The following is a partial translation of an interview published by El Independiente with Robert Amsterdam, the founder of Amsterdam & Partners LLP who is leading the Spanish Tax Pickpockets advocacy effort. The full article can be read here.
The lawyer claims to have received testimonies from those affected, both high-income and low-income. He asserts that his intentions are not driven by partisan interests, but rather by the defense of taxpayers’ rights and, ultimately, democracy in Spain. During his stay in Madrid, he spoke to El Independiente , where he reiterated that the Spanish tax model, beyond the Beckham Law, violates the democratic principles of the European Union and announced that he will take his complaint to all courts within his reach.
What was the first case you saw that led you to investigate and ultimately led you to write this report?
Several friends urged me to do so, and at first I refused because I don’t practice tax law. But they told me they didn’t need a tax lawyer, but someone who would stand up to governments. We hadn’t seen this behavior from the Treasury before, and it piqued my interest. I’ve spent my entire life standing up to governments, both in business and politics. In fact, I’m currently banned from eight countries for working with their opponents. I want to make it clear that in Spain we’re not collaborating with any political party, but rather working for the benefit of all taxpayers. So far, we’ve focused on the Beckham Law, but we’re going to expand our reach. We’ve been contacted by people with limited resources who are being humiliated and psychologically affected by the Treasury.
This institution represents a threat to democracy in Spain. The fear of it is disproportionate. I saw it when I visited law firms that refused to help me for fear of being audited. The Treasury intimidates. We have been contacted by several groups denouncing politically motivated audits. This first report is just the beginning. We will continue investigating as long as necessary, not to take money from Spain, but to change the system. We help our clients and the Spanish people. It’s what motivates me every day. If we are not committed to meaningful work, life lacks meaning.