Tax lawyers in Portugal are responsible for helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex and ever-changing tax landscape. Unfortunately, it appears that many Portuguese tax lawyers are not fully equipped to handle the task at hand.
With limited knowledge of Portuguese taxes, an unfamiliarity with double tax treaties, and a lack of experience dealing with tax returns from other countries; it is no wonder that clients are often left feeling unsatisfied with the services they receive.
As a result, the question must be asked: are Portuguese tax lawyers falling short?
Lack of knowledge about Portuguese taxes
Whilst tax lawyers are undoubtedly familiar with the tax bill in Portugal, they often lack a broader understanding of everything tax related. The major issue is that they lack comprehensive tax knowledge. This is because tax lawyers typically specialise in one area, whereas accountants are familiar with a broad spectrum of taxes.
If you approach a tax lawyer to request accountancy services, they may not be familiar with processing all of the information at once, as this isn’t their area of expertise. On the other hand, accountants deal with these kinds of tasks daily.
Even though tax lawyers can certainly provide valuable tax services, their knowledge is limited to a specific area of expertise. If you require broader accountancy assistance, it’s often better to turn to an accountant who can assist with everything!
Unfamiliarity with NHR
You may be aware of the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) status in Portugal, which provides significant tax benefits to expats. Tax lawyers are able to assist individuals in applying for the NHR, which is great, however they are not equipped to offer strategic advice in this area.
The NHR is often only known to tax lawyers who specialise in taxes received in Portugal. This is not helpful to expats who receive income outside Portugal; the idea here is to minimise worldwide taxes. A tax lawyer who only considers Portuguese taxes won’t be helpful!
Clients who are looking for comprehensive tax advice will likely find themselves better served by an accountant. We have experience navigating the complexities of the NHR and double tax treaties. By working with a tax expert like RHJ Accountants, expats can ensure that they are minimising their tax liabilities worldwide.
Inadequate understanding of double-tax treaties
As tax lawyers are only aware of Portuguese taxes, they often don’t consider information related to double-tax treaties. Understanding double-tax treaties can be highly beneficial to reduce tax burdens for worldwide income.
At RHJ Accountants, we understand the importance of double-tax treaties. That’s why we work with tax accountants across various countries, including:
So, if you choose to live between Portugal and one of these countries, our team will be able to evaluate the double-tax treaties as needed. This not only ensures compliance but also helps in reducing your overall tax burden.
Therefore, it’s important to consider tax services that have extensive knowledge beyond just Portugal. Our experienced team can provide you with the necessary support to help you navigate through the complexities of tax regulations.
Lack of familiarity with tax returns in other countries
For expats or individuals with businesses that operate internationally, this can be a crucial area that needs to be managed effectively. Some tax lawyers in Portugal simply do not have the knowledge required to navigate the complexities of taxes in other countries.
At RHJ Accountants, our team is well-equipped to handle this issue. As we work across different countries besides Portugal, we can communicate with the relevant tax expert to ensure that your taxes in Portugal are being filed correctly. The best part? You don’t have to use our accountant services in other countries to benefit from our knowledge. If you’re happy with your current accountant outside of Portugal, that’s okay. Our team is familiar with the tax knowledge required to make sure everything is managed correctly, no matter where you do business.
Overall, tax returns are a vital part of managing your finances, and they need to be managed correctly. Make sure you’re working with a team that has the experience and knowledge required to manage your taxes in Portugal and beyond.
Excessive charges and insufficient help
Many individuals seeking help with their taxes in Portugal are being charged high fees by tax lawyers who offer little to no assistance. While some may argue that these fees are justified due to the complexity of tax law, they fail to recognise that individuals may have income from various sources worldwide. This means that they focus solely on Portuguese taxes, without considering the bigger picture. As a result, their advice may not be comprehensive enough to cover all tax obligations that an individual may have.
At RHJ Accountants, we believe that individuals should focus on the level of service being provided to ensure their taxes are being dealt with properly. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to all new clients, so that individuals can determine if our services are the right fit for them. We take a global approach to tax management, meaning that we consider all sources of income, regardless of where they come from.
How RHJ Accountants can help
As previously mentioned, we offer a free initial consultation to get to know you and your tax situation better. This helps us identify your specific needs and design a plan that’s right for you.
Following the meeting, our team share a proposal guide that details all the services we offer, along with pricing information. This way, you know exactly what you’re paying for and what to expect.
If you need help with taxes in other countries besides Portugal, we can assist you there as well. We are your one-stop-shop for taxes worldwide!
We’re committed to helping you achieve your tax goals while providing exceptional service along the way. Contact us today to learn more!
