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Plumbing: could you tap into the trade, or is it just a pipe dream?

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You could reap many different benefits from pursuing and developing a career in plumbing. The plumbing sector is rich in varied employment opportunities, while wages can be solid. You can also sustain a plumbing career in the long term, with posts in the likes of design and teaching available. See the most recommended online schools for plumbing here for yourself.

However, keep in mind that you will need to tick many different boxes in your journey towards becoming a fully qualified and competent plumber. These questions particularly warrant thought…

Do you have the right attributes for plumbing?

The day-to-day responsibilities of plumbing lend themselves well to practical people who derive satisfaction from completing the necessary responsibilities to their optimum ability.

You will particularly heavily draw upon maths, engineering and science skills in carrying out your plumbing work, so consider verifying that you hold GCSEs at A to C grades in all three subjects. You also need the trustworthiness to attract customers and communication skills to deal with them.

Are you patient enough to complete the relevant courses?

If your GCSE grades aren’t quite up to scratch, you could start by tackling that issue – but it would be only the tip of the iceberg that is undertaking effective study for plumbing work.

That’s because your study journey could require you to also collect a Diploma in Plumbing Foundation as well as NVQ Level 1, 2 and 3 courses in plumbing. WaterSafe warns against taking intensive or distance learning courses that skimp on practical theory or re-enforced learning.

Could you practically get work experience?

WaterSafe advises that you embark on an accredited course, such as an NVQ Level 2 course, at a recognised training provider, like a college. That course should include an adequate amount of practical study primed for helping you to become fully qualified as a plumber.

Hence, your college may attempt to arrange work experience for you with a local plumbing company. Still, with most one-man band plumbers unable to financially take on trainees, it would be helpful for you to apply for your own work placement by sending your CV to local plumbing firms.

Would you be willing to keep developing your expertise?

While completing the NVQ Level 2 – or, in Scotland, SVQ 2 – course would enable you to qualify as a plumber, it would be the bare minimum requirement, warns Local Heroes.  

You could further add to your qualifications – and, indeed, your skills base – by undertaking the NVQ Level 3 course, or SVQ 3 course in Scotland, as well. Reaching this level can be a three-year journey but mark you out as officially competent in plumbing – a big plus point for when you look for new work.

Could you afford the required insurance?

Though your annual financial takings as a plumber could reach as high as £40,000, the costs of tax, petrol, tools and parking will come out of that. You might also need to pay for insurance, but the broker Be Wiser Business Insurance offers no obligation insurance quote comparison for tradesmen.

How to avoid a January sales slump

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The festive period is undeniably the busiest time of year for retailers, and with the public gripped by the Christmas spirit, the exuberance of the season leads most of us to spend heavily. In fact, UK consumers are estimated to collectively shell out a mind-blowing £446,000 every minute of every day on presents during December.

But after the highs of December come the lows of January, and even with the long-advertised January Sales, most stores struggle to meet targets as a result of the public’s reluctance to spend after Christmas. January and February are typically two of the lowest spending months of the year, but that doesn’t mean retail spending stops entirely. It simply means that as a retailer, you need to go above and beyond to connect with your audience and entice them to your store.

If you are worried about a slow start to the year yourself, then take note of the following tips to stave it off and begin the new year with a flourish.

Generate buzz by hosting an event

45% of global consumers say they would happily pay more for a better retail experience, so hosting an in-store event can give your brand an invaluable marketing boost. However, putting on the right type of event is essential, and the only way you can do this is by closely considering your customers—who exactly your audience is, and what kind of activities they’d enjoy.

Take Adidas’ award-winning “Jump Store pop-up as a shining example of a successful event that was tailor made for a brand’s customer base. Designed in collaboration with retail design agency Form Room, members of the public were given the opportunity to (literally) grab a free pair of Adidas trainers. All they had to do was jump and grab one of the 120 pairs laid out on a platform ten feet above the ground (the same height as a basketball rim) within the time it takes to make a play in a basketball game. By integrating an activity that was sure to appeal to Adidas’ sporty customer base with the promise of free merchandise, the campaign tied in perfectly with their brand. What’s more, the “Jump Store” generated roughly £2 million of free media for the brand, showing just how profitable a promotional event can be.

