Category: Ruling/Decisions and case law
Courts tighten the noose on the reference value of real estate
Some high courts of justice are already raising doubts about the automatic application of the reference value, forcing “pay first and challenge later”. Besides, the Constitutional Court has recently admitted a question of unconstitutionality raised by the High Court of the Andalucian Community, which questions whether this mechanism violates the principles of economic capacity and […]
Double taxation treaties prevail over domestic law
According to the Spanish National Appellate Court (Audiencia Nacional), Brazilian “juros” must be classified as dividends for the purposes of the double taxation agreement between Spain and Brazil. Therefore, since treaties prevail over domestic law, the treaty-based exemption for such income cannot be denied. Brazilian tax law allows companies resident in Brazil to distribute to […]
Recent developments in case law on anti-abuse rules
The Supreme Court has recently issued several judgments of great importance on the application of articles 13, 15 and 16 of the General Tax Law (hereinafter GTL), judgments that also affect the application of the doctrine of the so-called “second shot”. The most prominent judgments are that of April 29, 2025, two of May 5 […]
Vacation rental: Reflections on the taxation of non-residents in Spain
The correct taxation of non-resident income derived from the vacation rental of real estate in Spain requires an adequate characterization of such income, a complex task in the light of the regulation and the resolutions of the Directorate General of Taxes. The taxation of income derived from vacation rentals depends on its characterization as business […]
The Tax Administration must give individual reasons for the subjective element in order to derive tax liability
A recent decision of the Regional Economic-Administrative Court of the Principality of Asturias (Spain) insists on the importance of motivating the guilt or negligence of the de facto or de jure directors, in order to derive liability for the infringements committed by the administered company. The General Tax Law (“GTL”) regulates a series of cases […]
Three recent resolutions of the Central Economic-Administrative Court establish criteria in relation to the taxation of artists and athletes
The international taxation of artists and athletes has been the subject of analysis and discussion for many years, affecting issues as diverse as tax residence, the delimitation of income that can be classified as “artistic” or “sports” or the development of the activity through companies. This type of income is specifically regulated in Article 17 […]