Finance Act 2017 increased the rate of Stamp Duty on all non-residential properties from 2% to 6% and includes non-residential lease premiums. This 6% rate applies to documents executed on/after 11th October 2017.
Although transitional measures have been introduced, this higher Stamp Duty rate will apply for conveyances executed from 1st January 2018.
To be able to avail of the previous 2% rate on commercial property (i.e. where contracts were entered into before 11th October 2017), the two following conditions must be met:
The increased Stamp Duty rate also applies to certain shares which derive their value or the greater part of their value, directly or indirectly, from Irish non-residential land and buildings. The 6% Stamp Duty Charge was introduced by Section 31C SDCA 1999 on conveyances/transfers of shares in Irish and non-Irish companies. The provision also applies to units in an Irish real estate fund, interests in foreign collective investments schemes as well as to interests in a partnership.
This 6% Stamp Duty rate will apply if the result of the transfer is a change in the person/persons having direct/indirect control over the non-residential property and where it would be reasonable to consider that the immovable property concerned was:
Although the legislation applies to any instrument executed on or after 6th December 2017, there are transitional provisions, which will limit the Stamp Duty rate to its existing rate (i.e. 1% or qualifying for an exemption) where:
The new rate will apply to contracts for sale of such shares as well as actual transfers of shares.
As the 6% rate applies to all non-residential property, this means the disposal of goodwill or the transfer of Debtors, as part of the sale of a business, could also give rise to a 6% Stamp Duty charge.
The rates of stamp duty on residential property remain at a rate of 1% up to the first €1,000,000 with 2% payable on the excess over €1,000,000.
The Stamp Duty rate on leases of commercial property will continue to be charged at a rate of 1% on the average annual rent. However, where the landlord receives a premium from the tenant at the commencement of the lease, this will be subject to Stamp Duty at 6%.
Finance Act 2017 (Section 83D SDCA 1999) introduced a Stamp Duty Rebate Scheme in relation to land purchased for the purpose of developing residential property. The Act provides that where Stamp Duty at the new higher rate of 6% is paid on the acquisition of land which is subsequently used to develop residential property, then the purchaser will be entitled to a rebate of 2/3 of the 6% upfront duty paid i.e. a potential refund of up to 4% can be claimed provided the following conditions are satisfied:
Construction operations” is defined as the construction of buildings or structures including the preparatory operations of site clearance, drainage, earth-moving, excavation, laying of foundations and provision of roadways and other access works.
Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature. It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.
Deadline Date |
Relevant Tax Obligations
|
10th January 2018 | • Payment of Local Property Tax for 2018 |
• Extended payment date to 21st March 2018 if payment made by SDA via ROS | |
31st January 2018 | • Payment of Capital Gains Tax for assets disposed of between 1st December |
and 31st December 2017 | |
15th February 2018 | • Filing of 2017 P.35 and P.35L for Employers. |
• Provision of P.60s to Employees | |
• Deadline date extended to 23rd February if filing via ROS | |
31st March 2018 | • Deadline date for Husband / Wife / Spouse / Civil Partner to submit an election for |
change of assessment for 2018 using either Assessable Spouse or Nominated | |
Civil Partner’s Election Form | |
31st October 2018 | • Filing 2017 Tax Return |
• Payment of balance of 2017 Income Tax | |
• Payment of 2018 Preliminary Tax | |
• Filing of IT38 (i.e. Gift/Inheritance Tax) Returns for benefits taken between 1st | |
September 2017 and 31st August 2018 | |
• Payment of Pension Contributions for relief in the 2017 year of assessment | |
15th December 2018 | • Payment of Capital Gains Tax liability on gains arising between 1st January 2018 to |
30th November 2018 | |
31st December 2018 | • Final Date for the submission of a Repayment Claim for 2014 year of assessment |
The Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe T.D delivered his first Budget today, on 10th October 2017, which concentrated more on expenditure than on tax changes.
The Minister announced a number of positive measures to assist small and medium sized enterprises prepare for “Brexit” as well as confirming Ireland’s commitment to the 12½% corporation tax rate.
