Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Employment Income in Kind: 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 31 rulings · 2014–2025

Current position

Loans with interest rates below the normal market rate are considered employment income in kind, even without an employment relationship with the entity. Their valuation is determined by the difference between the interest paid and the price offered to the public, deducting ordinary discounts. In the case of point redemptions, the income arises at the time of the delivery of goods or services, not upon the mere granting of the points.

The DGT's position remains stable regarding the classification of economic benefits as income in kind, but it has clarified the valuation of loans and the timing of accrual in point systems. A consolidation is observed in the criterion of valuing loans by the difference from the public price rather than the legal interest rate. No changes in doctrine are detected, but rather specific applications to different scenarios.

Turning points

  1. V0991-24

    Establishes that loans with reduced interest rates are income in kind even if no employment relationship with the entity exists.

  2. V1990-25

    Clarifies that the mere granting of points does not constitute income, but rather that income arises when the goods or services resulting from the redemption are delivered.

Analysis based on 30 of 31 rulings with a stated position. Updated 24 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

24
V1440-24 14 Jun 2024

Gift cards for volunteer collaborators may be deductible expenses for Corporation Tax

SG de Impuestos sobre las Personas Jurídicas
entidad sin ánimo de lucrorendimientos del trabajo en especiegastos deduciblesmedio de pagoactividad económica LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 5.1LIS — Ley 27/2014 del Impuesto sobre Sociedades art. 9
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1133-24 23 May 2024

Loss of exemption for share delivery if shares not held for three years

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieopciones de compraexención por entrega de accionesperíodo de generaciónganancia patrimonial LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 18.2
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2721-23 6 Oct 2023

Exercise of stock options classified as employment income in kind

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieopciones de compraperiodo de generaciónvalor de mercadoexención LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 18.2
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0221-23 13 Feb 2023

Share distribution exemption requires identical terms for all workers

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieexención de entrega de accionesvalor de mercadoempresa emergenteparticipaciones sociales LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 42.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0107-22 24 Jan 2022

Application of the €12,000 exemption for share awards and additional shares

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieexención de entrega de accionesacciones adicionalesvalor de mercadoretribución en especie LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 42.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V3171-19 13 Nov 2019

Exemption of €12,000 for share giveaways to workers in a group of companies

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieexención de accionesgrupo de sociedadesretribución en especieparticipación accionarial LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 42.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2785-16 21 Jun 2016

Share awards are taxed as employment income in the year of delivery

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
rendimientos del trabajo en especieentrega de accionesperíodo de generaciónreducción del 30 por cientoimputación temporal LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 17.2.e)
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