Canary Isles tax changes for 2020
By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks
While the Spanish state budget for 2020 is still pending, the local government in the Canary Isles has approved its regional budget for 2020. This includes changes to income tax and succession and gift tax (inheritance tax), which are applicable from 1st January 2020.
Income tax
The personal income tax rates for general income are a combination of regional and state rates. Last year, the top regional rate in the Canary Isles was 22.5% but two new brackets have been introduced for 2020: 25% for income over €90,000 and 26% for income over €120,000.
When you add the state income tax rates, the top rate for Canary Isles taxpayers could be around 48.5%. The state rates will be confirmed once the new Spanish coalition government has finalised its 2020 budget, hopefully around summertime.
Spanish Succession and Gift Tax (SSGT)
The biggest changes approved in the 2020 Canary Islands budget affect the succession and gift tax rules. Last year, the 99.9% relief for SSGT was extended to include Group III beneficiaries, but now this relief has been scaled back and these are the new applicable rules:
Group I beneficiaries (descendants under 21) – The 99.9% relief remains applicable for both inheritance and lifetime gifts.
Group II beneficiaries (descendants over 21, ascendants, spouses) – The first €55,000 of tax due (i.e. after applying the tax rates and multipliers) always benefits from a 99.9% relief, for both inheritances and lifetime gifts. Any excess over €55,000 gets a variable relief depending on the calculated tax due.
The reliefs range from 90% when the tax due is between €55,000 and €65,000, down to just 10% when the tax due is between €275,000 and €305,000. There is no relief applicable when the tax due is more than €305,000.
Group III beneficiaries (e.g. siblings, cousins, nieces/nephews; in-laws and stepchildren can also fall in this group) – The same threshold and reliefs as Group II as outlined above but, in this case, it only applies to inheritances, not gifts.
While this SSGT reform could be disappointing, it may not affect your family. For example, we received a query from clients Mr & Mrs X concerned about the SSGT consequences for them under these new regional rules. Their main residence in the Canary Isles (Spain) is worth €330,000, they have a suitable investment bond held outside Spain valued at €460,000 and €5,500 in the bank in Spain.
Once you deduct the main home allowance (99%, provided it is kept for five years, maximum €200,000) and the personal reduction (€40,000 for Group II beneficiaries), the total tax due is approximately €33,000. With no multipliers needed here, this falls below the €55,000 threshold so the 99.9% relief applies as it did before. The survivor’s estimated tax bill is around €30.
(All assets are jointly owned, and values include the 3% household items assumption. Figures have been rounded up).
Although the SSGT tax allowances have been scaled back in the region, they continue to offer considerable tax savings for most beneficiaries compared to the pre-2016 Canary Isles tax rates.
It is important to take steps to reduce or completely avoid succession and gift tax if there is indeed a liability in Spain – and also in the UK. With personalised, specialist advice there are steps you can take to make Spain a tax-efficient place to live, and to set up effective estate planning to make life easier and less costly for your heirs.
For bespoke advice on your situation talk to Paul Montague, Blevins Franks adviser for the Canary Isles. www.blevinsfranks.com
The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.
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