Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Remuneratory Interest: 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

Doctrinal reversal High confidence 14 rulings · 2014–2024

Current position

Interest of an indemnifying nature for compensation for damages is classified as capital gains. According to the doctrine of the Supreme Court, late payment interest for the refund of undue payments is not subject to IRPF (Personal Income Tax). In the case of interest for delay in the payment of salaries, these must be included in the general tax base and not in the savings tax base.

The DGT has maintained the distinction between remuneratory interest (returns on movable capital) and indemnifying interest (capital gains). However, the position has shifted to exclude the taxation of late payment interest for the refund of undue payments and to move the inclusion of certain indemnifying interest from the savings base to the general base.

Turning points

  1. V1195-22

    It is established that late payment interest for the refund of undue payments is not subject to IRPF, following the doctrine of the Supreme Court.

  2. V1004-24

    Interest for delay in the payment of salaries, although they are capital gains, must be included in the general tax base instead of the savings tax base.

Analysis based on 14 of 14 rulings with a stated position. Updated 26 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

14
V1004-24 10 May 2024

Interest for unpaid wages is taxed as a capital gain within the general tax base

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
intereses indemnizatoriosintereses remuneratoriosganancia patrimonialbase imponible generalrendimientos del capital mobiliario LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1195-22 27 May 2022

Late payment interest on tax refunds from the AEAT is not subject to IRPF

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
intereses de demoraingresos indebidosganancias patrimonialesrendimientos del capital mobiliariointereses remuneratorios LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1009-20 22 Apr 2020

Loan interest not part of property acquisition value

SG de Fiscalidad Internacional
ganancia patrimonialvalor de adquisiciónvalor de transmisiónenajenación de bienes inmueblesintereses remuneratorios TRLIRNR — RDLeg 5/2004 del IRNR art. 13.1.i)TRLIRNR — RDLeg 5/2004 del IRNR art. 24.6.2ª
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1240-19 30 May 2019

Legal interest on housing refunds taxed as capital gains in the savings tax base

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
intereses legalesintereses indemnizatoriosintereses remuneratoriosganancia patrimonialrendimientos del capital mobiliario LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1562-16 13 Apr 2016

Refund of a previously deducted tax must be recorded as business income

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimiento de la actividad económicaimputación temporalintereses de demoraintereses remuneratoriosintereses indemnizatorios LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.bLIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

Apply this to your case

Beckham Law & impatriate taxationTalk to the team applying this doctrine daily.
IRPF Spain 2026 CalculatorEstimate the impact on your case in two minutes.
Talk to the tax teamWe check whether this criterion affects you and what it means in your situation.
Email
Contact