tressel has left 19 comments

tressel comments on Paying Taxes, Real Estate Investing, Tax Laws- re post

I know that you have to be careful with the attorneys, and anyones advice, in Colombia. At this point I don't have time to talk to a US based firm as I am leaving for Colombia in 6 days and I will be there until Christmas. I haven't made any past declarations and I know I am behind but I amtrying to correct this situation. I was told by an attorney that it may not be too bad because my 1st 2 purchases were 2006 and earlier and for personal use. My last 3 were in 2007 and for investment and now it's time to pay the piper. I just don't know who to contact. The attorneys will just give advice. I need an accountant who can take that advice and do my returns.

tressel comments on IVA To Be Returned To Foreign Tourists

who gives the refund? if it's the seller of a product or retailer, how do you convince them that you should not pay it? i'm sure most never heard of this!

tressel comments on Buying Real Estate, Paying Taxes, Tax Laws, Accountants, Investing in Colombia

I have apartments in Bogota, Medellin, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla so I can work from anywhere, but I feel the best place to find an experienced accountant and have my taxes done would be Bogota. To me it seems the logical choice and place where there's more international business and education. One problem is that I speak Spanish but not well enough to get into a legal conversation. The major problem is the wide variety of different advice or information that you get from every Colombian all the way to the highest levels! I get pointed in 3 different directions just looking for a gas station! I just wish that I knew an accountant who has worked with foreigners who buy real estate in Colombia. I am a US citizen but a Resident of Colombia. I spend about 8 months a year in Colombia. Just trying to find someone with experience. Even an extranjero like myself who has purchased a few properties and did their tax returns. Pick the best restaurant and I'll buy dinner just to pick your brain! Thanks guys for your help.

tressel comments on Paying Taxes, Real Estate Investing, Tax Laws- re post

I agree with Gator that I need someone in Colombia. (Thanks for the link). One problem is that I speak Spanish but not well enough to get into a legal conversation. The major problem is the wide variety of different advice or information that you get from every Colombian all the way to the highest levels! I get pointed in 3 different directions just looking for a gas station! I just wish that I knew an accountant who has worked with foreigners who buy real estate in Colombia. I am a US citizen but a Resident of Colombia. I spend about 8 months a year in Colombia. Just trying to find someone with experience. Even an extranjero like myself who has purchased a few properties and did their tax returns. Pick the best restaurant and I'll buy dinner just to pick your brain! Thanks guys for your help.

tressel comments on Paying Taxes, Real Estate Investing, Tax Laws- re post

I have apartments in Bogota, Medellin, Santa Marta, and Barranquilla so I can work from anywhere, but I feel the best place to find an experienced accountant and have my taxes done would be Bogota. To me it seems the logical choice and place where there's more international business and education.

tressel comments on Bogota hotel

how is the traffic noise and other noise in general?

tressel comments on Tutoring English in Medillin

first you need to learn how to spell medellin

tressel comments on Buying Real Estate, Paying Taxes, Tax Laws, Accountants, Investing in Colombia

I agree, but i thought for an accountant $105 in colombia is outrageous? no? i need major bookkeeping for the past 3 years also! good attorneys are that price. tell me something if i don't know please.

tressel comments on robi666

my email is njmarkh at hotmail.com

tressel comments on robi666

robi666, i would like to ask you some questions and get your opinion about real estate investment tax issues that i have, if you would be so kind to reply. thanks much, mark harrington. njmarkh at hotmail.com

tressel comments on robi666

i really suggest you go to bogota like i did and talk to a man named carlos gallon , gallon at cable.net.co he was incredible for me, tell him mark harrington recommended you as he only takes clients by referral, or you can contact my friend who lives in santa marta, bill erikson at 315-898-0996. he has a friend he says is a good divorce attorney in santa marta. second, his wife, ruth ceballos is a realtor also. last,bill, i have a penthouse that i rent out if you're interested. good luck, mark

tressel comments on SandraBaldion

hi sandra, thanks, i certainly could use an honest accountant. they must have knowledge of foreign investor laws who invest in real estate, speak english, and be willing to go to bogota or possibly another major city. any help is appreciated. mark

tressel comments on Buying Real Estate, Paying Taxes, Tax Laws, Accountants, Investing in Colombia

I agree, I do need an accountant, not an attorney. Bogota is my choice of cities, only because you find more knowledgable people there,especially when it comes to international business, and they many times speak English. I'm trying to locate a person who posts on this website named robi666. he seems to know a lot. anyone know him? anyway, i did have one law firm email me back that they had an accountant for $105 US per hour! Crazy, i'm not paying that. If anyone hears of an honest english speaking accountant with experience in foreign investors buying real estate, please let me know. I am desperate. Thanks much everyone, Mark

tressel comments on I Invested in Colombia....Now, how can I get my money out?

Can anyone please refer an honest educated accountant with experience with foreign investors in real estate. I have been looking for one for two years! I became a resident of colombia over 2 years ago and spend 6-8 months per year in colombia. I have purchased 5 apartments all with forms 4 and 11. I'm really confused if my purchases were done correctly and I need to do tax returns, I think? I really need some help if anyone can give me some advice. I got a business visa at first but that expired 3 years ago. I purchased my first apartment in the name of a business name LLC. After purchasing my 2nd apartment I got my resident visa, then I purchased 3 more apartments since last year and I am starting to rent them out. All are in business names LLCs. I need some serious tax and investment advice. Thanks, Mark

tressel comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

Cedula From what I see you definately need a cedula to have a bank account. I think it's like a social security card? You can't wire transfer if you don't have a bank account. Best to do a western union and a money gram. They each allow $1500 US per day paid out in pesos or up to $7500 but you get a check, which will not be good for you. Do 3 days at each western union and money gram = $9000.

tressel comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

thank you viewpoint and aztec. i have been interviewing and i think i am going to bogota to hire a good attorney to clean up my mess now while it's recent and hopefully finalize my new transaction.

tressel comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

form 4 & 11 - view point, aztec, and calipro Thanks to all of you! What a big problem. My problem now is, 1)When I bought the first apartment, I transferred US funds to the sellers US bank! How can I file form 4 now?...and, 2)On the purchase of the 2nd apartment, If I continue to have a problem with the wire transfer I may have to carry in pesos, use western union, and ATMs. How can I file form 4 if I have to complete the purchase this way?

tressel comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

3rd question I ended up on this page through a google search. I like the site so I joined but how do I get back to this page from thepoorbuthappy home page? I can't seem to located this page/forum from the home page!

tressel comments on I'm seriously considering buying an apartment in Los Cristales, Cali.

wiewpoint, aztec, anyone - please help! I can't believe what I am reading. How can I get out of my jamb here? Well I have 2 major problems! 1)I just closed 30 days ago on a condo in Barrinquilla with a 5,000,000 pesos deposit and $57,000US transferred to the sellers US bank account. No one told me of any forms. Can I, or How can I file them to stay out of trouble? 2)Even bigger problem, I have a 10,000,000 peso deposit on a beautiful 250,000,000 peso penthouse in Santa Marta. I must close soon. I previously got my business visa, cedula, registered with dian, opened a davivienda bank account and talked to the bank manager about my purchase and she told me no problem to transfer funds, but when I did the transfer the other day they rejected it saying that I need to have an account there for 6 months! I was going to try to solve the problem by having many western unions and moneygrams sent to me, my fiancee and other close friends and using ATMs or I may have a slight chance that a friend from the USA in Santa Marta may let me transfer to his account. If I do any of the above for this purchase can I file the forms 4 and 11 so I don't get in trouble? What can I do about these 2 problems? Any advice is greatly appreciated. tressel