Imogen Calderwood
A CHICLANA expat association has launched a petition to protest against ‘unfair’ property taxes.
The group, IBI Real, has collected more than 8,000 signatures protesting charges for IBI – similar to UK council tax.
Spokesperson Major Bill Davie, insists that the incorrectly-calculated tax is affecting most families in the Chiclana area. IBI Real are demanding an urgent review of the tax.
“This petition should send a firm signal that the people of Chiclana are angry,” Davie said. “IBI Real needs everyone to step forward and be counted by signing the petition.”
The petition will be delivered to the Hacienda in Madrid.
IBI Real hosts outdoor surgeries where people can sign the petition and get advice and help in Spanish and English.
The surgeries are held outside the town hall from 10am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.
See the website www.asociacionibichiclana.com for more information.
This problem is affecting households across most of Spain. Properties have halved in price in some places, and yet IBI stays constant (although some discounts have been made this year I have heard from some friends in Malaga) but it is still wildly disproportionate. Best get used to it, this is what living in Spain is partly about i.e. scammy ways.
seriously considered methods of calculating council tax, here in chiclana: the size of your car port (easily seen on google maps), or the size of your driveway gate (irrispective of *any* other fact), and even how many buildings (sheds) you have. Its truely barmy!
silly expats, just dont pay anything like the locals.