It seems the Employment ministry are turning their attention to illegal working in Bulgaria. Bulgarian friends had an inspector turn up'on spec' at their building site and demand to see all their relevant paperwork, permissions, tax returns etc. which were all, naturally, at the Yambol office. The inspector said they are just driving round the Yambol area looking for building work in progress and 'pouncing'.

We are investigating the position regarding 'above board' working, as my son is looking to work here, the paperwork is a nightmare! The penalties for not complying are much, much worse, however. The inspector can impose fines, very large fines, out of which he pays himself 35% commission!

Remember though, it's not just working and earning money without declaring it that will get you in hot water, employing someone from the 'black economy' can get you into trouble too.

Remember, also, that there are people out here who will, even if you are 100% above board, legal and honest, 'shop' you to the tax man, here and in Britain, just because they can.

Being shopped to the Taxman in any Country is not a problem if you are 100% and above board.

Its only those that have something to hide who should worry.

ooer, theres lots of builders without the relevant documents, all nationalities. about time too. its time bulgaria got its act together and start to protect people. this is the only country i know where you can be anything you want to be, without proving it. my first experience of bulgaria was when my partner went to the barbers for a short cut. the barber had to be 90, had a 10p plastic comb and blunt scissors, sorry, but the best laugh id had in years, but horrified to what went on here.

Nothing to hide, nothing to fear? If you are being investigated by someone who profits from finding faults, you have everything to fear. If they can stick you with a fine of hundreds of leva for not having the right paperwork, and the investigator sticks a third of that fine straight into his back pocket, you can be certain he will be looking very carefully indeed for reasons to fine you.

The UK tax man moved the goalposts very recently to nobble people earning money abroad, e.g. working, or undeclared rental income, and can make life very difficult for ex-pats who don't comply.

I was Company Secretary for a LTD company in the UK, and have had personal experience of the UK tax man doing a tax investigation, the LTD Co. went bust!

The vast majority of Brits living out here just want to live their own lives, and let others get on with theirs, life's too short to meddle with other peoples affairs. Why can't everyone just 'live and let live?'