We are pleased to bring you our summary of the tax measures set out in Budget 2018.
PERSONAL TAXATION
Universal Social Charge
The USC has been cut for lower and middle income earners.
The 2.5% USC rate has been reduced by 0.5% to 2% and the band has been increased to €19,372 from €18,772 which will benefit employees earning the minimum wage.
The 5% USC rate has been reduced by 0.25% to 4.75%
Medical card holders and individuals aged 70 years and over whose combined income does not exceed €60,000 per annum will only be liable to pay a maximum USC rate of 2%.
For self-employed individuals with income of over €100,000 the 11% rate will continue to apply
Income Tax
The higher or marginal tax rate will remain at 40% for 2018.
The income tax standard rate band, however, will be increased by €750 to €34,550 i.e. the entry point at which the 40% income tax rate applies has been increased from €33,800 to €34,550 for a single person and from €42,800 to €43,550 for married couples with one income.
The marginal rate of tax for individuals earning between €34,551 and €70,044 will be 48.75%.
The marginal rate of tax for individuals earning in excess of €70,044 will remain at 52% for employees.
The marginal rate of tax for self-employed individuals earning in excess of €100,000 will remain at 55%.
Earned Income Credit
For self-employed individuals, the earned income tax credit will increase by €200 to €1,150.
No reference was made in today’s Budget speech as to when future increases to this tax credit would arise to bring it in line with the PAYE Tax Credit of €1,650.
Home Carer Tax Credit
The Home Carer Tax Credit will increase by €100 from €1,100 to €1,200.
The €7,200 income threshold remains
This tax credit can be claimed by a jointly-assessed couple where a spouse/civil partner cares for one or more dependents regardless of the number of individuals cared for.
Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT)
The rate for Deposit Interest Retention Tax for 2018 will be charged at 37%.
PRSI
The National Training Fund Levy will be increased over the next three years and will apply to employees under Classes A and H by increasing Employer’s PRSI as follows:
a) 10.85% in 2018
b) 10.95% in 2019
c) 11.05% in 2020
Mortgage interest relief
Mortgage Interest Relief for residential property owners which was scheduled to be abolished from the end of this year will continue until 2020.
This relates to home owners who took out qualifying mortgages between 2004 and 2012.
The relief will be reduced as follows:
a) to 75% in 2018
b) to 50% in 2019
c) to 25% in 2020
Following a change in last year’s Finance Act, the amount of mortgage interest allowable against taxable rental income will increase to 85% with effect from 1st January 2018. However, there was no reference, in today’s Budget speech, to the expected increase from 80% to 85% mortgage interest relief on rented residential property.
As you may remember, in Budget 2017, it had been announced that100% mortgage interest relief for rental properties would be restored on a phased basis by 2020.
Deductibility of pre-letting expenses
Expenses incurred prior to the first letting of a property are not deductible against rental income, with a few exceptions.
Following today’s Budget, property owners who rent out residential properties which have been vacant for a period of twelve months or more will be entitled to a tax deduction of up to €5,000 per property.
These expenses must be revenue in nature and not capital expenditure.
The relief will be subject to a clawback of the property is withdrawn from the rental market within a four year period.
This relief will be available for qualifying expenditure between now and the end of 2021.
Benefit-in-kind on motor vehicles
The minister announced a number of measures to incentivise the purchase of electric cars including:
a) a 0% rate of Benefit-in-Kind for electric cars and the electricity used at to charge these vehicles while at work.
b) a VRT Relief measure
CAPITAL ACQUISITIONS TAX
No changes were announced to the CAT tax-free thresholds in the Budget.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
No changes were announced to CGT rates in the Budget.
Seven Year Exemption
The Minister relaxed the “Seven Year Exemption” which applied to land or buildings purchased between 7th December and 31st December 2014.
Disposals of qualifying assets between years four and seven will now qualify for the full Capital Gains Tax Exemption
VAT
VAT Compensation Scheme
A VAT refund scheme was introduced in order to compensate charities for input VAT incurred on expenditure.
