King and soccer star on list of debtors

News desk NEARLY 120'000 people owe the Palma city council a total of more than eight million euros, and they have just 15 days in which to pay up, or they will face a surcharge. The full list of late payers was published in the Official Balearic Island Gazette (BOIB) of November 30, where it takes up 575 pages. With the publication of the names, the government considers that the debtors are aware that they owe the council money and steps will be taken to collect the sums, due for various concepts including traffic and parking fines and other municipal rates and charges, including the property rates (IBI). In addition to a surcharge, late payers also face the possibility of having their cars, bank accounts or even homes embargoed. The list includes King Juan Carlos and soccer player Samuel Eto'o. But not everyone is on the list - yet. This will be remedied in later editions of the BOIB. The amount of the debts range from a modest 7.84 euros to 3'000 euros, although the average is 60 to 72 euros. The city council only collects the taxes and fines when they are paid in the voluntary period. When that expires, it is the Balearic government which takes legal action to collect the money. How to check if your name is on the list: The BOIB is published on the Balearic government's website, www.caib.es/boib. Although the website appears in English as well as Catalan and Spanish, the full list only appears on the Catalan version. Click on to the BOIB of November 30 and go to 4-Anuncis, Secció I, Conselleria d'Economia i Hisenda.