Increase your advertising spend

Hosting an event is the not only way to ramp up your advertising efforts during the potentially fallow early months of a new year. British brands fork out a significant chunk of their advertising budget in the run-up to Christmas, with 28% of total advertising spend in 2017 being invested in Christmas adverts. So by optimising your advertising presence in January and February, you’ll steal the limelight from competitors, and increase your own brand’s visibility at their expense.

Marketing can take many forms, some more expensive than others, and the accessibility of social media advertising is an ideal place for the uncertain to start. The likes of Facebook and Twitter let you target specific demographics, so you can advertise directly to your core audience. Just be sure to get clued up on the art of social media advertising before you throw stacks of money at it.

Another worthwhile way to raise brand awareness is by advertising from your store itself. Window displays, merchandise and fixtures can all be leveraged to attract people to your store and increase footfall. As the face of your store, window displays are a particularly effective way to advertise to the public, so updating them regularly can emphasise different products at different peak sales times, as well as tell your brand’s story.

Encourage purchases with promotional offers

Did your brand offer discounts during Black Friday and Boxing Day? If so, these were probably some of the biggest reductions you offered all year, but you shouldn’t confine promotional efforts exclusively to these dates. Holding another promotion during January represents a great way to keep sales figures high and augment your other efforts to avoid a sales slump.

You might have to be creative to draw customers in, however. Offering smaller discounts than you did during the holidays may not be enough to appeal to your audience. There are many ways you can run creative promotions though, from launching new product bundles to running a buy one get one free offer—this also doubles up as a great way of getting rid of excess stock. You may also want to start a new loyalty scheme, or offer free shipping for online orders, if you didn’t already.

2019 Trends that are Shaping Technology

As the new year gets underway, CB Insights has put together a report on some of the top tech trends that will be shaping 2019. In particular, advancements in fintech detailed in the report will be of interest to business people such as Matthew Ledvina, director for a fintech company in London which focuses on asset-backed lending.

Hyper-Personalisation

Personalisation technology has been used for a long time to customise experiences for consumers when shopping online, playing games, streaming music, and all sorts of other activities. In 2019, it is predicted that personalisation will reach hyper levels, with an increase in collaborations across different industries. This prediction has been influenced by the 2018 collaboration between music streaming platform Spotify and Ancestry.com, which means data from DNA can be utilised to create personalised playlists linked to different regions and ethnicities. The beauty industry could also be exploring image recognition technologies to cater products tailored to individual customers. Both Apple and Amazon have received patents for personalising features such as responsive settings for automated vehicles.

Smart-Home Technology for Senior Citizens

As technology becomes ever more pervasive and tech-savvy generations get older, the market for technologies tailored to meet the needs of senior citizens is beginning to open up. While asking older people to actively input data on a regular basis may still be unlikely to catch on, there are a variety of emerging technologies that can assist with healthcare in the home passively, or by transmitting data directly to a carer if programmed to do so.

Sleep Technology

There are already smart products on the market that aim to help us get a better night’s rest by tracking sleep patterns, including smart pillows and mattresses. New wearable technology will be introduced into this category in 2019, such as sensors that monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleeping position, and other events that may cause sleep disruption, providing users with a sleep score.

Smart Buildings

It is not only our homes that are increasingly becoming equipped with smart technology. In 2019, we can expect to see a rise in smart buildings everywhere. The emphasis is on providing intuitive, comfortable work stations and offices that adapt to the individual needs and preferences of the user. These include technologies such as sensors that can track the number of people in a room, which will then be able to adjust the lighting levels or temperature accordingly. Occupancy metrics such as this not only help maintain a constantly comfortable level of heating or cooling, but also help increase energy efficiency by detecting when the room is empty and switching off accordingly.

Greener Transport and Logistics

The costs of buying and owning an electric vehicle, along with related factors that can cause inconvenience, mean that selling them to individuals is still not an easy task. However, areas where we may see a large increase in the use of electronic vehicles include public transport and logistics. The upfront costs to companies have been shown to pay for themselves over time, while aspects such as predictable routes and infrastructure that is easier to plan for make increased electrification in buses a strong likelihood in 2019. Greener vehicles are beginning to gain more traction in the logistics industry as well, with an increase in hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks.

