Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Compensation of Losses: DGT doctrinal evolution

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

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How the DGT's position has evolved

Settled doctrine High confidence 53 rulings · 2014–2026

Current position

Capital gains and losses are integrated into the savings tax base for compensation purposes. If the result for the fiscal year is negative, compensation with income from movable capital is permitted with a limit of 25%. Losses from legal costs following a final judgment are considered capital losses integrable into the general tax base.

The DGT's position remains constant regarding the nature of capital gains and losses as elements of savings income. The doctrine has expanded to clarify specific scenarios, such as the imputation of losses from unpaid credits in insolvency proceedings or the classification of legal costs as capital losses.

Turning points

  1. V0187-23

    Clarifies that the loss from credits is not automatic upon non-payment, but requires the conclusion of the insolvency proceedings without satisfaction of the credit.

  2. V5351-26

    Establishes that the payment of legal costs following a final judgment constitutes a capital loss attributable to the period in which the judgment becomes final.

Analysis based on 52 of 53 rulings with a stated position. Updated 20 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

24
V1588-26 15 Jun 2026

Costs paid after a final civil judgment can be treated as a capital loss

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialcostas procesalessentencia firmealteración patrimonialbase imponible general LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.cLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0869-26 21 Apr 2026

Limitation of tax loss carryforwards after majority capital acquisition

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
bases imponibles negativascompensación de pérdidasneutralidad fiscalactividad económicasubrogación fiscal LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 5LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 26.4
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2610-25 23 Dec 2025

Losses not inheritable or compensable from deceased

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdidas patrimonialesbase imponible generaltransmisión mortis causacompensación de pérdidasrenta del ahorro LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 11LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 45
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1863-25 14 Oct 2025

Losses from a deceased relative cannot be offset by heirs in personal income tax

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdidas patrimonialesbase imponible del ahorrobase imponible generalcompensación de pérdidastitularidad de bienes LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 11.5LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 46
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1980-24 17 Sept 2024

2022 capital losses may be offset against 2023 capital gains

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
base imponible del ahorrorenta del ahorroganancias y pérdidas patrimonialesrendimientos del capital mobiliariocompensación de pérdidas LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 44LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 45
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0581-23 10 Mar 2023

Cannot extend four-year period to compensate pandemic-related losses

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
compensación de pérdidasganancias patrimonialescomunidad de bienesatribución de rentasplazo de compensación LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 8.3LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 48
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0187-23 7 Feb 2023

Loss of capital can be recognised after a bankruptcy procedure ends

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialderecho de créditoprocedimiento concursalimputación temporalbase imponible general LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.2.kLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2346-21 18 Aug 2021

Gains from the sale of subscription rights are included in the savings tax base

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
derechos de suscripciónganancia patrimonialbase imponible del ahorrocompensación de pérdidasvalores admitidos a negociación LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 37.1.aLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 49
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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