! 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!
