Oh dear, oh dear!

Just returned to live in Bern after a five-year absence from Switzerland and have received an unpaid tax bill from the Basel Steuerverwaltung when I lived and worked there in 2004 - although I'm sure I paid this, I guess I don't have much of an argument as I no longer have any records from my previous life here.

Nevertheless, as the sum owed is quite a bit - to me anyway - I wonder if I have a chance of paying it back in instalments? The pigs want it paid by October 2nd and any current savings I have are in UK trusts and bonds - can't free 'em up till 2014!

I only received the bill on Saturday, so I wanted to know my options before heading to the tax office this week.

I'm sure it is possible to negotiate installments. Talk to them!

You need a tax accountant for Basel.

They would probably be amenable to installments.

An accountant would involve more money - hope I can sort out the negotiating myself.
Naturally, chatting is gonna help, but is there anything handy to quote when putting forward my case?

I would plead ignorance but show eagerness to pay off the debt.

Yep, I'd thought about doing a bit of acting to win their hearts... should they have any!

Hi,

you can always negotiate. What you did not say was how good is your German ? They are friendly and helpful though if you think of them as being "pigs" I don´t think will be that helpful. I have never had any problem with them.

Suggest a schedule for repayment though I would suggest ensuring that your offer looks like you are making a serious attempt to pay it off quickly but do not offer an amount which is likely to make it difficult to make the payments. They make try to increase the amount you have offered and it is good to have something in reserve. Whatever you do, do not miss a payment otherwise you will have a lot more problems.

All the best

Martin

Bring some acorn with you PIGS love theme

My German's crap, but I can use the international language of charm. Of course I won't be calling them pigs, though anyone in authority must be considered to be a member of the Suidae family!

You just did

In my experience authorities wanting money have always been willing to work something out. There was a miscalculation somewhere in my AVS over a couple of years that came out to a very large bill and they bent over backwards (rather than bending me over) to help out. I'm quite certain that the the taxman will be open to installments.

On accountants- I think they are worth every penny and wouldn't be without one!

Every tax cheat means more taxes for those that are honest and pay...

Try to keep it to four payments or less.. If you ask for more, they will want to see your "life history"... From my experience living in ZH. However, Basel may be different.

Although it is unlikely they will be very sympathetic if the OP calls them "pigs" to their face....

Excuse me, but inferring that I've been cheating the tax authorities is just completely out of order!

The term 'Pigs' in my original message was merely a reference to authorities who I may dislike but acknowledge nevertheless. This conituous misunderstanding that I would use such a term when trying to negotiate a payment scheme of instalments is absurd!

Cheers for the advice, Killa Silk.. some positive news there; although I hope a repayment of more than four instalments may be possible - any Basel residents out there who may have a view on this?

If I would be you ,I would drop it .You make it worst

Can you clarify your short message as I haven't the slightest idea what you're referring to?

Another unclear message, but I get the impression that I should censor my original thoughts. You're not ex-police, or something similarly unappealing?