There are many challenges when operating a business, particularly when dealing tax laws. In Switzerland, the Value Added Tax (VAT) is a key component of the monetary system. Without proper knowledge VAT system can be confusing but there are VAT tax representatives who specialize in assisting businesses with their tax requirements. Below are the function of a Swiss VAT tax agent and how they help  make business processes simpler.

VAT and Its Implications

Value Added Tax is the consumption tax that is levied on the sale of goods and services throughout the supply chain. Businesses are required to register for VAT if their yearly turnover exceeds a certain threshold in Switzerland. VAT is controlled by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) and the current VAT rate in Switzerland is 7.7%.

A VAT tax representative acts as a trusted intermediary between businesses and the tax authorities. They specialize in VAT regulations and assist businesses, particularly those located outside Switzerland, in complying with the country’s tax requirements.

Responsibilities of a VAT tax representative

• Assistance with registration for VAT with the Swiss tax authorities, as well as ensuring that businesses comply with VAT laws and submit their tax reports on time.
• Tax Representation: Representing companies in interactions with the Swiss tax authorities, such as by replying to questions or supplying more information. 
• Helping companies recover input VAT paid on permissible expenses in order to maximize tax collection. 
• Offering expert advice on navigating the complex VAT landscape, assisting businesses in understanding their tax liabilities, and enhancing their VAT situation.
• Using a VAT Tax Representative’s Services: Businesses of all sizes and in all industries can benefit greatly from working with a VAT tax representative. 
• Help businesses to concentrate on their primary business.
• Avoid making costly errors that may result from interpreting the VAT legislation incorrectly.
• Negotiate on behalf of the business to the tax authorities if there is a tax situation dispute or audit.
• Maximize their VAT recovery while guaranteeing efficient resource use.
• As a Swiss tax representative, we manage for your business all processing of correspondence, communications and requests for information from the Swiss tax authorities and customs. 

Rister is a reputable VAT tax representative in Switzerland, which handles both domestic and international tax-related needs. It performs all the above roles and their VAT adjustment services are very beneficial because they evaluates and analyzes your company’s tax situation, looks for any errors or omissions, and help you avoid fines and penalties.

To gain a deeper understanding of VAT in Switzerland, you can refer to the official website of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.(https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/en/home.html).

For businesses, navigating Switzerland’s complicated VAT system can be difficult. However, businesses can streamline processes, adhere to tax laws, and even save time and costs with the assistance of a VAT tax consultant. Businesses can concentrate on their core competencies while gaining the advantages of professional tax advice by outsourcing VAT-related work to specialists. So, if you want to streamline your company’s operations, think about hiring a VAT tax representative in Switzerland.

The world of fraud is still a big one and at one time or another in your life, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a scam or you may be accused of fraud and will need legal help.

In the following list, key areas are highlighted where you would typically need to seek the advice of a fraud solicitor.

HMRC investigations

The most common reason why people are investigated by HMRC is related to simple errors on their tax returns; if you have a larger business, an accountant can be worth their weight in gold in this instance!

But if you find yourself accused of tax fraud, then it is important to seek the advice of a solicitor who is trained in this specific area of the law, to help clear your name and ensure that this error does not occur again.

Financial scams

More people than ever before are choosing to invest their money via apps and online services. Unfortunately, this has opened the door for investment scammers who may pressure people into investing money that they do not have, with no evidence that it has been placed into stocks or bonds. If you think you have been scammed, seek legal help.

Similarly, if your company has experienced internal financial fraud that has resulted in substantial losses to its cash reserves, taking decisive action is essential. In such cases, reaching out to a fraud solicitor can be a crucial step towards seeking accountability and restitution. The solicitor can assist you in initiating legal proceedings against the individuals responsible for the fraudulent activities. Additionally, to bolster your case against the fraudsters, your solicitor may recommend employing Reliable and discreet private investigator solutions by Bond Rees (or another company) as these investigations firms can conduct thorough investigations, trace the activities of the fraudsters, and provide concrete evidence that can be presented effectively in court.

Money laundering

Money laundering is simply the cleaning of money or making it look as though it was obtained through legal activity when it was the result of criminal activity, such as drug dealing.

If you run a company and one of your clients is being investigated for money laundering, you will be investigated by default and should seek the advice of a solicitor who has an in-depth understanding of fraud law in the UK. Alternatively, you may suspect that one of your clients or partners in a company is engaging in this activity; if so, you should report it.

