With the arrival of 2026, several relevant tax changes in Spain affecting VAT, Personal Income Tax (IRPF) and Corporate Income Tax come into force. These measures are set out in Royal Decree-Law 16/2025, published on 24 December 2025.
Although these changes do not represent a profound reform of the Spanish tax system, they introduce practical adjustments that should be reviewed from January onwards. In particular, early analysis is essential to avoid compliance errors and to take advantage of available tax incentives.
In addition, certain extensions and temporary options have been approved with specific deadlines ending on 31 January 2026. As a result, January becomes a critical month for informed tax decision-making.
In this article, we outline the main developments and explain how these tax changes in Spain for 2026 may affect companies, self-employed professionals and taxpayers.
Corporate Income Tax: incentives and progressive tax rates
For companies, Corporate Income Tax continues to be the area with the greatest impact on tax planning for the 2026 financial year. In this context, Royal Decree-Law 16/2025 introduces relevant incentives linked to sustainable investment.
Specifically, investments in efficient vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure may benefit from free depreciation. This applies to assets that come into operation in tax periods starting in 2024, 2025 and 2026. When properly planned, this measure can generate a significant tax advantage.
However, free depreciation does not apply automatically. Therefore, companies must correctly recognise these assets in their accounting records. They must also reflect them in their tax forecasts from the beginning of the financial year.
Furthermore, the regulations approved in 2025 maintain a favourable trend for SMEs and micro-enterprises. Progressive Corporate Income Tax rates continue to apply, offering lower taxation for reduced taxable bases. Consequently, smaller companies should review their tax structure to identify potential benefits.
Personal Income Tax: deadlines for opting out, deductions and obligations not to be overlooked
In the field of Personal Income Tax, Royal Decree-Law 16/2025 includes several adjustments that directly affect taxpayers and self-employed professionals.
Firstly, the deadline to opt out of or revoke the objective assessment regime (modules) has been extended until 31 January 2026. This extension allows affected taxpayers additional time to formalise their decision.
Likewise, deductions linked to sustainability have also been extended. These include deductions for improving energy efficiency in residential properties, acquiring electric vehicles and installing charging points. All of these incentives remain available until 31 December 2026.
As a result, self-employed professionals and property owners carrying out such investments in 2026 should consider their impact in advance. Proper planning will be key when preparing the corresponding Personal Income Tax return.
VAT: special schemes and extraordinary options until January
As regards VAT, the start of 2026 is also marked by specific deadlines and options that require careful review.
On the one hand, the simplified scheme and the special scheme for agriculture, livestock and fishing are extended. These schemes remain subject to the same limits as in the previous year.
On the other hand, several options must be exercised within a very short timeframe. In particular, the deadline to opt out of or revoke these VAT schemes has been extended until 31 January 2026. The same deadline applies to opting for the electronic maintenance of VAT records or deregistering from the Monthly VAT Refund Register (REDEME).
Therefore, decision-making margins are limited, and early planning is strongly recommended.
Beyond taxes: what else can be expected in 2026?
Although the tax changes introduced for 2026 are not structural, the year is clearly marked by increased reporting and digitalisation requirements from the Spanish tax authorities.
For example, obligations to report transactions and electronic payments introduced in previous years remain fully in force. At the same time, the postponement of certain complex regulatory developments has been confirmed. This is the case for Verifactu, whose mandatory implementation has been deferred until 2027. Nevertheless, companies should continue to monitor these developments to prepare adequately.
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