Company tax and filings

It is for people considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain who will run a company there. After reading, you should know what your company owes, when it owes it, and how to avoid missed filings.

Start with "How corporate tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades) works for a small company". It sets out the rate, the taxable base and what the company pays, and the other pages build on it.

Tax for self-employed people (autónomos), tax audits and appeals, digital certificate set-up and invoicing software rules are not covered here.

Key rules

• General rate: The general company tax rate is 25% of the taxable base.
• New company rate: A qualifying new company pays 15% on its first profitable year and the year after.
• Instalments: Advance payments (Modelo 202) are due from 1 to 20 April, 1 to 20 October and 1 to 20 December.
• Annual return: The annual company tax return (Modelo 200) for a calendar-year company is filed from 1 to 25 July of the following year.
• Unopened notices: An electronic notice not opened within 10 natural days is treated as served, and the response deadline starts running anyway.
• Small company rates: With turnover below 1 million euros in the previous period, you pay 19% on the first 50,000 euros of base and 21% on the rest in 2026.

Company tax and filings: the whole process, step by step

Your company tax year, step by step

• Set up electronic notices and decide who watches them (read Electronic notifications (DEHú) your company must use, and missed notices): Before your first filing, and then all year

• Learn your rate and tax base (read How corporate tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades) works for a small company): Before the first year ends

• Check whether the new-company rate applies (read The lower tax rate for a new company's first profitable years): Before your first return, as the 15% rate covers the first profitable year and the year after

• Pay monthly or quarterly VAT and withholdings (read VAT (IVA) duties for a company, including EU sales, and Withholdings and annual summary returns your company must file): By the 20th after each quarter ends (April, July, October), and 30 January for the fourth quarter. Large companies file withholdings monthly

• Make advance payments of company tax (Modelo 202) (read Instalments and the annual return: how company tax filing works): 1 to 20 April, 1 to 20 October and 1 to 20 December

• File the annual VAT summary and the yearly withholding summaries (Modelos 390, 190, 180 and 193): In January, by 30 or 31 January for the previous year

• File the annual return of operations with third parties (Modelo 347) (read VAT (IVA) duties for a company, including EU sales): By the end of February, if you did more than 3,005.06 euros with one client or supplier

• File the annual company tax return (Modelo 200) (read Instalments and the annual return: how company tax filing works): 1 to 25 July of the following year for a calendar-year company

• If you file or pay late, expect a surcharge of 1% plus 1% for each full month of delay: From the day after the deadline, up to 12 months, then 15% plus late-payment interest

• Open any new electronic notice quickly and answer it: Within 10 natural days, or it is treated as served and your response deadline starts running anyway

Documents you may need

• A tax ID — VAT (IVA) duties for a company, including EU sales

• Electronic certificate of the company — Instalments and the annual return: how company tax filing works

• A proper invoice or equivalent document for each expense — What counts as a deductible company expense in Spain

• Modelo 036 — VAT (IVA) duties for a company, including EU sales

• Proof that the service was real — What counts as a deductible company expense in Spain

• Power of attorney or collaboration authorisation — Instalments and the annual return: how company tax filing works

Company tax and filings: questions that cross several articles

Which rate will my small company pay on its profits?

Most companies pay the general rate of 25%, but a company with turnover under 1 million euros in the previous period pays a lower two-band rate that falls each year. It is 19% on the first 50,000 euros and 21% on the rest in 2026. Read How corporate tax (Impuesto sobre Sociedades) works for a small company, then The lower tax rate for a new company's first profitable years if you are new.

Can I use past losses to lower my tax later?

Yes, losses can be carried forward with no time limit, but each year you can offset only a share of your base, 70% for companies under 20 million euros of turnover, and at least 1 million euros. Losses also matter for new companies, because the new-company rate starts at the first profitable year.

Can a startup get a lower rate than a new company?

Yes, a certified startup can pay 15% for the first profitable year and the following three years, rather than two years for a regular new company. It also gets exemption from advance payments and a deferral of tax debt in the first two years. Read Tax incentives for startups, research and innovation and The lower tax rate for a new company's first profitable years.

How do I know how much to pay in advance during the year?

The general method takes 18% of the full quota of your last return, less deductions and payments already made. Companies with turnover of 10 million euros or more must use a different method based on the current year's profit. Read Instalments and the annual return: how company tax filing works, and check Tax incentives for startups, research and innovation if you may be exempt.

Does the Canary Islands, Basque Country or Navarra change my company tax?

Yes, if your company is based in one of those regions, special rules can replace the usual ones, such as a 4% rate for qualifying new entities in the Canary Islands special zone. Read Company tax in the Canary Islands, Basque Country and Navarra before using the other articles' rates and deadlines.