Tax information sources

Lost with Spanish taxes? Do different tax officers tell you different things about the same issue? Don’t trust what you find online?

Unlike other countries (e.g., France), Spain has no single tax code consolidating all current rules. As every freelancer and business owner knows, getting clear, reliable guidance can be tough.

After many years as a self-employed translator handling my own tax affairs in Spain, I recommend these two sources:

• Practical Guide to Income and Wealth Tax (Manual práctico Renta y Patrimonio) – Published annually by the Spanish Tax Agency. An up-to-date, comprehensive overview of rules that apply to freelancers. Highly recommended.

• Database of Rulings by the Dirección General de Tributos (DGT) – Because the law is complex, the administration allows you to submit queries and publishes both the questions and official answers online. Hundreds are added every year. Wondering whether you can deduct heating for a home office, or in which cases fuel is deductible? You’ll find the official positions here.

© 2014 Alejandro Moreno Ramos, www.ingenierotraductor.com