This scheme will take effect from 1st January 2018 but will be paid one year in arrears. In other words charities will be entitled to claim an input VAT credit in 2019 in relation to expenses incurred in 2018.
Charities will be entitled to a refund of a proportion of their VAT costs based on the level of non-public funding they receive.
The Minister also confirmed that a capped fund of €5 million will be available to fund the scheme in 2019.
For further information please visit:
http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2018/Documents/VAT_Compensation_Scheme_For_Charities.pdf
9% VAT Rate
The reduced VAT rate of 9% for goods and services, mainly related to the tourism and hospitality industry, has been retained.
VAT on Sunbed Sessions
In line with the Irish Government’s National Cancer Strategy, the VAT rate on sunbed services will increase from 13.5% to 23% from 1st January 2018.
BUSINESS TAXES
Corporation tax rate
The government has made a firm commitment to retaining the 12½% Corporation Tax rate to attract foreign direct investment.
Capital Allowances for Intangible Assets
The Minister confirmed that he would be limiting the amount of capital allowances that can be claimed for intangible assets.
A tax deduction for capital allowances under Section 291A TCA 1997 on intangible assets and any associated interest cost will now be limited to 80% of the relevant income arising from the intangible asset in the accounting period from midnight of 10th October 2017.
Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP)
The Minister announced plans for a new share based remuneration incentive for unquoted SME companies aimed at improving the ability of SMEs to attract and retain key staff.
This incentive will be available for qualifying KEEP share options granted between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2023.
No income tax, PRSI or USC will be charged on the exercise of the share options. Instead gains from exercising these share options will only be liable to CGT @ 33%.
The tax becomes payable when the shares are sold.
State Aid approval will be required to introduce this scheme.
Accelerated capital allowances for expenditure on energy-efficient equipment
Following a review of the accelerated capital allowances scheme for energy efficient equipment, the current scheme is being extended for a further three years to the end of 2020.
STAMP DUTY
Stamp Duty on commercial property
The rate of stamp duty on commercial property transactions will have increased from 2% to 6% with effect from midnight of 10th October 2017.
A stamp duty refund scheme is also being introduced for commercial land acquired for the development of housing, on condition that the development must begin within 30 months of the purchase of the land.
It is expected that further details of the relief and the conditions will be outlined in the Finance Bill.
FARMING AND THE AGRI-SECTOR
Stamp duty
The Stamp duty rate of 1% remains for inter-family farm transfers for a further three years.
The Stamp Duty exemption for Young Trained Farmers on agricultural land transactions will also be retained.
Leasing land for solar panels
The leasing of agricultural land for the use of solar panels will continue to be classified as agricultural land for the purposes of the CAT Agricultural Relief and the CGT Retirement Relief providing the solar panel infrastructure does not exceed 50% of the total land holding..
BREXIT
Brexit Loan Scheme
A new Brexit Loan Scheme has been announced. A loan scheme of up to €300 million will be available at competitive rates to SMEs to assist them with their short-term working capital needs, with particular attention given to food industry businesses.
Details of this scheme will be provided by the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Plans were also announced to hire over 40 additional staff across the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and enterprise agencies in 2018 to respond to the issues arising from Brexit.
Increased funding
The Minister announced increased funding of €64 million to support the agri-sector. Of this, a further €25 million is to be provided to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to develop further Brexit loan schemes for the agri-food sector in addition to the loan scheme discussed above.
OTHER CHANGES
Sugar Tax
From 1st April 2018 two rates of tax on sugar-sweetened drinks will be introduced subject to State Aid approval.
The first will apply at a rate of 30 cent per litre where the sugar content is above 8g per 100ml.
The second rate of 20 cent per litre will apply where the sugar content is between 5g and 8g per 100ml.
Drinks with less than five grams of sugar won’t attract a sugar tax.
Vacant site levy
The vacant site levy has been increased from the current 3% levy in the first year to 7% in second and subsequent years to encourage land owners to develop vacant sites rather than “hoarding” land.
