The new year often marks several changes to tax rules in Spain and 2026 is no different. From increases in capital gains tax to increased surveillance of money transfers and changes to personal income tax, here’s what you need to know.
Personal Income Tax
When it comes to IRPF or personal income tax, there will be several changes.
The most important change is that those receiving unemployment benefits will not be required to file an IRPF return. According to the Official State Gazette (BOE), in order to prevent a modification of taxes for unemployment benefit recipients, it is considered necessary “to eliminate this obligation to file an IRPF return”.
Secondly, compensation granted to those affected by forest fires and other emergencies such as floods that occurred between June 23rd and August 25th, 2025, will be exempt from Personal Income Tax.
The Spanish Tax Agency has also extended the simplified tax assessment system for personal income tax, maintaining a 5 percent reduction on net income from simplified tax assessments. This system applies primarily to farmers, livestock breeders, parts of the agri-food sector, the transport sector, and retail businesses.
Financial institutions to report all transactions by autónomos and high earners
Previously, financial institutions such as banks and online payment apps like Bizum were only required to report transactions over €3,000, but the beginning of 2026, that limit has been removed for the self-employed and small business owners. The aim is for the Tax Agency to be able track payments and compare them against reported income to put a stop to tax fraud.
Financial institutions will also be required to report annual card transactions when the total amount exceeds €25,000. This aims to detect those accounts with high levels of financial activity, without affecting regular users with moderate spending habits.
The information sent will include the professional’s identification, the business number or telephone number associated with the payment system, the invoiced amount, and the bank account linked to the transactions.
Bizum has confirmed it will not report transfers between friends or family members, as the recipient does not have a professional or commercial contract.
READ MORE: The key changes to bank transfers and money limits in Spain
Changes for Corporate Income Tax and Businesses
There will also be changes for Corporate Income Tax for businesses and newly created companies. Smaller companies will be able to pay 24 percent, instead of the general 25 percent, while micro-enterprises will be subject to rates between 21 and 22 percent. Newly created companies will pay 15 percent in the first two fiscal years in which they have a positive taxable income.
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Deductions for energy efficiency
The tax deduction for energy efficiency improvements to homes has been extended until December 31st, 2026. This is part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, which allows for tax deductions of 20, 40, or 60 percent for renovations to homes or buildings that reduce the need heating or cooling .
Another extension until the end of the year has also been approved, which is a 15 percent deduction in taxes for the purchase for plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicles and the installation of charging points.
This tax benefit also includes investments in facilities intended for self-consumption of electricity or the thermal use of renewable energy or as a replacement for fossil fuels.
READ ALSO: The important tax deadlines in Spain in 2026
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New forms and rules for reporting
The filing deadline for Form 170 will now be monthly instead of annually and must be submitted during the calendar month following the month to which the return refers. This will apply for the first time to returns relating to January 2026, which will be filed in February 2026. Form 196 will also be monthly, which is a summary of withholdings and payments to accounts on income from movable capital.
Preparation for digital invoices
The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that they would delay the introduction of the new Verifactu digital invoice verification system by one year, until 2027, but it means that businesses and the self-employed will have to start putting the necessary adaptations into place this year. This could mean creating new systems, making a new website with digital payments etc. Verifactu will now be mandatory from January 1st, 2027 if you pay corporate tax and July 1st 2027 for the rest.
Increase in Capital Gains Tax
The government has proposed increasing the tax burden on property transfers in the first few years after purchase. If approved in Congress, the new rules will take effect this year. The aim of this is so the government can discourage speculative property sales. Sales occurring less than one year after acquisition will be subject to a multiplier of 0.16. Between one and three years later, it will be 0.15. It then scales progressively up to 0.23, which is applied after eight years from the purchase date. From there, it decreases again to 0.10, which is applied to those who have owned the property between 13 and 16 years.
