Spain’s tax system will undergo significant changes in 2026, when the campaign for filing the 2025 Income Tax return begins, allowing nine million residents to file instantly online. This decision will directly speed up refunds and streamline paperwork, a major benefit for those expecting quick payments or preferring digital services. The updates not only affect deadlines but also expand the number of people eligible for the simplified process.
According to russpain.com, this year is expected to see a record number of filings—over 25 million returns. About 62% are projected to result in tax refunds, with total payouts potentially exceeding 13 billion euros. For those who owe additional taxes, deferred payment options are available, along with new payment methods, including Bizum and bank cards. This flexibility allows residents to manage their finances more effectively and avoid unnecessary trips to tax offices.
Expansion of the ‘Renta Directa’ Service
The main change in the campaign is the doubling of potential users for the ‘Renta Directa’ service. Access is now granted not only to those with a straightforward tax situation, but also to new categories: mortgage holders entitled to state benefits, new taxpayers, and certain groups with regional deductions. The system automatically transfers all required data, allowing users to file their return in just a few minutes. For those who need to make adjustments, the familiar ‘Renta Web’ service remains available, where you can revise your draft and then choose the most convenient filing method.
This year, ‘Renta Directa’ has for the first time integrated payment options via Bizum and cards, which were previously available only on ‘Renta Web’. This move makes the process even more flexible and modern, and the interface is now adapted for larger screens—especially convenient for computer and tablet users.
New features and support
Along with the expansion of ‘Renta Directa’, ‘Renta Web’ continues to improve. In 2026, new tips were added to prevent errors during form completion, along with expanded information on regional and national subsidies. Users receive warnings about possible omissions and automatic reminders of potential deductions they might have missed. This helps reduce the risk of mistakes and subsequent checks from the tax authorities.
The tax agency’s mobile app has also been updated: it now supports up to 20 users on a single device, which is convenient for families. In the app, users can not only submit their tax return, but also track the refund status, receive notifications, and manage personal information. For security, a device screen lock must be activated.
Schedule and submission methods
The campaign starts on April 8, 2026 and ends on June 30. For those paying through a bank, the deadline is June 25. Phone support and the ‘Le Llamamos’ service begin on May 6, while in-person appointments at offices start on June 1. Consultations can be booked through the online platform or the app, where users can easily choose the date and location.
The return can be filed online, via the app, by phone, or in person at tax offices and partner banks. For online access, users can use ‘Clave,’ a reference number, or an electronic certificate. It’s important to remember that for some categories of citizens, such as Ingreso Mínimo Vital recipients or self-employed individuals, filing a return is mandatory regardless of income amount.
Who is not required to file
Most citizens whose employment income does not exceed €22,000 per year are exempt from mandatory filing. However, if income comes from multiple employers or tax was not withheld, the limit drops to €15,876. Other income types have different thresholds, and special rules apply to state benefit recipients and entrepreneurs.
Before submitting, it is recommended to carefully check all information: regional deductions, property details, family changes, rentals, investments, and other important aspects. This will help avoid mistakes and speed up the refund process.
Reference and context
In recent years, Spain has been actively implementing digital services for taxpayers, focusing on automation and reducing bureaucracy. In 2025, there was already an increase in the number of users of online services, and this year the figure has doubled. A similar trend has been seen in other EU countries, where electronic filings are becoming the norm. Recently, the country discussed new limits and deductions, covered in detail in the article about the latest changes in tax policy — details on new rates and filing deadlines can be found at russpain.com. These efforts are aimed at increasing transparency and convenience for citizens, as well as speeding up tax refunds and reducing errors in document preparation.