The vacant site levy is due to come into effect in 2018.
An owner of a property on a vacant site register who does not develop their land in 2018 will be liable to the 3% levy in 2019 and a further 7% levy in 2020 and each year thereafter until the land is developed.
From 1st January 2017, each local authority is obliged to maintain a register of vacant sites to include on the register, details of any site, which they believe, has been vacant for the previous twelve month period.
What is Rental Income?
According to the Revenue’s website, Rental income includes:
What about Local Property Tax?
According to Revenue, LPT is not a deductible expense against rental income under Section 97 TCA 1997.
According to the Thornhill Group, for Income Tax and Corporation Tax purposes, Local Property Tax should be deductible in a similar manner to commercial rates. Despite the fact that the Government has accepted this recommendation in principle no further details of when and how this deduction will take effect have been made available.
What is liable to Tax?
The net profit arising from a rental property is taxed at an individual’s marginal rate of tax being Income Tax plus PRSI plus Universal Social Charge.
In other words, tax is charged on the gross rents receivable less a deduction for all allowable expenses.
It is important to remember that a profit or loss computation must be carried out for each source of rental income.
The rental income on which tax is levied equals the total rental profits less the total losses from all rental sources combined.
Deductions in arriving at net profit include:
A deduction is also available for interest on monies borrowed for the purchase, or repair of the rental property.
For rented residential property, the allowable mortgage interest relief is restricted to 75% for the 2016 year of assessment and is dependent on the landlord registering the tenancy with the Residential Tenancy Board.
For the 2017 tax year, the mortgage interest deduction has increased from 75% to 80%.
The deductible amount will be increased by 5% every year from then on so that by 2021 100% of the mortgage interest will be deductable against the rental income received from qualifying residential lettings. In other words, the allowable rate will be 85% in 2018, 90% in 2019, 95% in 2020 and 100% in 2021.
The landlord may be able to claim 100% mortgage interest relief. To qualify he/she must:
a) rent out the residential property for three years to tenants receiving certain social housing supports and
b) be registered with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)
In situations where the rented residential property was purchased from the taxpayer’s spouse or civil partner, the interest will not be allowed as a deduction in computing the rental profits. This measure is aimed at preventing married couples and civil partners from generating interest by selling properties to each other and borrowing the necessary funds to do so.
How are Irish Rental Losses Treated?
In situations where a rental loss arises, it can be offset against the rental profit from another property. If there are insufficient profits for offset then it can be carried forward against future rental profits only.
The order of offset is very important. The landlord must use Capital Allowances first before offsetting the rental losses carried forward from an earlier year and it is not possible to carry rental losses back to a preceding tax year.
It is not possible to offset rental losses made by one spouse or civil partner against the rental profits of the other.
Losses arising from uneconomic rentals cannot be offset against other rental profits. Uneconomic rentals are defined as those where the expenses will always exceed the income of a particular rental source.
It is not possible to offset rental losses against income generated from other sources including salary, trade income, dividends, deposit interest, etc.
Please keep in mind that foreign rental losses can only be written off against foreign rental income.
What about Pre-Letting Expenses?
The general rule in tax legislation is that any expense incurred prior to the first letting of a rental property is not allowable. The reason being, that such expenses are not deemed to be expenses that relate to a particular lease. Therefore expenses incurred on buying furniture, painting and decorating the property, etc. before the first letting by its current owner and before the first occupancy by the tenant will not be allowable deductions.
There are, however, two exceptions based on the decision in Stephen Court Limited v Brown (HC 198/2 No 293 S.S.):
a) Advertising or marketing costs connected with the first rental of the property and
b) The legal costs incurred in drawing up the first tenancy lease for the rental property.
What is Rent-a-Room Relief?
If an individual rents a room or rooms in his/her sole or main residence and the gross income received does not exceed €12,000 for the 2016 year of assessment or €14,000 for 2017 onwards then no Income Tax, Universal Social Charge or Pay Related Social Insurance will be payable by that individual. In other words, if the rental income does not exceed the annual exemption limit in the year of assessment then the profit or loss arising on the rent will be deemed to be NIL.