Increased Opportunities for Tech Apprenticeships

Many tech companies are now beginning to offer their own training courses and apprenticeships to bridge the gap between academia and employability. Students can train to learn the specific skills they need to enter a specific job, while only having to pay tuition fees once they reach a certain pay range.

Shaping the future: How Zhejiang University transforms lives

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Shaping the future: How Zhejiang University transforms lives

HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 11, 2019 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/ —

Responsibility. Hard work. Loyalty. These are the three tenets of a good life according to Zhejiang University Associate Professor Imran Haider Shamsi; a man who embodies the university’s motto: seeking truth, pursuing innovation.

Eighteen years at ZJU has helped to cultivate Shamsi’s talent, from undergraduate student to Ph.D. and Postdoc holder to becoming its first foreign faculty member of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

“I was made in ZJU by ZJU and for ZJU,” says Shamsi. “I know my Pakistani ancestors and my family and my beliefs; I never lose my identity. But I have also adopted the Chinese culture with a very open heart.”

Having embraced the opportunities offered to him as a student of ZJU, Shamsi is deeply passionate about his role as a teacher helping nurture future generations of ZJU students and he has amassed multiple awards, including the first place in the 2016 National University Young Teacher’s competition. He believes ZJU, as one of China’s leading research-intensive universities, is providing a pioneering environment for the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

Academic freedom is felt throughout ZJU and positively encourages the pursuit of interdisciplinary collaboration, the application of research to real-world problems, and the exploration of new ideas and concepts.

It is an approach that manifests in ZJU’s International Design Institute, as its deputy director Lingyun Sun explains: “We are good at inviting professors and students from other majors to join us. We think the most creative area is where science meets art, meets design, meets engineering — these four areas coming together can provide immense opportunities.

“Our ideas are concerned with how we can invent the future and ZJU is unique because of the environment, because of our joint institute with Alibaba (the Chinese e-commerce giant headquartered in Hangzhou) and because of the local manufacturing background. It is very interesting for us to have the opportunity to encourage students to transfer their ideas into the market.”

The latest exhibition of ZJU design students’ work included origami robots, an electric bicycle and a technology pillow that helps users enter a shallow sleep by simulating the ‘white noise’ of nature. Additionally, a lighting product that was on show is proving a huge commercial success.

Innovation is also evident in the teaching at ZJU and in 2018 one of its most creative and popular instructors, Weng Kai, was honoured with the Yongping Outstanding Teaching Contribution Award. Across the 14 courses per year he teaches, Weng’s classes are heavily attended, while he has also attracted 2 million registrations for his Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

“I’m kind of a ‘wild’ teacher in that I wasn’t trained in a normal way. I graduated, thought maybe I could be good at teaching and wanted to do it,” offers Weng modestly when asked about his teaching style. “Actually, Zhejiang University has a very good tradition in how it teaches students. I graduated here, and I have the experience of the teachers here. I even use in my classes some of the examples taught to me by my teachers, so it’s like an inheritance, a legacy.”

Weng has been at the frontline of teaching and education reform at ZJU for 23 years. He believes that the close relationship between teachers and students at ZJU is crucial to success. “The students here feel part of a big family, we are quite close.”

Emphasising that point, Ma Keyi, an undergraduate in Chu Kochen Honours College, which is attended by the top 5% of ZJU’s students, is eager to give examples of how she has been supported in her endeavours.

“The college provides us with a lot of resources,” she says, “I have opportunities to do research and publish papers. Meanwhile, I can do internships to gain experience and put theory into practice. If you have an idea and you want to implement it the college will help you, if you want to study abroad the college will fund it, if you want to do anything that is valuable or meaningful the college supports you and will provide the resources.

ZJU also has an impressive record of supporting its students to achieve success in global competitions. In 2018 the university claimed victories at the Tokyo International Choir Competition, the RoboCup and the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition.

The RoboCup – a humanoid version of football’s World Cup – was held in Montreal, Canada and offered the team from ZJU the chance to demonstrate their innovative ideas in a competition that is designed to promote robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research, as well as push advances in technologies.

Chen Zexi, a member of the victorious team, revealed it was a surprise success: “We won the small size league. It was amazing. We won in 2013 and 2014 but this year we did not think about being champions because we were trying out new innovations. I have to give credit to the university for the great support we get and the funding.”

