Expat Files – 08.14.15

-Colombia is on the map as one of the latest, greatest retirement destinations- that’s according to nearly all of the popular retirement rags and blogs. But what most gringos and Expats don’t realize is that the country’s very heavily taxed business and manufacturing sector is forcing many medium and large companies to close or flee to more business friendly countries. Colombia now has a corporate tax structure with rates hovering around 75% and the country is rapidly de-industrializing.    
 
– Gringo tipping anxiety in Latin America: a primer on restaurant bills/charges and common gringo tipping mistakes and false assumptions 
 
-Ecuador’s socialist government is in an expensive growth spurt (some surprise, huh?) and now that tax revenues are way down (due to the big oil price slump) President Correa is preparing to substantially increase taxes on more productive sectors of society.    
 
-S.A. corporations are alive and well in Latin America but much less than 5% of the population have one or even know anything about them or what they’re for…
 
-Here’s a stale, old Latin joke… but it’s true:
 
Pancho, “Hey Senor, where is the men’s room?”  
 
Jose, “Anywhere you like.”
 
CONSULT WITH JOHNNY- SCHEDULE A CELL OR SKYPE CALL:
 
Follow the consult link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com and Johnny will help you sort out your Latin American plans.