Modelo 210 is the Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR) form. It’s used to declare income earned in Spain by individuals or entities that are not considered tax residents here.
For an autónomo, this might seem confusing. If you are a tax resident in Spain, you report your worldwide income through your regular quarterly and annual declarations, like Modelo 130 and the annual Renta (Modelo 100). However, there are specific situations where an autónomo might need to file a Modelo 210, usually on behalf of a non-resident client.
When do you file Modelo 210?
The most common scenario where an autónomo deals with Modelo 210 is when paying a non-resident individual or company for their services. If you hire a freelancer from another country to work on a project, the payment you make to them is considered income earned in Spain by a non-resident.
In this case, you are required to withhold a portion of their payment for taxes and pay it to the Spanish tax office using Modelo 210.
The filing deadlines depend on the type of income:
- For withheld rental income: You file quarterly within the first 20 days of April, July, October and January.
- For most other income (like professional services): The deadline also follows a quarterly schedule, due within the first 20 days following the end of each calendar quarter.
It's important to keep track of these dates to avoid late filing penalties.
Who needs to file Modelo 210?
Modelo 210 must be filed by:
- Non-residents earning income in Spain: Individuals or entities who are not tax residents in Spain but earn income from Spanish sources.
- Autónomos or businesses paying non-residents: If you, as a tax resident or autónomo, make payments to non-resident individuals or companies for services performed, you may need to file Modelo 210 on their behalf.
This includes scenarios such as paying a freelancer from another country for a project or paying non-resident landlords for property rentals in Spain. In these cases, it's your responsibility to withhold taxes from their payment and declare it through Modelo 210.
Common mistakes to avoid
When dealing with Modelo 210, a few common errors can lead to problems. Being aware of them can help you stay compliant.
- Forgetting to Withhold Tax: It's easy to pay an international invoice in full and forget your obligation to withhold Spanish tax. Always check if withholding is required before making the payment.
- Missing Filing Deadlines: The quarterly deadlines are strict. Mark them in your calendar to ensure you file on time.
- Incorrectly Identifying Residency: Make sure you correctly determine your provider's tax residency. If they are an EU resident, different withholding rates may apply compared to a non-EU resident.
