Navigating Taxes in Spain, Part 2: Choosing & Working with Cross-Border Tax Advisors

Last week, I shared five lessons I learned from navigating the U.S. and Spanish tax systems after moving to Spain. One of those lessons was that while hiring good tax advisors is important, you can't outsource ownership of your financial life.

One of your first responsibilities, then, is assembling the right team of professionals to support you. The quality of those relationships can make a tremendous difference — not only in helping you stay compliant, but also in reducing stress and avoiding costly misunderstandings.

So how do you choose the right tax advisors, and how do you build an effective working relationship with them? Over the past several years, I've worked with multiple tax professionals in both the United States and Spain. While every situation is different, here are a few things I have learned along the way.

1. Plan on Having Two Tax Advisors

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the idea that a single advisor can handle everything. If you're a U.S. citizen living in Spain, you'll likely need:

- A U.S. tax advisor who understands the unique needs of Americans living abroad.

- A Spanish tax advisor who regularly works with foreign residents, including Americans.

Each advisor brings expertise in their own country's laws and their roles complement one another.

2. Look for Relevant Experience

Not every Spanish tax advisor who works with foreign residents has experience with American clients. When interviewing a prospective advisor, consider asking questions like:

- Do you regularly work with Americans living in Spain?

- How many U.S. clients do you currently work with?

- Have you worked with clients whose financial situation is similar to mine?

- How do you stay current on changes that affect international clients?

Experience matters. The more familiar an advisor is with situations like yours, the more likely they are to ask the right questions.

3. Understand How They Communicate

Technical expertise is important. Communication is equally important. Before hiring an advisor, ask questions such as:

- How do you communicate important tax deadlines?

- Do you proactively contact clients about deadlines or important updates or changes?

- What's your typical response time for questions?

- Are Zoom or video meetings available when something is complicated?

A good working relationship often depends as much on communication style as technical knowledge.

4. Clarify What's Included

Not all tax engagements are the same. Before signing on, understand:

- What services are included in the fee?

- Is tax planning included, or only tax preparation?

- If the tax authorities contact you, will you represent me?

- Are additional filings charged separately?

- How are unexpected issues handled?

Having these conversations upfront helps avoid surprises later.

5. Build a Partnership

Hiring the right advisors is only half the equation. Building an effective working relationship with them is equally important.

Keep your advisors informed when your situation changes. For example:

- A new job or self-employment

- Starting or closing a business

- Buying or selling property

- Receiving a significant gift or inheritance

- Major investment gains or losses

- Changes to where you live or how much time you spend in Spain

Don't assume your advisors know something simply because you mentioned it once in passing. If something could affect your taxes, bring it up.

Likewise, don't hesitate to ask questions until you understand the numbers that are being submitted to the tax authorities or the advice you're receiving. You don't need to become a tax expert, but you should understand the broad picture and feel comfortable with what's being filed on your behalf.

Finally, be clear about roles and responsibilities, including what you will own. Who is tracking deadlines? Who files extensions if needed? How will you be notified if something requires your attention? What information do you need to provide and when? The more explicit those expectations are, the smoother your working relationship will be.

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Moving abroad inevitably means relying on professionals — tax advisors, immigration attorneys, real estate specialists, and others. And choosing the right people is important. But equally important is building effective working relationships with them.

No advisor will ever know your situation as well as you do. The more clearly you communicate, ask questions, and stay engaged, the better equipped your advisors will be to help you.

If you're considering a move to Spain and would like help assembling the right team before you relocate, I'd be happy to talk through your situation. You can schedule a complimentary introductory call here.