AZV taxation

[lizzardo]

A lot of retirees lately have been getting bills for AZV (called social tax).
I saw on the AZV website (which is down not) that if you do not
have income in Aruba - you don't have to pay the taxes.

Can anyone direct me to a website or accountant/lawyer who
can explain it to me?

[Arubalisa]

Would hope they could answer your question directly via phone.

AZV Algemene Ziektekosten Verzekering
Seroe Blanco
Noord
Tel: 588-3499
Facsimile 588-3492
(Noord)Orangestad Aruba
Tel: 527-9900
Fax: 583-0977
(Noord)Orangestad Aruba

[lizzardo]

I have called them 3 times already. The first time - I went thru connecting to 5 people who never answered their phone and then got someone who couldn't speak english.

The second time I tried to call to set up an appointment - the people who were supposed to know this stuff - again no answer for 3 people then I finally
gave up when the operator transferred me to someone else who picked up the
phone and must have just put the reciever down - heard a conversation and then about 4 minutes later they hung up - operator tried again - phone was busy.

The third time - even had a name - again person not there - gave my number and name - they have not called back.

From what I have heard from other US retirees - they are not reconsidering staying in Aruba. With the retirement accounts declining 50% plus
and getting taxed in the US for say 28% - they can't afford any more
taxation on top of that.

[Schnauzerjoy]

Any of these should be able to give you good advice, but they of course charge you, so you should share the cost with your friends in the same situation:

ERNST & YOUNG 582-4050

KPMG 525-5764

DELOITTE 582-6235

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS 522-1647

They all have International taxations experts.

Carsten

[lizzardo]

Thanks for the information. We are seeing one of them today.
The thing about the AZV tax - is when you move here - you have
to have proof of outside insurance. We have had international
insurance which might not exempt us from the tax....