Spanish Tax Return (La Renta in Spain)
- Venetia House
- Mar 20, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 19
Spanish Tax Return (La Renta) for Expats in Spain
La Renta is the Spanish Personal Income Tax Return (IRPF).
If you are considered tax resident in Spain, you may be required to declare your worldwide income each year to the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria).
This includes income from all sources, regardless of where it is earned, such as:
• pensions (UK or overseas)
• employment income
• self-employment (autónomo) income
• rental income
• savings interest and investments
• dividends and capital gains
Spanish tax residency is usually triggered when a person spends more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year, although other factors may also apply.
La Renta Campaign Dates
The tax return is filed the year after the income is earned.
Each year the campaign generally runs from early April until the end of June
At Expay, we begin preparing submissions for the Spanish Tax Return (la Renta), from mid-April and close new submissions around 25 June to allow time for queries, calculations, and payment arrangements before the official deadline.
Who needs to submit a Spanish Tax Return? (la Renta)
Not every resident must file, but many expats do.
You will usually need to submit a return if:
• you are tax resident in Spain
• you were registered as autónomo during the year
• you received income from more than one country or payer
• you have rental or investment income
• you sold property or investments
• you wish to reclaim tax or confirm your tax position for residency purposes
Even where filing is not strictly mandatory, submitting a return is often advisable to keep your Spanish tax record clear.
Worldwide Income
Spain operates a worldwide income system.
This means all income must be declared, even if tax has already been paid abroad.
Spain has Double Taxation Agreements with many countries (including the UK). Where the rules apply, foreign tax paid may be credited within the Spanish calculation. This avoids the same income being taxed twice, but it still needs to be declared correctly.
Allowances and Taxation
Spanish income tax is progressive and personal. The final result depends on your income type, your region, and your personal and family circumstances (age, disability, dependants, etc.).
This is why general “tax tables” rarely give a reliable answer for expats with mixed overseas income.
What expats usually worry about (and what we help with)
Most people don’t struggle with a Spanish tax return because they’re “bad with paperwork” — it’s because the rules feel unfamiliar, and overseas income adds extra layers. These are the most common worries we see:
• “Do I need to file at all?”
• “I’ve already paid tax in the UK / elsewhere… will Spain tax it again?”
• “I’ve got pensions… which bits are taxed, and where?”
• “I’m on a Non Lucrative Visa… does this affect my renewal?”
• “I have savings, interest, shares, dividends, crypto, or investment accounts.”
• “I sold a property or shares… what happens now?”
• “Modelo 720… do I need it?”
If you’re unsure, send us a short summary of your situation and we’ll tell you what applies and what we need from you to proceed.
Digital certificate
We strongly recommend obtaining a Spanish Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital).
It allows secure online submission and communication with the Tax Agency and removes the need for additional permissions in most cases.
Certificates can be obtained online via FNMT or through identity verification offices.
We can guide you through this if needed.
How Expay helps
At Expay, we support expats with La Renta submissions from start to finish:
• confirm whether you need to file and what applies to your situation
• provide a clear document checklist (no unnecessary back-and-forth)
• prepare the return and explain the result before submitting
• submit online and confirm the outcome
• support with payments, refunds, and follow-up if required
We are a family team supporting expats in Spain for over 6 years, with clear timelines, predictable fees, and personal support throughout the process.
Questions
For general tax questions and updates, you’re welcome to join our community group:
Honest Help for expats
For personalised advice or a detailed review of your situation, please contact us directly.
Email: expayonline@outlook.com
Facebook: @ExpayOnline
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