Immigration fraud

With students studying in the UK from overseas and many people working in the UK from other countries, immigration fraud has had more barriers put in to ensure that people are not living in the UK illegally.

However, having an out-of-date visa is not the only example of immigration fraud; if you suspect that your employer is hiring illegal immigrants, then you should report this to the police and a solicitor who is trained in this area. The same reporting system applies in relation to facilitating the illegal entry of migrant workers, failure to comply with conditions of entry and simply entering the country with no visa and without planning to leave.

Although, if you are legally living and working in the UK, it may also be worth staying in regular contact with such a solicitor, so they can update you on any changes that may occur revolving around your visa and UK law.

Identity theft

In 2021, identity theft showed no sign of vanishing, particularly among groups of elderly people or those who would be considered vulnerable. In fact, it costs the UK billions of pounds every year!

If you have a suspicion that your credit or debit card has been cloned, or that a credit or debit card has been taken out in your name you should contact a solicitor who specialises in fraud.

Alternatively, you may have had goods ordered from the internet or a catalogue in your name without your consent, or even mobile phone contracts. These are also examples of identity theft and should be reported to a solicitor and the police.

2021 has been a busy year for almost everyone; as government restrictions ease, people have been out and about more, going back to work and engaging with others online and by phone.

But this has created a spike in an issue that many people don’t think about or believe will never happen to them; scams.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 2.3 billion has been lost to scams in the last year globally (2020-2021) and as a result, many people have lost savings, earnings and other important funds.

So what are the most common scams of 2021 and how can you spot, avoid and report them? A fraud solicitor answers below.

Phishing

By far, still the most common of all scam types globally are phishing scams.

These occur when false emails, texts and phone calls are placed, trying to get you to reveal private information.

Phishing schemes also include emails containing false invoices from well-known companies that you haven’t ordered from.

These have become such a problem for banks that a myriad of letters and emails have been released stating that a bank will never ask you for your bank card or account details. So, be aware and if you suspect such a scam, contact the police and a solicitor trained in fraud to try and get some of the lost funds returned.

Credit card Fraud

Credit card fraud is another type of scam that is on the rise in 2021. This type of scam involves criminals stealing credit card numbers and using them to make unauthorized purchases. Credit card fraud can be difficult to spot and can cause serious financial damage to consumers. If recurring suspicious charges appear or accounts are opened fraudulently, it’s important to act quickly to limit the damage.

However, sometimes honest individuals may find themselves wrongly accused of credit card fraud through no fault of their own. This can happen due to identity theft, merchant error, or other mix-ups. When accused falsely, the situation must be handled delicately to clear your name. The first step should be reviewing statements and reporting any unknown charges to establish evidence that you did not make them. Additionally, you can seek the assistance of a defense theft lawyer promptly. They will provide you with invaluable guidance and support in formulating a robust defense strategy against the allegations.

Fake government agency

There was a common scam that used the guise of HMRC to alert people that they owed tax; this typically occurred via phone calls, pressuring people to pay money. Understandably, this is a very scary scam as not paying tax can result in prison time, so many people fell victim to it.

However, much like banks, HMRC has released statements saying that all of their communications on such matters are done via letter and they will never pressure people to pay money in such a way. Once again, if you suspect that you have paid into such a scam, contact the police.

Other phone scams

But with scammers, there is a lot of creativity used to get access to your money; many may pretend that they are calling from a company that will be able to fix your credit score, or even a charity looking for donations; this is more common around the Christmas period.

As before, charities typically ask for donations via letter and it is not likely that a company will fix your credit score for a fee.

So, stay alert and double-check all people who call you asking for money. If you are unsure, hang up the phone!

Tech support

This occurs more via email and using pop-ups; a virus has been detected on your computer and you need to pay money to have it removed.

This allows scammers access to your bank or credit card account details. To avoid this, never provide remote access for your computer and avoid using public WiFi.

Online store scams

Buying online is common, but some people have fallen foul of scams involving fake online stores that have stolen their credit card information and run up the bill.

Never transfer money via wire transfers and always check the legitimacy of a store before purchase.

We all love receiving gifts, whatever the reason or occasion! But what if you receive something that, despite the giver’s best intentions, you don’t like, or something which turns out to be faulty? Can you return the items and get a refund?

The answer is that without a receipt there’s not a lot you can do, although a local charity may well appreciate it! However, if you are not shy in asking for a receipt, or the giver of your present has offered you the opportunity to change the item if you don’t like it then that is a whole different ball game.

