There are several aspects to be considered for the tax rates in Spain. This includes; income tax, social security tax, and other relevant taxes. We will see a detailed overview of the tax rates for freelancers in Spain in this blog post;
1. Income Tax Rates
Each freelancer working in or with Spain is subject to personal income tax. The rates are progressive, that means rates will increase with higher income levels. Here are the tax rates due to earning amounts;
- Up to €12,450: 19%
- €12,450 - €20,200: 24%
- €20,200 - €35,200: 30%
- €35,200 - €60,000: 37%
- Over €60,000: 47%
2. Social Security Contributions
Freelancers in Spain must make social security contributions to the Seguridad Social, which cover benefits such as healthcare, pensions, and unemployment. The contribution rates for 2024 are:
- General Contribution Rate: Approximately 30.6% of the freelancer’s gross income. This rate is divided into various sections, including contributions for common contingencies, professional contingencies, and contributions to the unemployment fund.
- Minimum Contribution Base: For 2024, the minimum monthly contribution base is €1,000. Freelancers must pay contributions based on this minimum base if their income does not exceed it.
3. VAT (Value Added Tax)
Freelancers are generally required to charge VAT on their invoice. The rate in Spain is 21%, however it is changeable according to the service type. For example, for food sector the rate is 10% and for basic necessities like milk, bread and some medical products it is 4%.
This is very important to know: Freelancers must file quarterly VAT returns and pay any VAT collected from clients to the tax authorities.
4. Quarterly Tax Payments
Freelancers in Spain are required to make quarterly tax payments to cover their income tax and social security contributions. These payments include income tax prepayment and VAT payments.
5. Deductions and Allowances
Freelancers can deduct various business expenses from their taxable income to reduce their tax liability. Common deductions include:
- Office Supplies and Equipment: Costs associated with running a freelance business.
- Travel and Transportation: Expenses incurred while traveling for work purposes.
- Professional Services: Fees for legal, accounting, and consulting services related to the business.
- Home Office Deduction: A portion of home expenses may be deductible if used exclusively for business.
6. Tax Filing and Deadlines
Freelancers must file their annual income tax return (Declaración de la Renta) between April and June of the following year. Quarterly tax payments are due on the 20th of April, July, October, and January.
Some of the most preferred freelance jobs in Spain include roles in technology, design, and content creation. Software development and web development are highly sought after due to the growing tech industry. Freelancers specializing in graphic design and UI/UX design also find abundant opportunities, as businesses increasingly focus on strong visual branding and user experience. Content writing and digital marketing are popular as well, with many companies needing skilled professionals to manage SEO, social media, and advertising. Additionally, translation and copywriting cater to Spain’s multilingual market, offering freelance work in translating documents and creating engaging content. These roles are favored for their flexibility, diverse project opportunities, and the ability to work with both local and international clients.
In summary, Freelancer's tax in Spain in 2024 must navigate a range of tax obligations, including progressive income tax rates, social security contributions, and VAT. Understanding these rates and requirements is extremely important for freelancers to stay on the safe side of the law.
Knowing the regulations for a freelancer plays an important role for the sake of their business. Ruul does not provide income tax compliance/services. Every freelancer who receives a payment is responsible for their own taxes. Ruul does not offer assistance in this area. However Ruul handles all their sales tax and compliance for every payment, cutting down their paperwork. It also handles global sales tax charging and remittance. This allows them to stay on the safe side of the law while doing business.
Ruul: The Perfect Support To Your Freelancer Needs
Invoicing without a company can be challenging for the freelancer. Ruul is a great help from invoicing to managing payments. One of the most important and critical parts of freelancing is finding the right freelancer payment solution. Receiving payments fast, easy and secure is important to maintain financial stability. In this case, freelancers should choose the right tool to invoice their clients, get paid easy and fast.
Ruul allows freelancers to receive payment in crypto currencies. Accepting crypto currency is advantageous for the freelancer since it is an easy, fast and secure payment method. Once the payment is done Ruul makes sure freelancers receive their money to the account they prefer in 24 hours.
Freelancer can authorize Ruul as your Merchant of Record to sell their services and collect payment. With this way they can focus on their business while Ruul is handling the most critical part of their business.
