Your guide to the 2021 tax season—how to file, deadlines, and more

All Spanish residents have to submit an annual tax declaration or pay income tax to the Tax Administration Agency (IRPF), based on the income they earned in the previous year. Right now, it’s time to submit your tax declaration for 2021. But don’t worry—you have three months before the first draft is due. Read on to find out all the information you need to know before you send it in—deadlines, who needs to submit a declaration, and how to file.

As you might already know, the Tax Administration Agency doesn’t require everyone to submit a tax declaration. It will depend on your annual income level, as well as where the income comes from. There are limits associated with your work-related income, investment income, capital gains, and others. 

This might sound overwhelming at first, but it’s simpler than it might seem. Let’s break down the types of income to understand exactly what each entails. 

On top of your regular salary, work-related income also includes pension payments and passive income. So, who is exempt from a tax declaration under this subsection?

• People with gross annual earnings below €22,000 (from one source)
• People with gross annual earnings below €14,000 (from multiple sources)
• People with gross annual earnings below €22,000 (from multiple sources), as long as the total of the amount obtained from the second and further sources (if these exist) doesn’t exceed €1,500 annually. 

If you want to learn more about any of these groups, you can find everything you need to know in the document “Outline of Tax Declaration Obligation with the IRPF” on the Tax Administration Agency website.

Investment income refers to share dividends and interest on accounts, deposits, or  fixed-rate securities, among other things. Capital gains include earnings from stock redemption in investment funds and rewards for participation in competitions, games, or similar activities. You don’t need to submit a tax declaration for 2021 if you have investment income or capital gains totalling less than €1,600 gross annually.

As long as their gross annual income doesn’t exceed €1,000, the following people won’t have to submit a tax declaration this year:

• Anyone who earned imputed fixed income
• Anyone who earned tax-free earnings on fixed income from treasury bills (which are not subject to tax deduction)
• Anyone given grants to buy a subsidized house or a fixed-price property, as well as other capital gains resulting from government assistance.

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If you’re wondering how to request the tax declaration draft, there are a couple options available:

1. The website of the Tax Administration Agency

Starting from April 6, you can request your tax declaration draft directly from the website of the Tax Administration Agency. All you need to do is go to the website and click on the link Tax 2021: Draft/declaration process service (Tax Web) or access the link directly here. Once on the website, simply follow the steps listed there. You’ll need your electronic certificate or Spanish National Identity Number (DNI) with a pin code or reference number.

If you are unsure what to do once you get the form, the Tax Administration Agency has a simple guide with screenshots to help you through each step.

2. Through the mobile app of the Tax Administration Agency

Download the Tax Administration app directly to your smartphone or other device, completely free of charge. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android.

3. By telephone

With the “We Phone You” plan, the Tax Administration Agency may be able to help you prepare your tax declaration over the phone. To use this method, you’ll have to arrange a scheduled meeting between May 5 and June 30. You can make this appointment in one of the following ways: 

• Through the website www.agenciatributaria.es.
• Through the “Tax Administration Agency” app.
• By calling the automatic response line 901 12 12 24 or 915 35 73 26.
• By calling the customer help service 901 22 33 44 or 915 53 00 71, available from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00.

 4. In person

If you are not so comfortable with technology and want to request the tax declaration draft in person, you can do so between June 1 and 27 in the offices of the Tax Administration Agency. You’ll need to make an appointment for this, which you can do between May 5 and June 29, via one of the following methods: 

• Through the website www.agenciatributaria.es.
• Through the “Tax Administration Agency” app.
• By calling the customer help service 901 22 33 44 or 915 53 00 71, available from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00.

You can submit your 2021 tax declaration on April 6, 2022. Read the following table to find all the other relevant tax submission deadlines and dates you should know. We’d recommend taking a screenshot and adding these dates to your calendar.

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Few things sound as intimidating as making a tax declaration for the first time. With N26, you can declare your taxes in Spain and you can pay the vast majority of taxes to the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) or Social Security right from your N26 app. We want to help you untangle the mess and handle your finances with confidence. We’re the 100% mobile bank, designed to fit your lifestyle. Access your money directly from your smartphone, whenever and wherever you need to. Try innovative features like Statistics spending tracking and Spaces sub-accounts to help you manage your money like a pro. All our services are available in English, Spanish, Italian, German. 

Not sure whether you can pay taxes as a freelancer or through a personal account with N26? Check out this article where we explain all the details.