ZJU’s stated aims include advancing civilization, serving and leading society, and promoting national prosperity, social development and human progress. Its policies are providing the platforms for its students and staff to excel, just as it did with Shamsi nearly two decades ago. Wherever a person comes from, and whatever their background is, ZJU is eager to guide their evolution.

“A foreign talent should never consider themselves as a foreigner,” Shamsi says, “Instead, consider yourself as part of the society where you are and then you can contribute. Take responsibility for life, yourself, your work, your family and your organisation. Never be afraid of hard work. Show loyalty towards family, tradition, country, and the organisation you work for.

“I will tell you a secret: Every morning when I arrive at work at ZJU, I tell myself that it was ZJU that gave me respect and honour, and with this belief I start my day. This is the love I have for this college.”

Company Name: Zhejiang University
Contact Person: Ms. AI Ni
866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, P.R. China
Email: ai_ni@zju.edu.cn
Phone: +86-571-88206971
Country: China
Website: http://www.zju.edu.cn/english/

Managing the Finances After the Death of a Partner

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Losing somebody can be hard enough to deal with on an emotional level but dealing with the financial realities of their death at the same time can be very upsetting and unnerving. For many, they are suddenly thrown into the role of controlling finances for the first time in their life. Having to take control of family finances and trying to get by on less income can be incredibly overwhelming especially if you have lived comfortably for a long time. Unfortunately, bill paying and other financial burdens don’t let up until the end of a grieving period. And there are also the funeral costs to consider at the exact same time.

Here Is What to Do First

When somebody dies, you are all of a sudden thrown in the deep end, and you don’t even know where to start. And, with the emotional side of losing someone making matters so much worse its hard even to know where to start. However, there are five things that you should do and consider sooner rather than later to help you deal with the many financial strains that losing someone can bring.

  1. Take Your Time to Adjust Before You Take Action

The first step is to simply refrain from making any major financial decisions during the initial shock of losing someone. Your mental and emotional state will need time to come to terms with the death which in time will help you think a lot clearer and more rationally. Then, if you don’t already have professional services in place such as a solicitor, financial planner or tax assistant then it’s time to get them in place to help you deal with the financial side of losing someone.

  1. Locate the Important Financial Documents

If you are already aware of the location of such documents, then this first step will be a relatively simple one. Otherwise, you are going to want to find these documents and store them in a secure place. Such documents may include insurance policies, investment paperwork, property deeds and a will. You will also need to have your marriage certificate and your partner’s birth certificate. When notifying your insurance company, financial organisations and creditors you will need to produce a certified copy of your partner’s death certificate, so it is important to have several copies of this.

  1. Learn How to Budget and Handle Day-to-Day Finances

Whether you kept to a budget whilst you were married or not isn’t relevant, you are going to have a whole new set of expenses to deal with and will probably have different sources of income than you had previously. Break your expenses down to monthly and annual payments. Once you have that all organised, write down all of your various sources of income, salary, rental income, etc.

What’s essential in budgeting is to let your income drive your expenses. This means that once you know how much money goes into your bank account each month, create a budget that will limit your spending to the amount of income you have. While this seems very basic, most people let their expenses drive the process, meaning that they spend money without taking a disciplined approach and hope that at the end of the month they don’t go into debt.

If you are used to handling day-to-day finances in your household, then you will find this step relatively easy. If not, then it is a good idea to assess your current financial situations and then make necessary cutbacks to save money however little it is. This could include cancelling certain services, subscriptions or any other discretionary expenses. A financial planner will able to help you calculate your current net worth, which is the total value of your assets minus the total debt that you are in. This information is essential and can help you develop an understanding of your current spending and future investment plans.

  1. Planning for The Future

Now that you independently hold your family’s financial wealth, you are going to want to consider how you are going to manage it for your heirs. A financial planner will be able to assist you with setting up an estate plan that you provide for you now and then for your heirs in the future. Your goals for the future whether they are personal or financial are a smart thing to consider. It might be a good idea to take classes in personal finance and money management if you lack these skills. Depending on your situation, you might want to find a support group for people who have lost a partner. These kinds of groups can be both a comfort and a resource as you move forward with your life.

