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Property Tax Tips / Spanish Property Tax

When do I need to file my tax return and pay the Spanish tax on rental income?

New Update! As of the 2024 tax year, if you pay tax on rental income in Spain as a non-resident, you can now file your rental income tax return annually. This marks a significant change from the previous requirement, where non-residents were obliged to file quarterly tax returns for rental income. However, if you do have rental income prior to 2024, you will need to still submit this as quarterly tax returns. In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of the new update and how it impacts property owners.

How will this impact property owners?

The new update for 2024 allows non-residents who pay tax on rental income in Spain to file their tax returns once a year instead of every three months. This means that property owners will no longer need to file their tax returns four times a year, but just once annually. This change will make things easier for property owners by reducing the amount of paperwork and time spent on taxes. Additionally, with only one filing deadline to meet, there’s less risk of missing deadlines and incurring penalties. Overall, this update simplifies the tax process, allowing property owners to focus more on managing their properties and less on administrative tasks.

File your Spanish property tax return online

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I am a non-resident with rental property in Spain. When do I need to file my tax return and pay the Spanish tax on rental income?

As a non-resident in Spain with rental property, you will need to file your tax return between January 1 and January 20, 2025.  Note that if you are paying your tax through direct debit, you need to file a bit earlier – by January 15, 2025

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What about income earned in the previous tax years?

For income earned in previous tax years (before 2024), the old rules still apply. This means that for any rental income you earned before 2024, you need to file your tax returns quarterly, not annually. Example: For income earned on your rental property in Spain, you would have had to file four separate tax returns throughout 2023—one for each quarter. The rental income tax in Spain deadline would have been in April, July, October, and January of the following year. The new rule for annual filing only applies to income earned from January 1, 2024, onwards. So, any rental income from previous years still follows the old quarterly filing system. Spanish-style villas with terracotta roofs and balconies, surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery

Should I file a tax return if I don’t have rental income?

As a non-resident property owner in Spain, you are indeed required to file a tax return and pay certain taxes, even if you do not have rental income. Spain has a concept called “Deemed Rental Income” for non-resident property owners. Deemed rental income is basically an assumption by the Spanish tax authorities that even if you don’t rent out the property, you may still have income deriving from the property, so you have to file a tax return. Therefore, even if you don’t earn actual rental income from a property in Spain, you are likely required to file a tax return due to the deemed rental income assessment. Note that there can be exemptions for having to pay Deemed rental income, such as if the property is your principal residence (and you’re an EU/EEA resident) or if specific tax treaties apply.

Conclusion: Submitting Your Non-Resident Property Taxes in Spain

Who are we?

At Property Tax International, we have over 25 years of experience preparing international tax returns, having filed over a million tax returns so far! If you own property in the US, UK, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, or Ireland, Property Tax International can assist you with filing your tax return. The red and yellow flag of Spain with the coat of arms, waving in the wind against a blue sky with white clouds.

Why choose us?

Our team can handle all the documentation and file your Spanish property tax return online. When you choose us to handle your property tax return, you can rest assured that:

  • Your Spanish tax return will be prepared by our experts at a fraction of the cost of a local accountant
  • Your international property tax-related questions will be answered by our specialists
  • We will apply every applicable international tax agreement, tax relief, and allowable expenses
  • We provide multilingual support via phone and email
  • You’ll receive updates throughout the process, and we’ll communicate directly with the Spanish tax office on your behalf

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Property Tax Tips / Spanish Property Tax

IBI Tax in Spain and Imputed Income Tax – Everything You Need to Know

If you own property in Spain, you’re probably familiar with the IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) local property tax. This is the standard tax paid to local authorities, but many non-resident property owners mistakenly believe that once this is settled, their tax obligations are complete. However, if you’re a non-resident and own an urban property in Spain, there’s another crucial tax you must file: the imputed tax, also known as deemed annual tax. This tax applies to non-residents who own property in Spain, even if the property is unoccupied. While it might seem like a hassle, staying on top of your imputed income tax is crucial to avoid penalties and interest charges. The Deadline for 2023 is looming! In this guide, we will cover all the essential information you need to know about both taxes.

What is the IBI tax in Spain?

The Spanish IBI tax (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is a local property tax charged by your town hall, similar to council tax in the UK, but usually less expensive. In some regions of Spain, it’s also called the SUMA tax. Like council tax in the UK, the IBI tax helps fund local services such as road maintenance, street lighting, and schools. Paying the IBI tax is essential because it’s used to calculate other property-related taxes in Spain. The tax is due every year by the person who owns the property as of January 1st. So, if you buy a home on January 2nd, the previous owner will pay that year’s IBI tax, and you’ll begin paying it the following year. All property owners, whether residents or non-residents, are required to pay this tax. In some areas, the IBI tax may also cover garbage collection, but this isn’t always the case, so it’s something to check when purchasing property. For more details on waste disposal, check out our guide to utilities in Spain.

How is IBI Tax Calculated in Spain?

IBI tax in Spain is based on your property’s cadastral value, which is the value assigned by local tax authorities. You can find this value on your IBI tax documents, and it’s usually much lower than the property’s market value. The IBI tax typically ranges from 0.4% to 1.1% of the cadastral value. A visual representation of the concept of homeownership and financial planning, with a puzzle piece house symbolizing homeownership and a calculator symbolizing financial calculations.

When is IBI Tax Due?

The due date for IBI tax is set by your local town hall, so it can vary depending on where your property is located. When buying a new property, make sure to ask the town hall about the specific due date.