With so many of us shopping online now, it’s not just a question of taking something back to the shop with a receipt. What are your consumer rights in relation to items that have been shop-bought or bought online whether by you, or by someone else buying you a gift?

In today’s global landscape, numerous countries have enacted new laws to protect both consumers and retailers. One notable example is the INFORM Consumers Act, designed to shield consumers from counterfeit products and prevent damage to retailers’ reputations. Additionally, laws such as the EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices aim to prohibit deceptive or misleading practices by retailers. These regulations are implemented to ensure consumers have the information necessary to make informed decisions and can trust the products they purchase.

With such laws in place, consumers are empowered to assert their rights and seek resolution in case of any disputes. Here, we have outlined some actions you can take if you encounter any faults, providing a foundation for consumers to confidently demand fair treatment and adherence to their rights.

Product Quality 

As with previous legislation, under the Consumer Rights Act all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.  

The rules also include digital content in this definition. So, all products – whether physical or digital – must meet the following standards:  

• Satisfactory quality.  Goods shouldn’t be faulty or damaged when you receive them. You should ask what a reasonable person would consider satisfactory for the goods in question. For example, bargain-bucket products won’t be held to as high standards as luxury goods. 
• Fit for purpose.  The goods should be fit for the purpose they are supplied for, as well as any specific purpose you made known to the retailer before you agreed to buy the goods. 
• As described.  The goods supplied must match any description given to you, or any models or samples shown to you at the time of purchase.

If what you’ve bought doesn’t satisfy any one of the three criteria outlined above, you have a claim under the Consumer Rights Act against the retailer (seller) as opposed to the manufacturer. So, any fobbing off such as ‘we have to send the item back to the manufacturer’ can be ignored.

What you can claim, depends on how much time has passed since you physically took ownership of the goods. You also need proof of purchase such as the receipt.

30-day right to reject

Under the Consumer Rights Act you have an absolute legal right to reject goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described, and get a full refund – as long as you do this quickly within 30 days of taking ownership. You take ownership of the goods when you pay for them in a store and take them away, or when the goods are delivered to you if you’ve paid online.

Outside of the thirty days – Repair or replace

If you are outside the 30-day right to reject, you have to give the retailer one opportunity to repair or replace any goods or digital content which are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described. 

If the attempt at a repair or replacement is unsuccessful, you can then claim a refund, or a price reduction if you wish to keep the product.

The first six months

If you discover the fault within the first six months of having the product, it is presumed to have been there since the time you took ownership of it – unless the retailer can prove otherwise.

If you’d prefer to keep the goods in question, you can request an appropriate price reduction.

Six months or more

If a fault develops after the first six months, the burden is on you to prove that the product was faulty at the time you took ownership of it. In practice, this may require some form of expert report, opinion or evidence of similar problems across the product range. 

You have six years to take a claim to the small claims court for faulty goods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Digital content

The Consumer Rights Act defines digital content as ‘data which are produced and supplied in digital form.’

Just like goods, digital content must be:

• of satisfactory quality
• fit for a particular purpose
• as described by the seller.

If digital content does not conform to these criteria, you have the right to a repair or replacement of the digital content you’ve bought. 

So effectively, the 2015 statute is a very useful piece of legislation to protect your consumer rights not only relating to purchased items but also in respect of the supply of services as well.

However, what happens if the item is not faulty, but you simply don’t like it? Can you get a refund or exchange it?

Most stores, online or otherwise, will give you a period of time to get a refund in such circumstances. Some offer such a high level of customer service that they will give a refund on returned goods after a ‘reasonable’ period of time provided the returned item is as new and a receipt is produced. But beware, they do not have to legally do so outside of their specified deadline.

If you are finding that a retailer is not being very co-operative, it’s useful to mention that you ‘know your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015′. This should nudge them into compliance with the law, but if they are being extremely stubborn and you feel you need additional help then engaging a suitably qualified and licenced Paralegal can be a much cheaper option than using a solicitor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Hamilton is Chief Executive of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), a non-profit Membership Body and the only Paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England). Through its training arm, NALP Training, trading as National Paralegal College, accredited recognised professional paralegal qualifications are offered for a career as a paralegal professional. 

See: http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk and https://www.nalptraining.co.uk/

Twitter: @NALP_UK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssocationsofLicensedParalegals/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hamilton-llb-hons-840a6a16/

Ensuring your rights are upheld

Sexual offence allegations of any sort can have a potentially devastating effect on the accused as well as anyone around them, both within a social and professional sense. This is why anyone accused of a sexual offence must know when to contact their sexual offence solicitor for help and guidance through what is likely to be a traumatic and stressful ordeal.

