The Spanish Tax Law Modification, how does it affect the taxation of real estate transactions?

There has been a lot of news and controversy around this modification since the Government announced it in the summer of 2014 as the modification eliminates some of the existing tax benefits on some real estate transactions. These are the three main ones that will be applied from January 1st 2015:

Price Updating Coefficient:

• This coefficient was applied to compensate the inflation. When this coefficient was applied, it eliminated the capital gain due to the general increase in the cost of life (inflation). That reduction coefficient applied to the capital gain generated could be around 25% for properties purchased ten years ago.

• This coefficient has been fully eliminated with the modification of the Spanish Tax Law and will not be applied from January 1st 2015.

Abatement of Tax Coefficient:

• This abatement of tax coefficient was being applied to the sale of properties bought before 1995. This coefficient was introduced in 1992 and partially eliminated in 2006. It reduces the capital gain obtained on sale operations when the purchase of the property was before 1995 and for the period from the purchase date up to January 19, 2006. That reduction could even be of a 100% for properties acquired before 1986.

• The new modification of the Spanish tax law has maintained this coefficient but its application is limited to a maximum of 400.000 euros of the sales price. Therefore, for a property sold for 500.000 euros, the abatement coefficient will be applied to the first 400.000 euros of price and the remaining 100.000 euros of price will pay full capital gain tax.

For example, a property bought in 1990 for 300.000 euros and sold now for 500.000 euros will have an increase of 97% on the capital gain tax payable in 2015 (33.187 €) compared to the amount payable in 2014 (16.829 €).

Deduction on the rent received from tenants under the age of 30:

• That deduction on the rent received from tenants under the legal age of 30 was 100% up to the end of 2014.

• The modification of the Spanish tax law has reduced the deduction to 60%.

Since each particular case is different, it is fully recommended that you check your own details with your lawyer or tax advisor.