EU Finds Spain’s Taxes Discriminatory

The European Court of Justice recently ruled that Spanish authorities cannot charge different rates of inheritance tax for residents and non-residents.  In Spain, there are a complex range of tax relief options that can reduce the tax to zero for residents, however, these have previously been unavailable to non-residents.

 Non-residents who have been discriminated against by paying more tax than Spaniards for inheritances or gifts of property will likely be owed a refund of the difference.  The verdict earlier this month could open the floodgate to thousands of people reclaiming their tax.  Thus far, the Spanish authorities have not responded to the ruling.  Spain has six months to change its laws, which should come by January 2016.   

The reason for the decision rested on the notion that charging other members of the EU different rates to Spanish residents went against the spirit of the European union.  The court said the Spanish legislation was discriminatory and there was no reason why inheritance tax should be charged at a higher rate for non-Spaniards than for Spaniards. 

See Liz Phillips, EU Court Rules Against Spain Over Discriminatory Tax Rules, The Telegraph, Sept. 18, 2014.