Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Offsetting of Tax Bases: DGT doctrinal evolution

How the DGT's position on this topic has evolved, and the rulings it rests on.

← DGT Observatory

How the DGT's position has evolved

Settled doctrine High confidence 66 rulings · 2014–2026

Current position

Negative tax bases may be offset against positive income from subsequent years, respecting the limit of 70% of the tax base, with the exception of the first million euros. In the scope of IRPF (Personal Income Tax), capital losses are offset against capital gains of the same type and income from movable capital, and may be carried forward for the following four years. The offsetting is not prevented by a change in the entity's corporate purpose, provided that the limitations due to a change of control under article 26.4 of the LIS (Corporate Income Tax Law) do not apply.

The DGT's position remains constant in the application of the legal offsetting limits in both Corporate Income Tax and IRPF. It is confirmed that the transition of an entity from a holding company to one with economic activity does not annul the right to offset, provided that a restrictive change of control does not occur. The doctrine has focused on the technical application of articles 26 of the LIS and 50 of the LIRPF (Personal Income Tax Law).

Analysis based on 61 of 66 rulings with a stated position. Updated 23 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

24
V1110-26 18 May 2026

Loss from 2020 property sale can be offset by 2024 gain

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
renta del ahorroganancia patrimonialpérdida patrimonialcompensación de basesbase imponible del ahorro LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 44LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 46
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0019-26 8 Jan 2026

Limits on compensation of negative taxable bases after absorption merger

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
fusión por absorciónbases imponibles negativascompensación de basesrégimen fiscal especialreestructuración LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 5.2LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 25
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2392-24 25 Nov 2024

Exemption from compensation limit for negative taxable bases in IS

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
condonación mercantilquitabases imponibles negativasacuerdo transaccionalcompensación de bases LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 10.3LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 11.3
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0931-24 25 Apr 2024

Income from debt forgiveness excluded from negative tax base offset limits

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
quitabases imponibles negativascompensación de basespasivo financieroremisión de deuda LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 10.3LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 11.3
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0547-24 9 Apr 2024

Capital losses from 2022 cannot be offset against capital gains from 2004

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialganancia patrimonialrenta del ahorrotributación conjuntacompensación de bases LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 44LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 46
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V3215-21 27 Dec 2021

Negative taxable bases can be offset against non-exempt dividends

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
bases imponibles negativasdividendos exentosgastos de gestióncompensación de basesentidad patrimonial LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 10LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 21
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0442-21 2 Mar 2021

Losses from property sales may be offset against future capital gains

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
base imponible del ahorropérdidas patrimonialesganancias patrimonialescompensación de basestransmisión de inmuebles LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 46LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 49.1.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0722-20 6 Apr 2020

Capital losses from share write-offs can be offset against future capital gains

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialamortización de valoresbase imponible del ahorroreducción de capitalcompensación de bases LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1cLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.3.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

Apply this to your case

Corporate tax advisoryTalk to the team applying this doctrine daily.
Talk to the tax teamWe check whether this criterion affects you and what it means in your situation.
Email
Contact