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LIFESTYLE

Irs Doesn't Deceive: It Won't Refund a Single Cent if You Make This Mistake

Don't get distracted, you might miss out on your tax return refund if you're not careful when filing it.

The Income Tax Return is an unavoidable annual appointment for Spanish taxpayers. However, making certain mistakes can cost you dearly.

Hacienda has been clear: if you make certain mistakes, they won't refund the money you're expecting. Here, we detail the most common cases and scenarios you should avoid to not lose your refund.

Errors That Can Cost You the Hacienda Refund in the 2025 Tax Return

An error in name, NIF, or marital status can invalidate your return. Not declaring your income, whether from work, rentals, or other sources, is a serious mistake and Hacienda will detect discrepancies.​

Tax office with 100 euro bills and a warning symbol.
Don't make these mistakes for your own good | en.edatv.news, Europa Press, PixaBay

Applying deductions you're not entitled to may seem tempting, but if Hacienda discovers it, you won't just lose the refund. You could face penalties.​ Incorrectly declaring deductions for rental or purchase of a primary residence is common and verify the requirements before applying them.​

Not declaring aids or subsidies can bring you problems. Some aids are subject to taxation, if you omit them, Hacienda will consider it undeclared income.​

Why Should We Be Careful? Hacienda Is Strict

Hacienda has advanced verification systems and cross-references information with various entities. A small error can trigger an alert and lead to a thorough review of your return. Moreover, the consequences aren't limited to the loss of the refund; you could face fines and surcharges.​

  • Review your tax data: Before submitting the return, verify that all your personal and economic data are correct.​
  • Use the tax draft: Hacienda offers a draft that you can review and modify. It's a useful tool to avoid omissions.​
Woman with a worried expression biting her nails, next to a warning icon and the logo of the Tax Agency.
Be careful or you'll end up regretting it | Dean Drobot, Pipat, Agencia Tributaria
  • Inform yourself about deductions: Not all deductions apply to everyone. Check which ones you can apply according to your personal and family situation.​
  • Declare all your sources of income: Even if you think they are insignificant, it's better to declare them to avoid future problems.​
  • Pay attention to important dates for the 2025 Tax Return: Submitting the return late can lead to penalties. Mark the key dates on your calendar to avoid forgetting.​

Recent Cases That Serve as a Warning

Recently, there have been cases that exemplify the consequences of making mistakes in the return. A civil servant was accused of altering the return of a former friend, turning a refund of more than 400 euros into a debt of more than 4,000 euros.

These types of fraudulent actions are detected and sanctioned by Hacienda. ​The Tax Agency has initiated reviews of 281,000 self-employed individuals who may have received aids without meeting the requirements. These taxpayers might have to return the amounts received and face penalties. 

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