If you own a property in Spain you should be ready for the unexpected. Not everything will run logically or operate in the way that you are used to. If your connection with Spain is more than a few years old, you will know exactly what I mean. For example, take a neighbour of ours. […]

As the deadline for the non-resident tax declarations (December 31st) approaches, many non-residents with property in Spain have been coming to us with their questions. Here, we summarise the answers. Am I a resident or a non-resident? If you live in Spain for more than 183 days a year then you are a resident here. […]

Do you ever get thrown by this question? Having lived in Spain for a few years now I find it increasingly difficult to decide how to respond. Of course, the context is all important. If I am in a bar talking to someone new then I would probably reply, ‘Coventry,England’ as the place where I […]

It’s October and already in some countries, there is the tentative onset of Christmas preparations.  The early heralding of the Christmas season is something that some of our native countries are renowned for. In Spain, however, the coming of Christmas is a much more low-key affair. Its equal positioning alongside other Christian festivals is, personally, […]

In the middle of an economic crisis it seems as though European governments are thinking up even more weird and wonderful ways of clawing back money. Of course, taxation is one of the main ways that they can attempt to make the books balance. But who would have thought the Spanish government would think of […]

Where should the majority of tax be collected from? Countries have, by and large, come to the same kinds of conclusions. We expect to make some contribution to the state purse from our earnings and income. We are also used to having VAT on services and goods that we use. Road tax, council tax, tax […]

During the months of April to June, fiscal representatives around the Spain are very busy. This is the time of year when the Spanish resident tax declarations are completed.  If you are over a basic threshold then you are required to complete an annual tax declaration in Spain as a resident before June 30th  each […]

In 2012 the Spanish tax authority uncovered 4,700 undeclared rentals as a result of information received from the electricity companies. This is probably the tip of the iceberg. Many non-resident property owners who rent out their property in Spain still seem to be unaware of the need to declare their Spanish rental income to the […]

The Spanish Government has to increase the amount of tax it collects alongside saving money through austerity measures. One of the main ways that countries have been doing this across Europe is through increasing the rate of VAT (IVA in Spain). Spain followed suit in September 2012. In this article we will go through some […]

It’s no longer just a case of making sure you don’t lose your credit card or have it stolen. You have to watch out for internet fraud too if you’re going to protect your bank account. Occasionally, someone will contact us concerned about an email they have received directly from the Spanish Tax Authority (Agencia […]

Spain is one of 11 countries who have added their signature to the request to implement the Tobin Tax or Financial Transition Tax (FTT). This is a tax that would be levied on bank transactions and is seen as one way of funding economic recovery. Although it might not entirely warrant the ‘Robin Hood’ tax […]

Having a second home in another country is a wonderful luxury. However, it also requires taking care of. There are bills to pay, taxes to settle and the usual maintenance jobs – all with the added difficulty of being in another country and perhaps in another language.  It is very important to keep up with […]

We’re often asked the question ‘am I a resident in Spain?’ If you live in Spain for more than 183 days (and they need not be consecutive) in any one year then yes, you are. That bit’s simple. But how do you prove it? Most people would probably answer ‘by applying for the green residencia’. […]

Who does it apply to? Non-residents with a house in Spain who have not presented their imputed income tax. Every non-resident must pay two annual property taxes: Council tax (IBI) Income tax (La Renta) payable even if you don’t rent out your property Are you at risk? You are at risk if you have not […]

People can think that all they need is a green civil residency certificate to prove they are resident in Spain. In this article we explain that having a certificate of fiscal residency  can be much more useful. We’re often asked the question ‘am I a resident in Spain?’ If you live in Spain for more […]

The new co-payment system The cost of prescriptions in Spain is increasing. The new system is being implemented in two stages: Stage 1 From 1st July anyone given a prescription in Spain should notice that it will include the percentage of the cost that they have to pay. This income information will be taken from […]

The tax year in Spain coincides with the calendar year, beginning on January 1st and ending on December 31st. The main dates you need to be aware of are: Who When What Residents June 30th 2015 Resident annual tax declarations (for the year 2014) Non-residents December 31th 2015 Non-resident annual tax declarations (for the year […]

Many people rent out Spanish property. Sometimes these are short term, holiday lets in Spain in other cases they are long term lets. It can be a good option for those who have payments to make on their property or for those who bought the property as an investment. However, renting out your property does […]

There are many ways in which you can be informed if you have broken the law, missed a payment or done something else that breaks a country’s rules and regulations. Recorded delivery, phone calls, perhaps even an official visit to your home are all ways in which we might expect to be approached and informed […]

Who might receive a letter? Since the end of 2011, the Spanish Tax Authority has sent out thousands of letters to resident and non-resident property owners. They have targeted those people who have not made a tax declaration during  2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The letter does not refer to the payment of IBI […]

What must I pay? You must pay for each property: Local Taxes (Council Tax, IBI) Government Taxes (Income Tax) Local Taxes These taxes are paid directly to your Town Hall or via the SUMA offices. They are a form of Council Tax. Government taxes These taxes are paid to the Agencia Tributaria (Tax Authority). They […]

I am resident in Spain. What should I be paying? If you are resident in Spain you have to pay two types of taxes each year: Local Taxes (Council Tax, IBI) These taxes are paid directly to your Town Hall or via the SUMA offices. Government Taxes (Income Tax) These taxes are paid to the […]

Spanish Council Tax is applicable to resident and non-resident property owners. Calculated on the rateable value of the property (valor catastral), Council Tax is applicable to resident and non-resident property owners alike. It is a municipal tax payable to the local Town Hall (in a number of areas it is referred to as SUMA as […]