Does the ocean in Mexico have dangerous animals in it?
Liliana Cota - Stewart Title Baja and Stewart Title Puerto Peñasco
We don’t hear about dangerous animals in Mexico in the ocean a lot. In case there is a dangerous animal that could hurt people in the area, the authorities are quick to warn people. For example, if it is high tide, the authorities discourage people from going surfing because it might not be safe.
I live in Tijuana, which is close to San Diego. There was one time when there was a shark around San Diego, and the authorities alerted all the tourists in Tijuana and...
We don’t hear about dangerous animals in Mexico in the ocean a lot. In case there is a dangerous animal that could hurt people in the area, the authorities are quick to warn people. For example, if it is high tide, the authorities discourage people from going surfing because it might not be safe.
I live in Tijuana, which is close to San Diego. There was one time when there was a shark around San Diego, and the authorities alerted all the tourists in Tijuana and Rosarito to be careful. It is not like you can no longer swim in the ocean since dangerous animals only appear here on rare occasions.
The beaches of Mexico, in general, do not have dangerous animals, so there is nothing to worry about. There are wild animals such as crocodiles in certain areas of Mexico but you won’t see them in areas where tourists frequent or where people live.
(Horses for hire on Rosarito Beach, Mexico, pictured.)
In general, how does the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) affect me if I move overseas?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
What the FATCA is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act?
Like a thief in the night, President Barack Hussein Obama enacted Public Law 111-147 (H.R. 2847) just after midnight at 00:01 hours on March 18th, 2010. This law provides the "fiscal transparency" promised under an Obama administration - but just not from the government; it is the citizenry who are subject to such scrutiny.
On February 8th, 2012 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the Proposed Regulations for
What the FATCA is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act?
Like a thief in the night, President Barack Hussein Obama enacted Public Law 111-147 (H.R. 2847) just after midnight at 00:01 hours on March 18th, 2010. This law provides the "fiscal transparency" promised under an Obama administration - but just not from the government; it is the citizenry who are subject to such scrutiny.
On February 8th, 2012 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the Proposed Regulations for the FATCA implementation and subsequent instructions on how and when to file Form 8938 stating, "U.S. taxpayers with specified foreign financial assets that exceed certain thresholds must report these assets to the IRS".
On the same day, the U.S Treasury released a 'Joint Statement' with the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom "Regarding an intergovernmental approach to improving international tax compliance and implementing FATCA".
So what the FATCA just happened? In layman's terms, "The U.S. government has once again increased its power and scope of authority to intrude, investigate and regulate virtually every sizable international financial transaction you make starting in 2013."
The focus of this answer is to look at House Resolution 2847, or the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act). And within the legislation, under Title V "Offset Provisions", we shall examine one section of Subtitle A, which is where you can go to find more on how to get FATC "Foreign Account Tax Compliant".
Here are some highlights of "Change You Can Believe In". When Americans wish to send money offshore next year, we find it reads in Part 1, Section 501(a), Chapter 4, Section 1474(a):
"In the case of any withholdable payment to a foreign financial institute which does not meet the requirements of subsection (b), the withholding agent with respect to such payment shall deduct and withhold from such payment a tax equal to 30 percent of the amount of such payment."
The aggregate amount for foreign financial assets has initially been set exceeding $50,000. Eerily, the federal income tax started at a mere 3% wartime tax, was never repealed, and has brackets today well over 40%. History has demonstrated governments will expand their power and attempt to lower this $50,000 threshold.
The term "withholdable payment" is broad and covers virtually all salaries, wages, dividends, annuities, periodical gains, profits, and income; or gross proceeds from the sale of property which can produce interest or dividends from sources in the United States.
The term "foreign financial institution" does not refer to just offshore institutions, but any financial institution which does not meet the requirements of subsection (b) to "comply with such verification and due diligence procedures as the Secretary may require with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts." And if any financial institution is not in compliance with these yet to-be-determined procedures required by the Secretary before 2013 (some by 2014) then such financial institutions shall be considered "foreign".
The term "withholding agent" refers to the bank who is sending the money and is responsible for deducting the payment. Generally, banks charge a fee to send a wire transfer and are not designed to be an administrative body capable of determining if the receiving financial institution has a tax-sharing agreement with the IRS and is currently in compliance with the requirements of subsection (b).
