Corporate income tax (IS) is a direct, personal and periodic tax levied on the income earned by companies and legal entities during their fiscal year.
In Catalonia, it is applied in accordance with state legislation (Law 27/2014), with possible specific regional incentives.
Who is liable and when is it payable?
Commercial companies (SL, SA), protected cooperatives, newly created entities, recognised start-ups, and also communities of property with economic activity are required to pay it.
The tax is due on the last day of the financial year, normally 31 December.
Steps to calculate the tax
1. Tax base
The starting point is the accounting result, adjusted for non-deductible expenses, uncounted income, tax depreciation, and negative bases from previous years can be offset.
2. Tax rates
For the 2025 financial year, the rates in Spain are:
- General: 25%
- Micro-SMEs (turnover < €1 million):
- 21% up to the first €50,000.
- 22% on the rest.
- Small entities (€1–10 million): 24%, decreasing to 20% by 2029.
- Newly created companies (ENC) and start-ups: 15% in the first two positive financial years.
- Protected cooperatives: 20% on cooperative profits (the rest is taxed at 25%).
In addition, thanks to regional agreements, in Catalonia, micro-SMEs are taxed at 17% on the first €50,000 and 20% on the rest, progressively until reaching the level set for 2027.
3. Full and net tax liability
The total tax liability is obtained by applying the rate to the taxable base. Then, deductions for R&D&I, audiovisual productions, accelerated depreciation or capitalisation reserves are subtracted to obtain the net tax liability.
4. Instalment payments and filing
Companies must make instalment payments using form 202 in April, October and December.
The final return is filed using form 200 within 25 calendar days after the end of the fiscal year.
Practical example (Catalan micro-SME)
- Turnover: £800,000
- Accounting profit: £80,000, taxable base after adjustments: £75,000
- Total tax liability:
- 17% × £50,000 = £8,500
- 20% × £25,000 = £5,000
- → Total: £13,500
- Deduction (for R&D, audiovisual, etc.): £3,000
- → Net tax liability: £10,500
- Instalment payments and form 200 returns are filed after the end of the tax year.
Tax advantages in Catalonia
- Reduced regional rates (17%–20%) for micro-SMEs, before the state adjustment
- Specific regional deductions (audiovisual production, capitalisation).
- Incentives for investment in R&D&I and for capitalisation reserves (encourage reinvestment and reduce the tax base).
Recommendations and common mistakes
- Carefully review tax adjustments to avoid misreporting the tax base.
- Verify compliance with the limits for reduced rates (turnover < £1 million) on an annual basis.
- Take full advantage of available deductions, which significantly reduce the tax burden.
- Comply with the deadlines for instalment payments and filing form 200 to avoid penalties.
Corporate tax in Catalonia for small businesses offers significant tax optimisation thanks to reduced rates, deductions and reinvestment mechanisms. The entire process comprises:
- Accounting result → 2. Adjustments → 3. Taxable base → 4. Regional rate → 5. Total tax liability → 6. Deductions → 7. Net tax liability → 8. Payments and filing.
Gutiérrez Pujadas & Partners specialises in ensuring the correct application of all these elements, optimising your tax burden without risk. Trust us for expert, tailor-made management.
Contact Gutiérrez Pujadas & Partners today to optimise your corporation tax and ensure you take full advantage of the legal incentives available.