I just paid all my bills for this month, which I got by post from Motovun, and I feel kind of good about it. Done. Out of my way. But there is one bill that is still pending, for I have no idea how much I owe. I am talking about my income tax, which has popped up out of the blue a short while ago. And by law. From now on, foreign pensions are taxable, too. Bingo. I have long written to the appropriate tax authority in Istria, and sent a copy to the Croatian minister of finance, no less, but I have received not a word from either of them so far (“My Command of the Croatian Language,” January 20, 2013). This is Croatia in a nutshell. One is supposed to know each and every law in this country. By heart, as well. Questions to the appropriate authorities will thus be left unanswered no matter how persistent. Figure it out, buddy. Or else. The best idea I have had on the pending bill is to get the bank account number of the Istrian tax authority in question and send them a random amount together with a short letter explaining my confusion. Just like that. Perhaps they will react at long last with all the warnings and threats that such reactions invariably contain. By now I am sort of used to the bureaucratic bullying, but I may finally learn how much I owe. Eureka!

Addendum I (February 28, 2013)

I just paid my tax, as well. To the best of my understanding, which has improved the last few weeks, today is the last date for payment. As planned, the amount I paid is pretty random. Thus I sent yet another letter to the tax authorities in Pazin together with a copy of the payment slip, which I got from one of my Croatian banks. Once again, I dutifully asked for instructions. If I get any response, it will almost certainly be about the paucity of my payment, for it would cover only about a month. The rest of the tax year would remain in question. This is where my struggle will begin, as I will argue that I have not been informed in time, and that I cannot be charged retroactively. Which is why my correspondence has been sent to a lawyer, as well. To wit, I asked about my tax obligations more than a decade ago, and I was told that I had none for the time being. On top of this, I asked for instructions earlier this month, too. It was up to the tax authorities in Pazin to inform me about the change in tax policy. If needed, I am ready to go to court all the way to Strasbourg one more time. Croatian authorities need to be taught a few lessons, and I am ready to deliver them in the fullness of time. Eureka!

Addendum II (March 28, 2013)

Having received not a peep in response to my two missives last month, this morning I paid my tax yet again. The amount is the same as it was the last time—pretty random. Just like last month, I sent a copy of the payment slip to the tax authorities in Pazin. For good measure, I also sent them one more letter, which I copied one more time to the Croatian minister of finance and my lawyer, but I explained that this would be my last missive of this sort. From now on, I will be paying my income tax the same as heretofore, but I will be pleading for information never again. Enough is enough. Most important, I promised to take them to court if they start chasing me for anything concerning my tax. And I mentioned Strasbourg in no uncertain terms. If I am not worthy of any response as a Croatian citizen, I pointed out, I am certainly worthy of it as a British citizen residing in Croatia. And my double citizenship is something I alerted them to in my very first letter. So, the ball is squarely in their court now. My lawyer would surely know how to deal with them if anything goes awry, for my three letters provide all the ammunition he might need in preparing a court case. But I am more than eager to turn the untrustworthy Croatian courts against their own bosses in the unscrupulous government. Eureka for the third and last time!