General scheme

Who is applicable for the general regime?

This regime is applicable when none of the special regimes are applicable or when the simplified regime or the special regime for agriculture, livestock and fishing is waived or excluded.

What does the general regime consist in?

Clients will be charged the corresponding VAT according to the amount of the transaction and the applicable rate (21%, 10% or 4%), unless it is exempt from tax. Suppliers of goods and services will also charge the corresponding VAT. The difference between the accrued VAT, that is, passed on to clients, and the deductible input VAT, which is passed on to suppliers, must be calculated and, where appropriate, entered.

Formal obligations

• Issue and deliver a complete invoice to customers and keep a copy. However, in certain operations, for example, retail sales, a simplified invoice may be issued when the amount does not exceed €3,000 VAT included.

• Request an invoice from suppliers and keep it in order to be able to deduct the VAT paid.

• Keep the following record books:

  • Register book of issued invoices

  • Received invoices record book

  • Capital goods record book.

  • Register book of specific Intra-Community operations

• Submit the corresponding periodic declarations (monthly or quarterly).

  See How to file the VAT return – form 303 in the link that appears on the right as "Related content".

  In the case of groups of entities, models 322 and 353.

• Submit the annual summary declaration – form 390, between the 1st and 30th of January of the following year. Exceptions are made to those who keep their Registry Books through the electronic headquarters of the AEAT ( SII ) as well as those who, paying taxes only in common territory, carry out exclusively activities that are taxed under a simplified VAT regime and/or leasing of urban real estate (activities may also be carried out for which there is no obligation to submit periodic self-assessments).