A new income tax declaration campaign has started in Spain, and thousands of citizens are rushing to submit their documents in the first days. It may seem logical to expect a quick refund, but in practice, it’s not that straightforward. The main reason for delays is not the date of submission, but the accuracy and completeness of the declaration. Even if the documents are sent on the very first day, this does not guarantee prompt payment to your account.
According to Talent24h, tax authorities prioritize verifying the accuracy of the information rather than processing applications in order of submission. If any inaccuracies, missing data, or contentious points are found in the declaration, the refund process can be delayed by weeks. This especially applies to those reporting business income, real estate transactions, or complex deductions. In such cases, tax inspectors conduct additional checks, which automatically increases the waiting time.
Causes of delay
The main reasons for refund delays, according to experts, include calculation errors, missing supporting documents, and discrepancies with other data sources. For example, if a taxpayer omits some income or makes an arithmetic mistake, the system automatically sends the declaration for manual review. This can result in additional requests from the tax office and the need to provide further explanations.
Another factor is regional differences in document processing. In some autonomous regions of Spain, the workload on tax authorities is higher, which also affects the speed of application review. Additionally, complex cases involving inheritance, investments, or international income require more thorough checks and can delay refunds even if filed on time.
The role of preliminary review
Experts advise not to rush when submitting your tax return and to carefully verify all information beforehand. Pay special attention to the accuracy of personal details, income amounts, and deductions. According to russpain.com, most delays occur due to carelessness when filling out the forms. If you avoid mistakes at this stage, the chances of a quick refund increase significantly.
It is also important to compare your data with the preliminary calculation available on the tax authority’s portal. This allows you to spot discrepancies in advance and correct the information before submission. Such an approach saves time and reduces the risk of additional checks.
Consequences of rushing
The race for speed often leads to the opposite result. Those who try to be first frequently end up having to correct documents they’ve already sent. As a result, the refund is delayed and sometimes requires resubmission. It’s important to remember that the tax authority does not penalize late but correct returns, provided they are filed within the established deadlines.
In recent years, refund delays for the Renta have become more frequent in Spain, often due to errors in the submitted documents. This affects both regular employees and entrepreneurs. In some cases, the wait has stretched to several months, even when the declaration was filed during the first days of the campaign.
Antonio Luis Gallardo is one of Spain’s most renowned tax law experts. In recent years, he has repeatedly commented on issues related to filing returns and receiving refunds. In 2025, he has already pointed out that widespread payment delays are linked not to technical failures, but to human error—specifically, carelessness and haste when filling out documents. A similar situation occurred in 2024, when thousands of Spaniards waited for their refunds because of mistakes in their returns. His advice remains relevant: the key is accuracy and carefulness, not how quickly you submit.
