Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Procedural Default Interest: 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 15 rulings · 2015–2019

Current position

Procedural default interest is compensatory in nature and is taxed as capital gains included in the savings tax base. Their temporal imputation occurs in the tax year in which they are quantified and their payment is agreed upon. They do not form part of the IVA (Value Added Tax) tax base due to their compensatory nature.

The DGT's position has remained constant throughout the analyzed sequence. Since 2015, the administration has maintained that both legal interest and procedural default interest are capital gains. The only clarification added in 2019 is the exclusion of these interests from the IVA tax base.

Turning points

  1. V1238-19

    Clarifies that procedural default interest does not form part of the IVA tax base due to its compensatory nature.

Analysis based on 15 of 15 rulings with a stated position. Updated 26 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

15
V1181-17 17 May 2017

Tax refunds for IRPF may be requested for interest on voided preferred shares

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
participaciones preferentesrendimientos del capital mobiliarioganancia patrimonialrectificación de autoliquidaciónintereses legales LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.cLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.2.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0675-16 18 Feb 2016

Income tax refunds may be requested for interest on voided preferred shares

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
participaciones preferentesrendimientos del capital mobiliarioganancia patrimonialintereses legalesintereses de mora procesal LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.cLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.2.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V3318-15 27 Oct 2015

Income tax refunds may be claimed for interest on debt declared void

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
deuda subordinadarendimientos del capital mobiliarioganancia patrimonialrectificación de autoliquidaciónintereses legales LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.cLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.2.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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