Included in the annual exemption limits are payments from the renter/tenant for food, laundry or similar goods and services.
Where the income exceeds €12,000 in 2016 or €14,000 in 2017, the entire amount is taxable.
In situations where more than one individual is entitled to the rent, the annual exemption limit is divided between all the individuals concerned.
It is important to keep in mind that this relief is only available to individuals. In other words it does not apply to companies or partnerships which rent out residential properties.
This relief is available for both individuals who rent as well as individuals who own their own home.
Claiming Rent-a-Room Relief will not affect an individual’s entitlement to mortgage interest relief or Principal Private Residence Relief on the disposal of his/her sole or main residence.
Income from Rent-a-Room must be included in an individual’s annual Tax Return under “Exempt Income.”
The Rent-a-Room Relief will not apply where a child pays rent to a parent.
The Rent-a-Room Exemption is not compulsory. An individual may elect to have any rental profits or losses from this source assessed under the normal Case V Schedule D rules for rental income.
Filing a Tax Return
All individuals in receipt of rental income must declare this information in his/her annual tax return on or before 31st October in the year following the year of assessment.
If the rental profit is less than €5,000 it can be declared through the Form 12.
If, on the other hand, the net rental income is over €5,000 the individual will be obliged to register for Income Tax and declare his/her rental income in a Form 11 under the self assessment rules.
Where the landlord is non-resident and in the absence of an Irish resident Agent, the tenant(s) should deduct tax from the rent at the standard rate and pay this tax over to Revenue. The landlord will be entitled to a credit for the tax deducted by the tenant(s) and must file a Form R185 along with either a Form 11 or Form 12 depending on the amount of rental profit generated.
If, however, the landlord has engaged the services of a Tax Collection Agent in Ireland, this Irish resident individual will be responsible for filing the relevant tax return and submitting the appropriate tax payment on the landlord’s behalf.
image courtesy of mapichai @ freedigital photos
OVERVIEW
The Spanish system has two types of Personal Income Tax:
Spanish resident individuals are generally liable to PIT on their worldwide income wherever it arises.
Non-resident individuals are chargeable to NRIT on their Spanish source income only.
RESIDENCE
An individual is liable to Spanish tax based on his or her residence.
An individual is deemed to be Spanish resident if he or she spends more than 183 days in the tax year (i.e. the calendar year) in Spain or if the individual’s main centre of business or professional activities or economic interests is located in Spain.
It is important to bear in mind that temporary absences from Spain are ignored when calculating the number of days for the purposes of establishing residency except where tax residence in another jurisdiction can be proven.
Where the individual does not satisfy the above 183 day rule, he or she will not be considered Spanish tax resident for the calendar year in question and as a result, Spanish source income including capital gains will be liable to NRIT.
In situations where an individual may be deemed to be tax resident in two jurisdictions in the same tax year, it is essential that the individual consult the relevant Double Taxation Agreement to establish what relief or exemption from Spanish Tax may be available.
Generally speaking, the credit for Spanish tax withheld on foreign source income and capital gains tax will be the lower of:
a) Actual foreign tax withheld on the foreign source income which is equivalent to the Spanish PIT or NRIT
b) Average effective PIT rate applied to the foreign source income taxed in the other jurisdiction.
COMPLIANCE
Individuals must file a Tax Return and pay the relevant taxes within six months of the end of the calendar year i.e. 30th June following the year end, being 31st December.
Married couples may elect to file their tax returns either jointly or separately.
There are strict filing deadlines for non-resident individuals. Please be aware that there are no deadline extensions available.
There are a number of penalties to consider including:
a) Penalties for the underpayment of taxes range from 50% to 150% of the unpaid tax liability.
b) Penalties for the late payment of taxes range from 5% to 20% where such payments are made on a voluntary basis and not as part of an audit or investigation.
c) Statutory Interest on late payments will also apply.
