Spain Tax Agency Still Processing Refunds

Spain’s tax agency, Hacienda, has six months from the end of the filing period to pay income tax refunds for the 2025 return. If the agency fails to pay by then, it must add interest at a rate of 4.0625% per year, according to OCU, the consumer watchdog.

As of June 30, Hacienda had paid out €9.361 billion to 12.9 million taxpayers, covering 79.1% of refund requests. This means roughly one in five refund claims were still pending at the end of the filing period.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund by logging into the Agencia Tributaria website using Cl@ve, an electronic certificate, or an electronic DNI. The status page will indicate whether the return is being processed or if a separate review is underway.

Refunds may be reduced to zero if the taxpayer owes money to Hacienda or other public bodies, such as traffic fines or Social Security payments. There is no specific warning, so taxpayers should also check their electronic mailbox on the Hacienda website.

If a refund is zero, taxpayers can request a breakdown from the Agencia Tributaria. If they believe the debt is incorrect or has expired, they can challenge it.

Taxpayers who overpaid can claim a refund within four years from the day after they paid or, for a return paid on time, from the day after the filing deadline ended. To claim overpaid taxes, taxpayers must apply online through the Agencia Tributaria website under “Devolución de ingresos indebidos.” Hacienda will pay interest from the day of payment without requiring a request. The agency has six months to respond, and if it says nothing, that counts as a refusal.