  1. Windfall Payment

If you end up receiving a large sum of money from an insurance policy, make sure that you put it in the bank for 3 to 4 months. Don’t make any rushed or impulsive purchases or investments until you feel like you are in control and making rational decisions. There have been many instances where a surviving partner receives a substantial death benefit and begins spending it immediately, by buying all those things that “needed” to be purchased or by giving large gifts to children to help them out or to just be a loving person. Just remember that this money could prove very handy in the future so don’t spend it just because you have it.

Ways to Learn Forex Trading

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Forex (stands for foreign exchange market) is a global decentralised market where currencies are traded, including all aspects of buying, selling and exchanging currencies.

Meanwhile, Forex is a source of solid income for those who know how to earn on the difference in exchange rates. Those who just entering the forex market may wonder how to start, where to find trusted forex resources and portals to start trading and further become a successful trader.

Forex is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You have to learn and master your skills and this takes some time and effort. Forex requires good training. All successful traders have gone through the learning stages. So, if you aspire to become a Forex trader and get some useful tips – keep reading.

Where to start learning Forex?

Getting started trading in the Forex market, devote your time to studying the market and the basics of trading. Today there is a bulk of educational resources related to Forex trading available for free.

Just google to look for trusted forex trading websites. Determine the most acceptable resources for you, with the help of which you can begin to study the material, or deepen your knowledge.

Top Forex resources for a trader

1. Investopedia – is the leading resource both for beginners and professionals. It provides an in-depth trading dictionary, articles on financial aspects, the latest market news and more.

2. BabyPips – well-known source for novices in Forex trading. It teaches you everything in a simple language, as well as acquaints with the basics of trading.

3. ForexFactory – is  a community where traders discuss topics related to Forex, share ideas. Here you can find out what you are interested in.

You can learn the basics of Forex trading with the help of books, educational videos on YouTube and special webinars. It is important to find a source that explains the features of the market clearly.

Books form the knowledge base, but do not teach successful trades. Reading specialised literature is useful in combination with educational videos, webinars and practice on a demo account.

You can also join the forex traders community on the specialised forums, go through the plenty of threads and get trading tips from seasoned traders.

Practice with demo accounts

Once you have learned the basics, it’s time to practice on a demo before trading live. Working on demo accounts, you can gain practical experience and hone your trading skills absolutely free. Since this is a kind of simulator, your mistakes will not cost you a thing.

Most forex brokers provide practice accounts. You can easily register with forex broker and try trading. For example, Forex broker JustForex offers its clients demo accounts with trading conditions corresponding to the real ones.

Having acquired the necessary trading skills on demo accounts, you can switch to real trading. It is recommended to open a cent account and start trading with minimal costs. All operations on such accounts are conducted in cents, but the trading is real in contrast to demo. Herewith, the risks will be minimal, since the profits and losses are calculated in cents: $1 = ¢100.

For a novice trader who has learned the basics of trading and has applied them in practice will be easier to achieve profitable trades on real accounts.

ESMA and UK CCPs scramble as Brexit seems inevitable

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Almost everybody in Europe is anticipating the coming withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. However, many don’t realize how many problems this may cause for the financial sector of the Union as many financial institutions and companies are located and regulated in the UK.

ESMA and UK CCPs are at work

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is already working with the Central Counter party Clearings (CCPs) in the UK, in preparation of Brexit. The preparations need to be top notch as the time gap is slowly shrinking. The UK is expected to leave the EU in March 2019, leaving the two parties with only 4 months to prepare for both scenarios.

By both scenarios, we mean Hard and Soft Brexit, which include various restrictions and tie-cutoffs with the financial markets located in the EU and the UK. The worst case scenario would be hard Brexit as many traders will find themselves floating around, trying to find a reliable Forex broker.

Unfortunately, however, even if Soft Brexit will be the case ESMA will have to deal with the migration of thousands of its traders to offshore brokerages as many of its new regulations were met with protests from the trader’s side. The EU financial authority is seeking to ban trader benefits like bonus promotions and high leverage trading. Things that some traders cannot afford to part with.

Loopholes for traders

However, there are exceptions in this policy, something that can unite UK and EU traders on a single platform. The XM Deposit bonus promotion here details the availability to nearly all markets regardless of the laws, thanks to the broker’s multiple regulations around the world.

