It is becoming increasingly common for people to move from one country to another, whether for work or other reasons. This means that there may be both foreigners and Spaniards who own property in other countries and have doubts about how to declare it. In these cases, it is important to consider the double taxation agreements signed by Spain and the IRPF law. We will tell you how the properties you own abroad are taxed.
What do international double taxation agreements consist of?
These are agreements signed between countries to avoid a person being taxed in two countries for the same taxable event.
For example, if that person has tax residence in Spain and has obtained an amount for the sale of a property in another country and has paid for it there, he/she will have to verify that there is a double taxation agreement, signed between Spain and the country of origin, in order to be able to deduct what was paid abroad when paying tax in Spain.
The first question: am I a tax resident in Spain?
To answer this question, we must analyse article 6 of the Non-Resident Income Tax Law (LIRNR) in relation to article 9 of the Personal Income Tax Law (IRPF), which establishes the requirements for an individual to be considered a tax resident in Spain. They are as follows:
– Staying in Spain for more than 183 days per calendar year.
– Having the main core or base of their activities or economic interests in Spain.
– Having a spouse and minor children who depend on the person and habitually reside in Spain.
How are the properties I own abroad taxed?
If you have homes, business premises or other property located abroad, and you are a tax resident in Spain, you will have to consider taxation in the following cases:
– If you receive income derived from the rental of the property. In this case, you will have to include the income received in your personal income tax return as income from real estate capital, and you will be able to deduct the repair costs or local taxes you pay, among others.
– If you sell the property. If you sell your property and obtain a capital gain, you will also have to declare it in the IRPF.
What if I have to pay tax in the country where the property is located for the income I receive or for the sale?
To answer this question, we must refer to article 80 of the Personal Income Tax Law, which regulates the deduction for international double taxation. This article establishes the possibility of deducting the lower of these two amounts:
– The amount paid abroad for a tax analogous to IRPF or IRNR.
– The result of applying the average effective tax rate to the part of the taxable income taxed abroad.
If you want to apply this deduction, it is crucial that you keep all the documentation justifying the tax payments you have made abroad.
In addition to the above, you should consider that there are other tax obligations relating to real estate located abroad, such as:
– The presentation of the informative declaration through the 720 model.
– Wealth tax if the established thresholds are exceeded.
– The tax on large fortunes, which also applies if certain limits are exceeded.
Having property abroad is quite common, and it is necessary to have the help of expert tax advisors to avoid penalties from the Treasury and to pay tax correctly. Contact our team of experts and we will advise you.