anyone in Spain. A Spanish person will always win in a tribunal against an extranjero.

Also you might need to keep an eye on tax as in some areas you are obliged to retain tax prior to making an overseas payment unless you hold a certificate of residency from the entity to whom you are remitting funds.

Keep asking lots of questions otheriwse tax problems can come back to haunt you.

Also you might want to consider onshore & offshore activity and keep offshore activity outside Spain in terms of receiving payment and paying taxes etc.

The tax office can't keep track of non-resident people. We here  - we're not here - operating in a virtual world....... UK companies - UK bank accounts ..... non-resident tax status.

Try to keep as few Spanish assets as possible in your name - that is how much I trust the Spanish tax authorities!