WORK PERMITS / VISAS
Individuals entering Spain from outside the E.U., as either employees or self employed individuals, must obtain a work and residence permit prior to commencing their self employed or employment activity in Spain.
The Work and Residence permits are issued for a twelve month period.
It is possible to renew this permit two months in advance of its expiry date and always advisable to do so before the permit has expired.
For individuals entering Spain from E.U. member states, there is no requirement to possess a Work and Residence Permit.
For E.U., EEA or Swiss individuals who wish to remain in Spain beyond a three month period, they are required to register with the Spanish Authorities and obtain the Central Registry for Foreigners Certificate.
TAXES
For general taxable income received by Spanish resident individuals, progressive tax rates ranging from 19% to 48% are applied. These rates depend on the Autonomous Community in which the individual is deemed to be tax resident. As a result, tax liabilities can vary from one autonomous region to another.
Dividends, Interest, Capital Gains and Savings Interest are taxed at the following rates:
Non resident individuals are taxed at a flat rate of 24% on Spanish source income. This rate is reduced to 19% for individuals who are tax resident in an EU member state or an EEA country with which there is an effective exchange of tax information treaty in place.
Income Tax is levied on the gross Spanish source income but there are no deductions or tax credits available for offset with the exception of certain expenses for E.U. tax resident individuals.
Investment income (i.e. Interest and dividends) arising for non resident individuals are liable to 19% tax although this figure may be reduced depending on the Double Taxation Treaties in place. It is important to bear in mind that Interest for EU residents in tax exempt.
From 2016 onwards Capital gains will be taxed at 19% if arising from the transfer of assets.
Royalty income is liable to tax at 24%
Pensions are taxed at progressive rates ranging from 8% to 40%.
SOCIAL SECURITY
As a general rule, all employees working in Spain must be registered with the Spanish social security administration. The employer is obliged to make employer and employee contributions depending on the category of each employee and social security contributions are paid on salaries/wages.
The general contribution rate for employees is 6.35%.
The general contribution rate for employers is 29.9% in addition to a variable rate for general risk.
These rates depend on the activities engaged in by the companies as well as the employee’s employment and educational category.
Inbound assignees may continue to make social security contributions in their home countries in line with International Social Security Agreements and E.U. regulations and as a result claim an exemption from paying social security contributions in Spain.
To qualify for the exemption E.U. nationals must obtain the necessary official certification from the relevant Social Security Authorities in their country of origin.
There are three situations in which an exemption from Social Security in Spain may be claimed:
There are a number of alternatives open to individuals wishing to invest in Spain. These include setting up a limited company or forming a branch / permanent establishment.
Due to the number of Irish clients with trading companies in Spain, we have prepared a general summary of the taxes arising.
This is not a full and comprehensive guide to Spanish taxes and does not provide detail on the local operation of taxes. As a result, we would always advise anyone with Spanish interests to seek the advice and expertise of a local tax professional.
RESIDENCE
Corporate tax is levied on the income of companies and other separate legal entities.
Spanish resident entities are liable to tax on their worldwide income and not just on profits from activities carried on in Spain.
What is a Spanish resident entity?
a) The majority of the entity’s main assets are located in Spain.
b) The entity’s principal business activity is carried out in Spain.
c) The strategic control is exercised in Spain
It is important to keep in mind that the above point (i.e. number 3) will not apply if the entity exercises its management and control in another country providing it does so for bona fide commercial reasons and not for the purposes of managing securities or other assets.
NON-RESIDENCE
Non-resident companies and entities are only liable to Corporate Tax on their Spanish income arising from business operations carried out by a Permanent Establishment within the jurisdiction (See Article 5 of the Ireland/Spain Double Taxation Agreement for a definition of Permanent Establishment).
It is important to be aware that a “Fiscal Representative” must be appointed by a non-resident individual or company to correctly handle all tax affairs when carrying out commercial activities in Spain.