But even brokers like XM need to prepare for the onslaught of the Brexit outcome as nothing is yet quite clear. The only thing known about the preparations is the fact that the European Commission will adopt measures if Hard Brexit will be the case. The measure being a no disruption policy to the central clearing.

Although there is still hope for traders as the UK is still debating whether or not to truly walk out the door of the EU. Voter sentiment is slowly changing and it is affecting the MPs as well. The question remains, however, will the EU keep them?

6 Tips for Financing A Home Improvement Project

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For homeowners who are planning a new home improvement project, financing the job should be a top priority. The best option for financing depends on your personal situation and how much equity you have in your home. When it comes to financing home improvements, there are several options.

Using Cash

Homeowners who have enough cash saved up can usually pay for improvements outright. If there’s a project on the horizon you’d like to tackle, budget it into your finances and begin saving for it. Paying for improvements out of pocket means you don’t have to use your home as collateral on a loan or pay the money back with interest. Since you’re not using your home as collateral, there’s no risk of foreclosure for homeowners who use cash. Smaller home improvement projects that cost less than $10,000 are easier to pay out of pocket. Consider financing your home lift or other home improvement project through budgeting and saving.

Credit Card

If immediate cash isn’t an option, then you can use your credit card to finance the project. Credit cards tend to have high interest rates, but you can avoid loan fees or closing costs by using your card. Use your credit cards for home improvements sparingly, and only if you have a plan to pay off the balance within a year.

Personal Loan

A personal loan allows you to borrow money without using the collateral in your home as a down payment. That means if you default on the loan you aren’t at risk for losing your home. Unsecured personal loans are usually only offered for projects that cost below $10,000. Do not mistake payday loans or loans offered by non-banking entities with an unsecured personal loan. Those types of loans tend to come with massive fees and interest rates attached.

Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit

A home equity loan allows you to use the equity in your home as personal collateral. This loan borrows against the value of your home minus your existing mortgage. Home equity loans can be a good option for projects that are one-time. The interest rate associated with these loans is also fixed. Interest paid on a home equity loan is tax deductible up to $1 million. One downside to home equity loans is the closing costs associated with them. You could also risk foreclosure if you’re unable to repay the loan payments.

A home equity line of credit (or HELOC) uses your home’s equity as collateral much like a home equity loan. However, it acts more like a credit card in that you can withdraw various amounts of money over time with a maximum limit. The maximum amount is the upper limit of equity for your home. HELOCs are a good option for homeowners with a long-term project that will need funding over a long period. Interest rates associated with HELOCs are variable, which means they could raise or lower of the course of the credit line.

Borrowing From 401k

If your employer offers a 401k plan, you may want to check and see if you can borrow against it to pay for home improvements. The interest rates for borrowing against your 401k are low, and there’s no fees or closing costs associated with it. The downside of this option means you will have to stay at the job for the length of the repayment term. If you leave the job, you’ll have to pay the balance in full. Other penalties and taxes may apply if the amount isn’t repaid within five years.

Anaford Attorneys Advise on New Spanish Rules for Succession Tax

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Spanish rules for succession tax can be incredibly complex, with 17 different regions and one national law. Until recently, non-residents of Spain could not access the benefits of approved tax advantages in any of the regions. However, recent changes have seen the Spanish Supreme Court recognise the right, initially of EU residents but later of non-EU residents, to apply the relevant regional tax benefits that are in force. A change of law has not yet resulted from the case, but the tax authorities are now applying regional tax benefits to both EU and non-EU residents. Anaford Attorneys advises on cross-border tax matters such as this.

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

Succession tax includes both inheritance tax and gift tax. The Spanish Tax Authority has begun to recognise that regional level tax rebates and reductions can now be applied for the benefit of residents in the region, even if they are not from the EU. Relevant regulations for each region can now be applied if the assets being gifted or inherited are located in Spain or if the gift donor or recipient, decedent or heir reside in Spain. The choice of whether to apply national or regional regulations must be made within six months of death in the case of Inheritance Tax, and within one month of the gift being made for Gift Tax. If the tax has already been paid and the relevant regional benefits were not applied, the liable party has up to four years to file a request to have the improperly collected taxes refunded. Four years represents the statute of limitations, so this time period cannot be extended for the right to claim a refund.

