Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Stock Options: 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 10 rulings · 2014–2019

Current position

The exercise of stock options constitutes employment income in kind that accrues at the time of exercise if the options are non-transferable. It is possible to apply the 30% reduction for income with a generation period exceeding two years, provided that the previous temporality requirements and application limits are met. In the event of early settlement, the amounts are considered full monetary employment income.

The DGT's position remains stable in classifying these earnings as employment income and their accrual at the time of exercise. Consultations have focused on specifying the application of the 30% reduction and the transitional conditions for options granted before 2015. No changes in criterion are observed, but rather a reiteration of the current regulations.

Turning points

  1. V1305-17

    Specifies the application of the twenty-fifth transitional provision of the LIRPF (Personal Income Tax Law) for options granted before 2015, allowing the 30% reduction without the limit of the five previous tax periods.

Analysis based on 8 of 10 rulings with a stated position. Updated 29 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

10
V3834-15 2 Dec 2015

Exemption for foreign work not applicable to directors' income

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajoexención por trabajos en el extranjeroopciones sobre accionesrelación mercantiladministradores LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 7.p)LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V3365-15 2 Nov 2015

30% reduction applicable on share options with more than two-year generation period

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
reducción del 30 por cientoperiodo de generaciónopciones sobre accionesrendimientos del trabajoejercicio de opciones LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 18.2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. disposición transitoria vigésima quinta.4
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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