The BOE of July 10, 2021 published Law 11/2021, of July 9, on measures to prevent and fight against tax fraud, transposition of Directive (EU) 2016/1164, of the Council, of July 12, 2016, which establishes rules against tax avoidance practices that directly affect the functioning of the internal market, modification of various tax regulations and regulation of gambling (2021/24541).
The new Law on Measures to Prevent and Combat Tax Fraud allows the adaptation of tools to combat new forms of fraudulent behavior associated with new technologies,following the same line as other countries in the environment.
Likewise, it reinforces the instruments to prosecute the avoidance carried out by large multinationals through abusive tax planning.
Law 11/2021 on measures to prevent and combat tax fraud,in force since July 11, which transposes Directive 2016/1164, addresses different areas:
- Establishment of a general anti-abuse rule.
- A new regime of international tax transparency.
- Treatment of hybrid asymmetries.
- Limitation of the deductibility of interests.
- Regulation of the imposition of output.
Until now, Spain already regulated this figure both in the regulations of Corporation Tax, as in the Income Tax of Individuals, but now, in the Directive, novelties are introduced that it was necessaryto incorporate, and then we will review.
Amendments to the new law on measures to prevent and combat tax fraud
Corporate Income Tax
Different types of income that may be subject to imputation areincluded in this regime, which until now were not included in Spanish law, such as income derived from financial leasing operations or insurance, banking and other financial activities.
On the other hand, the provision of the Directive is introduced that when the transfer of assets has been subject to an exit tax in an EU Member State, the determined value of that Member State shall be accepted as the tax value in Spain,unless it reflects the market value.
And, apart from the Directive, it is established requirements for investment companies with variable capital (SICAV) to apply the tax rate of 1%.
Non-Resident Income Tax
The directive introduces the case of the transfer of assets abroad from a permanent establishment located in Spanish territory. A new scenario of generation of an exit tax is added in the event of a transfer of the activity carried out by the permanent establishment.
Personal Income Tax
A modification of the text is made, with the aim that the acquirer of an asset through a contract or succession agreement is subrogated in the value and date of acquisition that had this seeing in the deceased, provided that it is transmitted before the lapse of five years from the conclusion of the succession agreement or the death of the latter, whichever is earlier.
Inheritance and Gift Tax
The taxable base of theInheritance and Gift Tax is also modified, replacing the real value with value, which will be equated to the market value.
Wealth Tax
It includes how life insurance should be valued when the policyholder does not have the power to exercise the right of redemption.
Tax on Property Transfers and Documented Legal Acts
The taxable base of this tax is modified in the same way as in theInheritance and Gift Tax, replacing the real value with value. In addition, it introduces the subjection to the modality of patrimonial transmissions, of the operations of the purchases to individuals of articles of gold and jewelry, by merchants of this sector.
Stock market
The references of the precept to the real value in the valuation of real estate are deleted,and replaced by the reference value for the purposes of the ITP and AJD.
Value Added Tax
A series of modifications are incorporated to avoid erroneous interpretations that could lead to situations of abuse or fraud, especially in terms of tax liability.
Excise duties
With regard to excise duties on manufacturing, the Act is amended to make a technical adjustment to the definition of tax warehouses.
Repression of Contraband
The law establishes that, when one of the behaviors classified as smugglingis carried out, and this does not constitute a crime, it will be classified as an administrative infraction.
General Tax Law
The Law recognizes the prohibition of the establishment of any extraordinary mechanism of fiscal regularization that implies a decrease in the amount of the tax debt,and at the same time, a violation of the principles of organization of the tax system, embodying at the legal level a clear parameter of constitutionality, recognized by the High Court.
Real estate cadastre
When the real estate cadastre is not available, the alternative rule for the determination of the taxable base is established. This will also be when it is not possible to certify the reference value of a property.
Local haciendas
The regulatory references for the consideration of group of companies are updated,and it is clarified that the rule for calculating the net amount of turnover will apply independently of the accounting consolidation obligation.
Measures for the prevention of tax fraud
The term tax havens is adapted to that of non-cooperative jurisdictions,in accordance with the new international parameters.
Gambling regulation
Appropriate mechanisms are put in place to collaborate in the prevention and fight against the manipulation of sports competitions, and to combat fraud that can occur in sports betting.
Actions in the prevention and fight against fraud (Law 7/2012)
In those operations in which any of the intervening parties acts as an entrepreneur or professional, the cash payment in the operations is limited to 1000 euros.
Listed Investment Companies in the Real Estate Market (Law 11/2009)
A special tax is established on the part of the undetributed profits that comes from income that has not been taxed at the general rate of Corporation Tax or is in the legal period of reinvestment, and the obligations to provide information are adapted to the new taxation.