TAX RATES
Corporate Tax
25% is the general tax rate for residents as well as non-residents carrying out commercial activities in Spain through a “Permanent Establishment.” Other tax rates may apply, however, depending on the type of company and the type of business carried out.
Where foreign companies have permanent establishments in Spain, Non-Resident Income Tax of 25% is chargeable on the income arising to the Permanent Establishment.
A reduced rate of 15% applies to newly incorporated entities set up on or after 1st January 2015. This preferential rate applies to the first two years of operation providing a taxable profit arose in the first tax period.
This start up rate of 15% does not apply in the following situations:
For new companies set up prior to 1st January 2015 they will be taxed at 15% on their tax base up to €300,000 with 20% tax being levied on any excess amounts. This will apply for the first two tax periods.
Without a Permanent Establishment
When dealing with non-residents operating in Spain without a permanent establishment, but who are resident in another EU or EEA state with which there is an Information Exchange Agreement in place, a distinction should be made between an individual and a corporate entity.
The tax rate applicable in the above situation is 19% and the tax deductible expenses are calculated in line with Personal Income Tax and Corporate Income Tax legislation.
In all other situations, the general rule is that non-residents operating in Spain without a permanent establishment are taxable at a rate of 24%.
Capital Duty
A 1% Capital Duty is payable by the shareholders on the dissolution of a company or on a reduction in its share capital.
Dividends, Interest and Royalties
Dividends paid to non-residents are liable to a 19% Withholding Tax unless a lower rate applies under a relevant Double Taxation Agreement.
It is also possible for an exemption to apply under the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive. Distributions paid to E.U. parent companies by Spanish subsidiaries are exempt from withholding tax provided the parent company held, either directly or indirectly, at least a 5% holding in the subsidiary company for a continuous period of twelve months in addition to satisfying other conditions.
Anti-Avoidance legislation exists where the ultimate shareholder in not E.U. resident.
Following an amendment in the Spanish Personal Income Tax Legislation, a share premium distribution paid to a non-resident shareholder may now be treated as a dividend distribution liable to withholding tax under the general rules.
Interest paid to a non-resident including a non-resident individual is liable to 19% withholding tax unless a lower rate applies under the relevant Double Taxation Treaty.
Interest income is exempt from tax if the recipient is a resident of an E.U. member state or an E.U. Permanent Establishment of an E.U. resident company which is not deemed to be a tax haven.
Royalties paid to non-residents including a non-resident individual are liable to withholding tax of 24% or 19% if the recipient is resident in an EU or EEA member state where an Information Exchange Agreement exists.
This rate can be reduced by the provisions of a relevant Tax Treaty.
Royalties paid to associated EU resident companies or permanent establishments are exempt from tax in Spain providing certain conditions are satisfied.
Capital Gains
Under Spanish law capital gains are treated as ordinary business income taxable at the 25% corporate tax rate.
Capital gains on disposals by non-residents without a permanent establishment in Spain are taxed at a reduced rate of 19%.
Where non-residents without a permanent establishment dispose of real estate situated in Spain, a tax of 3% will be withheld from the sales price by the purchaser and paid over to the Spanish Tax Authorities to be offset against the vendor’s tax liability.
Capital Gains from the transfer of shareholdings/ownership interests in Spanish companies and foreign subsidiaries by corporate entities are exempt from tax if the conditions of Participation Exemption are satisfied.
For an E.U. corporate shareholder, ownership of at least 5% must be held directly or indirectly or the shareholding must be valued at over €20 million and it must be held for at least a twelve month period.
In situations where the company is non-resident, a foreign tax which is similar to Spanish Corporate Income Tax of 10% will apply providing the corporate entity is resident in a country with which Spain has concluded a Double Taxation Agreement.
VAT
Spanish VAT or IVA is charged on the supplies of goods and services within the Spanish VAT territory as well as on imports and intra-EU acquisitions of goods and services.
IVA is charged at 21% on the majority of goods and services in Spain.