Tax Regulation Changes for EU Residents

The tax regulations for EU residents were changed prior to this case, with new regulations coming into force on the 1st January 2015. These changes came about as a result of Judgement issued on the 3rd September 2014 by the European Union’s Court of Justice. The change enabled regional regulations to be applied to both EEA and EU residents, but not to non-EU residents.

Spanish Supreme Court Case Law

The rights of non-EU residents in Spain to have the appropriate regional succession tax benefits applied to them has been recognised within the Spanish Supreme Court in three rulings. A judgement was rendered on the 19th February 2018 on an appeal lodged against a Tax Appeal Board ruling. The Supreme Court ruled that EU law had been violated by Spain and non-EU residents were being discriminated against, as the regional succession tax incentives that should have been applicable were being denied to them. The appellant in this case was a Canadian resident whose mother had passed away in March 2007 in the Catalan region of Spain.

Free Movement of Capital Restrictions

The February 2018 ruling of the Spanish Supreme Court argued that the rules in place for Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax restricted the free movement of capital in a way that was unjustifiable, through the exclusion of non-EU residents from regional tax rebates and reductions applications. Two similar judgements based on the same criteria were handed down on the 21st and 22nd of March 2018.

Conclusions & Recommendations

For Gift Tax purposes, the relevant regional regulations are applicable:

  • If either the donor or the donee are residents of Spain, or
  • If the gifted assets are located in Spain.

For Inheritance Tax purposes, the relevant regional regulations are applicable:

  • If either the decedent or the heir are residents of Spain, or
  • If the assets are located in Spain.

The choice of the regulations to be applied (regional or national) must be made within one month from the date when the gift was made. For succession purposes, the choice of regulations should be made within six months from the decedent’s death.

If Gift Tax or Inheritance Tax has been paid without applying the relevant regional benefits, a request for a refund of improperly collected taxes may be filed. This must be submitted within four years, which is the statute of limitations on the right to claim the refund.

About Anaford Attorneys

Anaford Attorneys is a specialised tax and wealth planning law firm with a global client base, taking care of international business interests and assets. With their diverse backgrounds and expertise in cross-border tax planning,  the firm’s lawyers are ideally placed to work with clients on both a global and local level, combining regional knowledge and a flexible approach.

For news and updates, connect with Anaford Attorneys on LinkedIn.

The business benefits of printed envelopes

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Custom envelopes, such as can be found at specialist online printing services, offer a variety of benefits for businesses. They’re an often overlooked tool in the arsenal of any business looking to increase both the efficiency with which they operate and the span of their brand appeal. With designing online able to be done in just a few minutes, and a range of choices available, it seems a no-brainer.

We would like to share some benefits of custom printed envelopes for businesses. And let´s admit it, if we can save time and money, who would say no to that?!

Office Efficiency with the Help of Envelopes

It can take considerable time to label envelopes on-premises. That time is highly valuable and better used elsewhere. When envelopes are custom printed, a business automatically gives themselves a head-start. It allows for specific information to be printed on the envelope in advance, meaning mail shots take considerably less time than they otherwise might.

Envelopes for Brand Visibility

Getting a brand to be noticed is a challenge all businesses face. They key to overcoming that challenge is making sure said brand is as visible as possible. There’s no easier way to broadcast a condensed brand identity than custom printed envelopes. Think of how many individual mails are sent in an average mail shot. Every single one of those envelopes is a mobile advertising opportunity.

Money savings for businesses

With other marketing methods, great investment is required to get a large number of eyes to see a single brand. Using custom printed on envelopes, however, is both quick and highly affordable. Online printers have no overheads from physical premises, so they’re able to pass the savings on to their customers. These savings are particularly generous when ordering in bulk.

Brand unity with printed envelopes

One of the most effective ways of cementing brand authority and developing customer loyalty is by establishing brand cohesiveness. That means all marketing materials, all advertising, all communication, and all stationery must be branded the same way. Colour schemes, logos, typefaces, and more – it’s exceptionally important that customers see unified branding.  Even on envelopes!

We should not forget to mention that ordering personalized printed envelopes is easy when you use a specialized website. You can choose the size, colour and quantity you like, from the comfort of our own desk. And they can be delivered at the business, so you don´t have to leave the office.

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