It’s Hard to Keep Up!

    Ecuador, along with many places, is changing at an accelerating rate.

Changes in political winds, economic activities and cultural norms are storming in faster than the influx of new residents.

    Cuenca has a new mayor, changing regulations, new electric tram under construction, and many improved roads and bicycle lanes.  Restaurants, special art and entertainment venues are springing up constantly.

    So…let’s update our Ebook, Thriving in Ecuador. 

We just completed our annual update including several new items and making numerous revisions. We now have over 40 chapters and 100+ pages.

             If ya want a copy by email, just click to the right>>>

File IRS FBAR forn 114 by JUNE 30

                               IRS FBAR Form 114

The nice government men  request we tell them annually all about our foreign financial holdings. The new Form 114  needs to be filed by June 30.  I suggest you file it electronically.  Then you will receive a confirmation email from the IRS. Keep a copy for your records.  The gentle penalties can be up to half of your account balance (willful fraud)!

Google IRS Form 114.       Or Go to :

 http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Report-of-Foreign-Bank-and-Financial-Accounts-FBAR 

You will see the official site with instructions.  

Click on  "BSA E-Filing System" (in red), click "Leave IRS site", click "Report FBAR", Click "Prepare FBAR".  Later click "file FBAR”

If you have a total of over $10,000 in financial institutions (including Credit unions, Coops, etc.) you must file by June 30 (no extensions).

The Form 114 must show the highest balance for each account during 2013.

Note:  Form 114A does need to be filed.

 

The IRS helps number for FBAR is (866) 270-0733

Hope this helps,     Gary

Trecer Edad!

                                ! Tercer Adad !

Yes, there is reason to celebrate getting older.  Tercer Edad (the third age)!

Now, at age 65, I can go to a separate line at the bank for seniors, handicapped, etc rather than wait in long lines.  Lan and Tame have half price tickets for air travel.  My property taxes and electricity bills (up to 120 kw/month) are also discounted after I endure the required procedures. Notaries may also give you half price on their expensive fees when buying a condo.

Best of all the 12% IVA (sales taxes) are refunded after registering at the SRI office.  The maximum monthly refund is $ 191.  The registration process requires:

 Visit the SRI (think IRS) office on Remigo Crespo, a block east of Loja Avenue.   It is the four story white building with the “smiley face” painted on the window.  Try arriving at 8am to avoid some of the crowds.  Bring something to read while waiting.  You will need original and copy or your passport and Cedula, a utility bill to prove you live here, and a bit of patience.

Get in line and proceed to the helpful guide who is bilingual.  Simple say “Tercer Edad” and he will give you a ticket number for your time at the Caja.  He will give you a bank registration form to take to your bank to certify that you have a local bank for direct deposit of your monthly reimbursement.

Take the bank form to the main bank office for signature.  Make a copy, then return to SRI  with all documents.  Your data will be entered into the computer and you will be given a form to fill out when you turn in your original receipts next month for reimbursement.  The receipts must have your cedula number and name on them.

Since my cedula ends with  a 1,2, or 3  I submit my receipts with the reimbursement form  during the first week of the month. Cedulas with a ninth digit of 4,5,6 submit on the 10 to 16 of the month; those ending with 7,8,9, or 0 submit on the 19 to 26 of month. 

Take your form upstairs to second floor to be edited before returning downstairs to caja 103 to turn it in.  You will also need a copy of your cedula, the Servicio de Renta Internas given to you when you first registered, and a copy of your Bank Registration form.  Your reimbursement will appear in your banco in a few weeks.  It may take longer the first time.   Whew!