There is a reduced rate of 10% which applies to certain goods and services such as the purchase of a newly built property, passenger travel, health products and equipment, toll roads, refuse collection and treatment, entrance to cultural buildings and events, some foodstuffs, water supplies, renovation and repair of private dwellings, agricultural supplies, hotel accommodation, restaurant services, etc.
There is a super reduced rate of 4% which applies to the basic necessities other than those classified under the 10% rate and these include human medicine, basic foodstuffs (i.e. bread, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, cereals, potatoes, etc.), books, newspapers and magazines except the electronic equivalents.
Sales Tax is applied in Ceuta and Melilla instead of VAT.
The Canary Island Indirect Tax or IGIC applies in the Canary Island instead of VAT.
The ordinary rate of IGIC is 7% but there are a range of other rates: 0%, 3%, 9½%, 13½% and 20%.
CHANGES TO VAT RULES
On 1st July 2017 a new “Immediate Supply of Information” system took effect in Spain.
This new VAT management system now requires taxpayers to maintain their VAT books and records through the Spanish Tax Authorities website on a near real-time basis.
This new system is mandatory for all taxpayers who file their VAT Returns on a monthly basis including:
This new system, however, also enables Taxpayers to elect to use the S.I.I. If they voluntarily choose to use this system then they must declare their intention on Form 036.
Are you aware of how much has changed since 1st January 2017 in terms of Tax compliance, Tax Credits, Employee Subsistence Expenses, Personal Tax, Corporation Tax, Capital Acquisitions Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Value Added Tax, PAYE, Stamp Duty, Transfer Pricing, Local Property Tax, Revenue Audit Procedures, etc.?
Here are a list of the Revenue eBriefs published so far this year:
Everyone is aware that significant changes were introduced in the 2016 Budget but have you thought what they might mean for you?
Prior to 25th December 2016, Section 86 CATCA 2003 provided a means of passing on a property to the next generation, either by gift or inheritance, in a tax free manner.
The exemption from Capital Acquisitions Tax for a gift or inheritance of a dwelling house or part of a dwelling house applied if the following conditions were met:
What’s the situation from 25th December 2016?
What does this mean?
The amendment to Section 86 CATCA 2003 (Exemption relating to certain dwellings) has removed a valuable tax planning opportunity and will lead to unforeseen tax liabilities for individuals who receive gifts.
To most it seems like an excessive way of addressing the problem of wealthy families using this exemption as a means of transferring property to the next generation tax free. For many families in Ireland the “Dwelling House Relief” was used by parents to help their children get on to the property ladder. Some, however, welcome this amendment stating that it will ensure that family members who genuinely want to live with and care for elderly parents will inherit the family home tax free providing the conditions are met.
It is also important to keep in mind that since the conditions for this Relief are based on mental or physical infirmity then medical proof will be required to avoid a claw-back of the relief.
In summary
The High Court decision in Revenue Commissioners v Thomas Collins has just been published.
It states that contrary to Revenue’s position, the NPPR (Non Principal Private Residence) charge was in fact an “allowable” expense against rental profits under Section 97(2) TCA 1997.
What was the NPPR Charge?
The NPPR (Non Principal Private Residence) charge was an annual charge of €200 implemented by the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended by the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011.
It related to all residential property situated in Ireland which was not used as the owner’s sole or principal residence from 2009 to 2013.
Examples of the type of residential properties liable for the NPPR charge were:
Previous Tax Treatment of NPPR
Irish Income Tax is calculated on the net amount of rents received or rental profits. In other words Income Tax is charged on the gross rents received less any allowable expenses as specified in the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The main deductible expenses include:
For details of allowable rental expenses, please visit www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it70.html
Prior to this ruling the Irish Revenue Authorities and the Department of Finance stated that the payment of the NPPR charge for residential properties was NOT an allowable deduction in calculating Income Tax on the rental profits.
Effect of this Ruling
If this High Court decision is not overturned then it could result in a repayment of taxes overpaid.
There is a time limit for claiming refunds of tax overpaid. All claims for tax refunds must be made within four years of the end of the year to which the claim relates.