If you run a business or work as a freelancer in Spain, October brings a deadline you don't want to miss: the quarterly tax declarations for the third quarter of the year, covering July, August and September.
What's due, and when
The general deadline is 20 October. If you pay by direct debit rather than transferring the amount yourself, the cut-off moves earlier, usually by about five days, so it is worth checking your specific date rather than assuming you have until the 20th.
- Modelo 303, for VAT (IVA) collected and paid during the quarter
- Modelo 130, the fractional payment of personal income tax for self-employed workers under direct estimation
- Modelo 111, covering the income tax withholdings that companies and freelancers apply to employees or professionals they pay during the quarter
Not every business needs to file every one of these; which forms apply depends on your activity and how you are registered, so it is worth confirming your specific obligations rather than assuming.
What happens if you miss the deadline
Filing late without being prompted by the Tax Agency triggers a surcharge that increases the longer you wait. If the Tax Agency has to chase you first, the penalty is higher again. Either way, it is cheaper and simpler to file on time, so it is worth marking 20 October in your calendar well in advance and making sure your paperwork is ready beforehand.
