When we the Expat community visit a gestor or gestoria, we believe we are entering into the office of a legal entity such as a registered financial tax consultant or someone with the legal capacity to carry out your tax returns. This should be the case but it is often not so. Many people are calling themselves gestors when they do not hold a title to do so. These so called gestors will need to use the services of either a qualified gestor or a tax consultant. The results a less economical service. You have to consider that your papers are now changing hands between various offices. This information will most probably have you understanding why you can be quoted varying prices for the same service. Our community also make the mistake of using our lawyers as gestors as they in turn will use the services of a tax consultant or gestor for vehicles.

The admin of this site gives an accurate description here:  http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/the_gestor_gestoria/

A gestor is not a licensed professional. In reality, he is just a clerk with experience and good contacts. In theory, you could open a gestor?a tomorrow, so you need to be selective when you search one out. He can help you with basic administrative processes,  but if you can find a gestor?a that doubles as an abogado or contable or some such within the same office, then you can be more confident.

To find a good gestor is like finding a good solicitor. Word of mouth recommendations are useful. Ask people who are in business, such as your local pub, or shop. See if you can find one who can speak your language well. (And I mean, well. Not just ?can get by?). Many gestor?as are multi-lingual. You will find them listed in paginasamarillas (yellow pages, in case you weren?t sure) under Gestor?as Administrativas.

REPUTATION is key!

To set up as a gestor you should hold the title of Gestor Administrativo. The confusion arises with setting up as a asesoria where you do not in fact need the title.  For anyone who has a knowledge of Spanish and wishes to research the matter further could visit sites such as: http://www.gestoresgranada.es/index.php?nSeccion=25

This debate alone will bring to light the importance of knowing the correct proceedures and not to place important duties into the hands of any office that may not be prepared for what is a serious business such as dealing with tax issues.

Myra Azzopardi