Under this law, foreign financial institutions shall be pressured to report the name, address, and Tax Identification Number (TIN) of each account which has a United States person as a beneficial owner, including foreign entities. Banks will be forced to disclose account numbers, balances, receipts, withdrawals and payments.
So, in short, Obama has turned your bank and financial institutions around the world, into tax policemen. Since banks will not assume any liability for failing to withhold the 30% from your transactions, they will likely turn these payments over to the IRS or will begin refusing to comply with the disclosure requirements altogether and close-out the accounts of American citizens as has Hong Kong, Switzerland and other prominent jurisdictions.
Americans have never had so many reasons to protect their assets than with the passage of this Draconian bill.
It is typically more expensive to buy a new car in Portugal. It is very difficult to find a new car in Portugal unless it is a small new car that costs under € 10,000 (about US $ 10,800 or £ 7,370). Most new cars when compared to the UK, will be at a premium of about 25% to 30% and when compared to the US, will be at a premium of about 40% to 50%.
The market for second hand cars hardly existed until about 5 years ago and now there are about...
It is typically more expensive to buy a new car in Portugal. It is very difficult to find a new car in Portugal unless it is a small new car that costs under € 10,000 (about US $ 10,800 or £ 7,370). Most new cars when compared to the UK, will be at a premium of about 25% to 30% and when compared to the US, will be at a premium of about 40% to 50%.
The market for second hand cars hardly existed until about 5 years ago and now there are about three or four specialists but it is still more expensive than buying a second hand car in the US, where you could into Daytona Beach and buy a pickup truck for US $500 (€ 460 or £ 340). You can’t do that in Portugal. A fairly nice condition, second hand car would cost about €5,000 (US $ 5,500 or £ 3,700). Vehicle taxes in Portugal are astronomical; they are the highest in Europe.
I am not really certain why we didn’t have a second hand car market in Portugal until recently but I think it is partly cultural and partly as a result of legislation. Culturally, even though Portugal is not a wealthy nation, it hates to buy things that are second hand. If you offer somebody second hand clothes, for example, they will look at you lop-sided because they consider that pretty much an insult. Until recently, any second hand items of any nature were frowned upon, whereas, if you go to England, for example, second hand sales are all the rage. In Portugal, that was frowned upon. I think that extended to vehicles. Vehicles are seen as a status symbol so people do not like to be seen in second hand cars.
The other thing was that the taxation process, in terms of imported vehicles is so onerous. There are such high taxes in terms of imported vehicles that it just didn’t pay to import and to buy an imported, nice second hand car because the price would be too close to brand new cars. Only in the course of the last few years has that appeared to change.
How much does it cost for a gardener in Coronado, Panama?
Nitzia Chifundo - Panama Sol Realty
The gardeners in Coronado, Panama are very affordable. They may charge anywhere between $20-$40 depending how big your yard is and how much work you ask for them to do. In my experience they are usually trustworthy and they are willing to help in many different tasks.
The picture refers to a typical yard of a house in Coronado, Panama.
The gardeners in Coronado, Panama are very affordable. They may charge anywhere between $20-$40 depending how big your yard is and how much work you ask for them to do. In my experience they are usually trustworthy and they are willing to help in many different tasks.
The picture refers to a typical yard of a house in Coronado, Panama.
How's the hiking and camping in and around Ambergris Caye?
Rachel Jensen - Grand Baymen
I haven’t seen any camping in Ambergris Caye and I don’t think a lot of people do camp because it is a tropical island. Right now are the hotter months of the year so you would not be comfortable in a tent right now.
You don’t really go hiking or camping on Ambergris Caye; you have to go to the mainland of Belize to do that. Fortunately, Belize is a small country, so it doesn't take much time to...
I haven’t seen any camping in Ambergris Caye and I don’t think a lot of people do camp because it is a tropical island. Right now are the hotter months of the year so you would not be comfortable in a tent right now.
You don’t really go hiking or camping on Ambergris Caye; you have to go to the mainland of Belize to do that. Fortunately, Belize is a small country, so it doesn't take much time to get from one place to another.