Given the complexities of sexual offences, a good solicitor will work tirelessly to pull together all the testimonies and evidence needed to portray their client in a positive light and make sure all the legal processes, such as questioning, are carried out in a fair and legally responsible way that protects their client’s interests.

What is a sexual offence allegation?

Sexual offence allegations can cover a massive range of offences including rape, sexual exploitation, grooming, child abuse, indecent images, sexual assaults and historic sexual allegations.

Because it is such an expansive area of law, it is always advisable to make sure you hire a solicitor (like this Sacramento criminal lawyer) who specializes in cases that are similar to that which you have been accused of to get the best possible representation. Try looking for a criminal lawyer who has a track record of successfully handling similar cases and can navigate the complexities of the law to provide you with the best defence.

A large part of what a solicitor will do in a sexual offence allegation involves collecting evidence and extensively reviewing any evidence that is being called into question. They will also interview witnesses to try and find any discrepancies that would help counter the allegations that have been made against you.

Care in the station

Often, those who are accused of a sexual offence allegation have never come into contact with the police before; this can make the whole ordeal far more traumatic if they are visited or called suddenly and asked to come in for questioning.

If you are contacted by the police and told you are a person of interest or that you need to answer some questions, you should always call up your solicitor as quickly as possible so that they can be by your side throughout everything and help you both understand the process. Furthermore, by doing so, you can avoid making matters worse for yourself unknowingly.

What should you do if you have been wrongly accused of a sexual offence?

The short answer to this is to simply call your solicitor at the earliest possible convenience.

Even if you are 100% sure of your innocence, you must get a legal support network in place so that matters can be resolved quickly and without causing any disruptions to your professional or social life.

Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to make contact with the person who is accusing you of a sexual offence since this has the potential to only make matters worse. You should, however, make sure that any communication between yourself and the accuser is saved and logged so that your solicitor can provide clear evidence of any communication.

Given the sensitive nature of sexual offence allegations, the sooner you get in touch with a reputable solicitor, the better your chances are of having fair and proper legal representation.

There are many things in life that you can either do yourself or hire a professional for, and although their services are usually sought at a time of grief, the services of a probate legal representative is not that different from hiring any other professional. You have to consider three factors; your skills, the complexity of the job and the cost of the professional.

Assessing your skills

Deciding whether to seek legal assistance hinges largely on your personal skills and expertise. If you’re a registered member of the Law Society and have ample time to spare, you might possess the proficiency to handle even complex probate cases.

However, if you’re not a legal professional, certain skills become essential. These include robust organizational skills, particularly concerning paperwork, careful attention to detail, and effective communication with banks and the probate office. In such cases, before committing to navigating the probate process independently, it’s prudent to collaborate with a Probate Attorney. Handling these matters on your own could potentially lead to unfavorable outcomes that you may regret in the long run.

The complexity of the estate

Not all journeys through probate are the same, and some are so trivial that they do not involve having to engage with the probate office at all. The first step is to estimate the total value of the estate; if it is below 5000, probate is unlikely to be required. Even if there is no will, the next of kin and rules of inheritance will come into effect, and you would have to distribute the assets accordingly. Any form of legal dispute would probably be more expensive than the inheritance itself, and as long as the principles of next of kin have been followed, any legal dispute would be frivolous if there is no will.

Estates above 5,000 in value but below the inheritance tax threshold can be highly variable; they can be simple in the presence of a well-written will or if there is a living spouse. But they can also be highly challenging with assets having been spread out in multiple bank accounts in various nations or if there are in-laws, stepchildren or adopted children involved.

If the estate exceeds the inheritance tax thresholds, it is highly recommended that you gain legal guidance; failing to pay inheritance tax has legal ramifications. It is also likely that not all assets will be tax optimised. Additionally, if there is any dispute related to inheritance or the size of the estate, this would justify actions in court.

Possible cost

Some will-writing services, such as life insurance policies or savings accounts, will include legal advice as a perk of their product, so you should check these first when it comes to managing an estate of someone who has passed.

There are many ways that probate solicitors Portsmouth charge for services that can make comparison tricky. Many will charge a percentage fee of 1% to 5% of the total estate, whereas others will charge an hourly rate based on the quantity of work. Some charge both, but that does not necessarily mean they are more or less expensive. Furthermore, you should be aware that most solicitors will quote you a price not including VAT, so when hiring someone to manage probate, it is best to be cautious and hire those who are upfront about fees.