What Happens If I Don’t Pay My IBI Tax?

Not paying your IBI tax can lead to serious issues. In extreme cases, your property could even be seized.  Town halls are becoming stricter about collecting unpaid taxes, so it’s more important than ever to pay on time. If you don’t pay your IBI tax, you won’t be able to file your non-resident tax since you need proof of IBI payment to do so. Also, properties with unpaid IBI tax can’t be bought or sold until the debt is cleared. Keep in mind that you won’t receive a reminder to pay your IBI tax, so it’s up to you to know when and how much to pay. It’s a good idea to hire a lawyer or tax expert to help ensure everything is handled correctly and on time.

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What is the Non-Resident Imputed Income Tax in Spain?

If you’re a non-resident who owns property in Spain but doesn’t rent it out, you’ll need to pay the Non-Resident Imputed Income Tax (IRNR). It is also known as deemed income tax. This tax applies even if the property is just for personal use or stays vacant all year.

For Multiple Owners

If you own the property with others, each co-owner must file a separate tax return. The tax is divided based on each person’s share of the property, so you’ll need to report your specific ownership percentage.

How is it Calculated?

To calculate the imputed income tax, use this formula: Cadastral Value x Imputed Percentage x Tax Rate You’ll need the cadastral value of your property, which you can find on your local tax receipt (IBI or SUMA), by contacting the local town hall, or visiting www.sedecatastro.gob.es. The imputed percentage ranges between 1.1% and 2%, depending on your property’s location. If there was a revision in the last 10 years our property tax advisors can use 1.1%, but this depends on the region. Will have to check with CIty Hall the information, if it is not listed in the IBI document. The tax rate is 19% for residents of the EU, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, while non-EU residents pay 24%. If multiple people own the property, each must file their own Modelo 210, with the tax split according to ownership.

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When is the Deadline?

Have you paid your IBI local tax and assumed all your tax obligations are complete? Think again! If you own an urban property in Spain, there’s an additional tax you must declare each year: Modelo 210, also known as the imputed or non-resident tax. In addition to your IBI tax, this annual declaration is required to stay compliant with Spanish tax laws. The deadline for the 2023 tax year is fast approaching—December 23, 2024. Don’t miss it!

Who can help me?

We understand that Spain’s imputed income tax can feel overwhelming, especially for non-residents. But don’t worry—we’re here to help! At Property Tax International (PTI Returns), we handle the entire process of preparing your tax forms for Spain’s imputed income tax. With years of experience in Spanish property tax services, we ensure our clients stay fully compliant with all necessary tax laws. Property Tax International will keep you informed every step of the way and handle all communication with the Spanish tax office on your behalf. If you have rental income, we can also help you file your rental income tax return. Got questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Property Tax Tips

Tax advice for Airbnb hosts with property abroad

Renting out your holiday home or buy-to-let on a home-sharing website such as Airbnb or Vrbo can yield attractive returns.

However, tax on Airbnb property abroad can be perplexing.

Many overseas landlords don’t realize how much tax they owe as a host. Are you getting all of your tax breaks?

We’ve answered some of the most common tax questions from short-term rental hosts with properties abroad like you.

Here is what you need to know about tax on Airbnb property abroad.

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Irish Property Tax / Property Tax Tips

How your mortgage can affect your buy-to-let property tax bill?

If you’re considering buying a rental property in Ireland, it’s important to understand how the mortgage you choose will affect your buy-to-let property tax bill.

A buy-to-let mortgage is a type of mortgage taken by a person who purchases a property, not as a place to live, but rather as an investment.

Buy-to-let mortgages are different from ordinary residential mortgages because the amount you borrow does not depend on how much you earn.

The arrangement fees on buy-to-let mortgages may be more expensive and the interest rates tend to be higher as well.

In this guide, you will learn the basics of how buy-to-let mortgages work and how you can save money on property tax in Ireland.

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Property Tax Tips

How to be property tax-savvy in 2023

Owning a property is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make and it’s a huge financial responsibility.

As with any investment, you need to know how to get the most out of it. Knowing the tax credits and tax deductions available to property can help you ensure your investment pays you back.

In this guide, we will outline some useful tax tips for property owners who want to save money and reduce their taxes.

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Property Tax Tips

New Brexit property tax information non-resident owners should know

British people with holiday homes abroad could face shockingly high tax bills, according to new claims.

Following the official departure of the United Kingdom from the EU on 31 December, many foreign homeowners were understandably anxious about how their property would be affected.

Not many people are aware of subtle changes around international property tax for UK residents. 

With that in mind, we will explore the facts that non-resident homeowners should know.

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Property Tax Tips

Just invested in your first foreign buy-to-let property? Here’s everything you need to know about tax.

When purchasing your first foreign buy-to-let property, there are a variety of factors to consider like return on investment, cost and location – but one factor you may not have considered is tax.

International property tax may not be the most exciting topic. But, by getting a strong grasp of the local tax rules, you can save yourself a lot of money and stress at the tax deadline.

Tax rules can differ from country to country and in this guide, we will give you some practical tips on how to save on your buy-to-let tax bill and remain compliant when filing your tax return overseas, as well as where you can go for tax advice. 

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Property Tax Tips

File property tax overseas while you drink your coffee

Are you a landlord in a foreign country?

If so, you have probably spent hours trying to understand the tax laws in that state, so that you could file your property tax return.

Owning a property abroad can be hugely rewarding when you have the right help at your side.

If you are earning rental income from your overseas property, you have a tax obligation in the country where your property is located and in your own country.

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