There are no hills since Ambergris Caye is a flat island, so there is really no hiking here. You can, however, go to San Ignacio (the main town in the Cayo District of Belize), where there are a lot of places where you could go hiking.
You can also go to hiking areas in the southern part of Belize. You can go to the Mayan ruins where you can camp out. If you want to take public transportation, going to San Ignacio is a two and a half hour bus ride from Belize City. From Ambergris Caye, you could first take a 15-minute flight on a puddle jumper from Ambergris Caye to Belize City or you could take a water taxi, which could take an hour and a half to two hours. Once you are in Belize City, you could take a bus to San Ignacio, or you could get a taxi or rent a car. There are a lot of different travel options. Taking the bus would be the cheapest option but it takes longer.
If I live in Nicaragua, would I lose my US citizenship?
John-Marc Gallagher - GPS Real Estate
You would never lose your US citizenship by simply living in Nicaragua. There is nothing that automatic about losing one's citizenship.
Nor would you really want to give up your US citizenship. There would be no reason that I can see to do such a thing. Luckily, your freedoms as a US citizen allow you to travel and live anywhere in the world that will accept you! And Nicaragua has an open door policy!
Your...
You would never lose your US citizenship by simply living in Nicaragua. There is nothing that automatic about losing one's citizenship.
Nor would you really want to give up your US citizenship. There would be no reason that I can see to do such a thing. Luckily, your freedoms as a US citizen allow you to travel and live anywhere in the world that will accept you! And Nicaragua has an open door policy!
Your best bet would be to apply for residency in Nicaragua. We have been residents of Nicaragua for over 10 years and we travel back and forth unfettered. Never a problem on either side of the immigration line here or in the States.
Panamá is very small country, but full of surprises. From biodiversity to pre-colony (15th century) famous path, to music, to technology and growth.
But I want to refer specifically to one man who made the difference in music. Born and raised in Panamá, he become an icon to locals, and is internationally known. His name was LUCHO AZCARRAGA. He was called to entertain at every important public or private event.
Barro Colorado… bird watching and scientific research center.
The 1,560 hectare (3,854 acres; a little over 6 square miles) island of Barro Colorado is situated in the man-made Gatun Lake, in the middle of the Panama Canal. This island is the primary site of the Smithsonian Institute for the study of tropical forests. The Smithsonian also has additional land adjacent, which, together with Barro Colorado island totals...
This was a special day for my friends from Alabama. They had wanted to go visit the Janson Coffee Farm for the last two years. This was a great day for slow drive to Volcan. It was a cool, rainy, gray day but the smiles and laughter made it feel warm and happy. All along the way there was an air of excitement from the two of them. I heard stories about the times they rode horses with the Janson family, picnics and weekend outings; all the memories were so pleasant. Along the way we...
We don’t hear about dangerous animals in Mexico in the ocean a lot. In case there is a dangerous animal that could hurt people in the area, the authorities are quick to warn people. For example, if it is high tide, the authorities discourage people from going surfing because it might not be safe.
It is typically more expensive to buy a new car in Portugal. It is very difficult to find a new car in Portugal unless it is a small new car that costs under € 10,000 (about US $ 10,800 or £ 7,370). Most new cars when compared to the UK, will be at a premium of about 25% to 30% and when compared to the US, will be at a premium of about 40% to 50%. 
may charge anywhere between $20-$40 depending how big your yard is and how much work you ask for them to do. In my experience they are usually trustworthy and they are willing to help in many different tasks. 
I haven’t seen any camping in Ambergris Caye and I don’t think a lot of people do camp because it is a tropical island. Right now are the hotter months of the year so you would not be comfortable in a tent right now. 
Gatun Lake, in the middle of the Panama Canal. This island is the primary site of the Smithsonian Institute for the study of tropical forests. The Smithsonian also has additional land adjacent, which, together with Barro Colorado island totals...
This was a special day for my friends from Alabama. They had wanted to go visit the Janson Coffee Farm for the last two years. This was a great day for slow drive to Volcan. It was a cool, rainy, gray day but the smiles and laughter made it feel warm and happy. All along the way there was an air of excitement from the two of them. I heard stories about the times they rode horses with the Janson family, picnics and weekend outings; all the memories were so pleasant. Along the way we...
