https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed We all know that Spanish bureaucracy can be difficult to deal with, but these apps can make it just that little bit easier. https://www.thelocal.es/20260514/10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain Thu, 14 May 2026 10:17:48 +0200 10-apps-that-will-help-you-with-bureaucracy-in-spain Filling out your Spanish income tax return can be daunting and mistakes can be made, so what happens if you submit your form with an error? Will you always have to pay a fine and how much will it be? Is there a way of correcting the mistake in time? https://www.thelocal.es/20240520/what-are-the-fines-if-you-make-mistakes-on-your-spanish-tax-return Mon, 20 May 2024 14:09:07 +0200 what-are-the-fines-if-you-make-mistakes-on-your-spanish-tax-return Ever wondered who has the highest tax burden in Spain? We find out if you ultimately pay more as a salaried employee, a self-employed worker, an investor or a landlord. https://www.thelocal.es/20260512/explained-do-spains-self-employed-pay-more-tax-than-employees Tue, 12 May 2026 15:37:40 +0200 explained-do-spains-self-employed-pay-more-tax-than-employees Spain's Digital Certificate is a must for anyone who wants to save time with official processes. However, if your Digital Certificate expires, it's not always a straightforward process to renew. Here are all the steps to follow. https://www.thelocal.es/20220602/how-to-renew-your-digital-certificate-in-spain Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:28:48 +0200 how-to-renew-your-digital-certificate-in-spain If you bought a property in Spain last year and you're a tax resident, it's mandatory to declare this on your income tax return. Here's how. https://www.thelocal.es/20260511/how-your-annual-tax-declaration-changes-when-you-buy-a-property-in-spain Mon, 11 May 2026 10:59:52 +0200 how-your-annual-tax-declaration-changes-when-you-buy-a-property-in-spain You must complete your 2025-2026 'Declaración de la Renta' (annual income tax return) before June 30th 2026. This step-by-step guide can help you complete the process. https://www.thelocal.es/20220412/how-to-complete-spains-declaracion-de-la-renta-tax-return Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:09:22 +0200 how-to-complete-spains-declaracion-de-la-renta-tax-return If you live in Spain, you’ll need to be fully aware of all the tax implications and make sure you adhere to the rules, otherwise you may be fined or worse. Here's how the Spanish tax agency finds out if you're not declaring properly. https://www.thelocal.es/20250515/how-does-spains-tax-agency-detect-fraud Thu, 15 May 2025 17:21:59 +0200 how-does-spains-tax-agency-detect-fraud The deadline for filing your Spanish annual income tax return is just a couple of months away, but working out whether to file jointly or as an individual can be tricky. Here's everything you need to know in order to help you decide. https://www.thelocal.es/20220601/is-it-better-to-do-a-joint-or-separate-tax-declaration-if-youre-a-couple-in-spain Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:38:55 +0200 is-it-better-to-do-a-joint-or-separate-tax-declaration-if-youre-a-couple-in-spain If you're a Spanish tax resident based in Madrid, there are several deductions you may be able to apply for on your annual return. Find out what they are and if you're eligible. https://www.thelocal.es/20260430/listed-the-spanish-tax-deductions-for-people-living-in-madrid Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:45:25 +0200 listed-the-spanish-tax-deductions-for-people-living-in-madrid There are two months left to file Spain’s annual tax return, so where do new arrivals stand regarding this? Are they already tax residents? What if they didn’t work in Spain last year and only arrived in 2026? https://www.thelocal.es/20240612/do-i-have-to-do-spains-annual-tax-declaration-if-i-arrived-recently Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:17:08 +0200 do-i-have-to-do-spains-annual-tax-declaration-if-i-arrived-recently A new report has suggested the Spanish tax system could be creating disincentives that make starting a family harder in the country. https://www.thelocal.es/20260427/spanish-tax-system-could-be-holding-back-birth-rate-report-shows Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:28:25 +0200 spanish-tax-system-could-be-holding-back-birth-rate-report-shows Whether you've completed Spain’s annual 'declaración de la renta' (income tax return) before or this is your first time, there are several key points and common blunders you need to keep in mind before doing so. https://www.thelocal.es/20230427/nine-mistakes-to-avoid-when-filing-your-spanish-tax-return Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:29:12 +0200 nine-mistakes-to-avoid-when-filing-your-spanish-tax-return Find out who has to complete the income tax declaration this year and who is exempt. https://www.thelocal.es/20250331/explained-who-has-to-do-a-tax-declaration-in-spain-in-2026 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:56:51 +0200 explained-who-has-to-do-a-tax-declaration-in-spain-in-2026 If you live in the Valencian Community, there are several tax deductions you may be able to apply to your income tax return this year. https://www.thelocal.es/20260413/five-tax-deductions-you-can-benefit-from-in-spains-valencia-region Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:58:48 +0200 five-tax-deductions-you-can-benefit-from-in-spains-valencia-region If you're a resident of Andalusia, there are several new tax deductions you may be able to benefit from on this year’s personal income tax return, the 2025/2026 'declaración de la renta'. https://www.thelocal.es/20260409/listed-the-new-tax-deductions-for-people-in-spains-andalusia-region Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:10:10 +0200 listed-the-new-tax-deductions-for-people-in-spains-andalusia-region If you live in Barcelona or somewhere else in Catalonia, it's important to be aware of the regional tax deductions available to you before you file your annual tax return, covering everything from housing, to donations and child costs. https://www.thelocal.es/20260410/tax-season-in-spain-the-regional-deductions-you-can-get-in-catalonia Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:17:23 +0200 tax-season-in-spain-the-regional-deductions-you-can-get-in-catalonia There have been lots of rumours in recent weeks regarding new rules on VAT payments for Spain's self-employed. Is it true that 'autónomos' no longer need to charge and declare VAT if they earn below a certain amount? https://www.thelocal.es/20260401/whats-happening-with-vat-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:33:56 +0200 whats-happening-with-vat-for-self-employed-workers-in-spain The deadline is fast approaching for residents in Spain to file a Modelo 720 – a declaration to the Spanish taxman of assets held abroad. Find out the reasons you might need to file it. https://www.thelocal.es/20190312/march-31st-deadline-who-needs-to-file-a-modelo-720-asset-declaration Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:20:27 +0100 march-31st-deadline-who-needs-to-file-a-modelo-720-asset-declaration Spain allows taxpayers to get an income tax deduction of between €1,150 and €2,550 per year if they share a home with a parent or grandparent over the age of 65. These are the requirements and other key information. https://www.thelocal.es/20260212/how-to-get-a-tax-deduction-if-you-live-with-an-elderly-relative-in-spain Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:05:34 +0100 how-to-get-a-tax-deduction-if-you-live-with-an-elderly-relative-in-spain This February, those who own tourist or other short-term rental accommodation in Spain will have to submit a new declaration form to Spanish authorities, providing details of their business corresponding to 2025. https://www.thelocal.es/20260128/short-term-let-owners-in-spain-must-complete-new-form-in-february Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:43:38 +0100 short-term-let-owners-in-spain-must-complete-new-form-in-february