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Spain: The reform of the Tax on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases comes into force

Spain - 

Spain Tax Commentary

Law 14/2022 of July 8, 2022, the first final provision of which amends the Tax on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (IGFEI), was published in the Official State Gazette on July 9, 2022. In addition, the corresponding implementing regulations were published on August 31.

The rules published on August 31 are as follows:

  1.  Royal Decree 712/2022, of August 30, 2022, approving the IGFEI Regulations.
  2.  Order HFP/826/2022, of August 30, 2022, in which the following are approved:
  • Standard form 587 “Tax on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases. Self-assessment”.
  • Standard form A23 “Tax on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases. Refund application”.

The Order also stipulates the form in which, and procedure whereby, these forms are to be filed, and sets out the rules on entry in the Tax on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Territorial Register (the Register) and on the bookkeeping of inventories.

The new rules came into force on September 1, 2022.

We summarize below the most important aspects of this tax now that its implementing regulations have been approved.

Nature and scope of application

The IGFEI is an indirect tax levied on the use in Spanish territory of fluorinated greenhouse gases. According to the relevant provisions, this includes the following:

  1. The hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) no. 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of April 16, 2014, on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) no. 842/2006.
  2. Mixtures containing any of the above substances.

The tax will apply throughout Spanish territory, without prejudice to any provincial (“foral”) regimes and to the provisions of international treaties and conventions.

Main elements of the tax

Taxable event

This tax is levied on the manufacture, the importation, the intra-Community acquisition, or the unlawful possession of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The taxable event is deemed to have taken place irrespective of whether the gases are packaged in containers or are incorporated into products, equipment, or appliances.

Non-subjection to the tax

The following are not subject to this tax:

  1. The manufacture, importation, intra-Community acquisition, or unlawful possession, in the territory in which the tax is applicable, of gases with a global warming potential (GWP) of 150 or less.
  2. The manufacture of gases that are to be dispatched directly by the manufacturer, or by a third party acting in its name and on its behalf, to a place outside the territory in which the tax is applicable.
  3. The dispatch to outside the territory in which the tax is applicable of gases to which the special accrual rule for storers of fluorinated gases has been applied.

The effectiveness of the rules on non-subjection in these cases is dependent on there being evidence — in any form admissible in law — to demonstrate upon request by the State Tax Agency (AEAT) that the intended use of the fluorinated gases acquired does indeed generate entitlement to their application.

Exemptions

An exemption is envisaged in the following cases:

  1. The manufacture, importation, or intra-Community acquisition of gases intended to be used as a raw material, for their chemical transformation in a process in which their composition is entirely altered.
  2. The manufacture or intra-Community acquisition of gases which are to be marketed in order to be destroyed.
  3. The manufacture, importation, or intra-Community acquisition of gases to be used in military equipment.
  4. The intra-Community acquisition of gases which, before the end of the period in which the self-assessment of the tax corresponding to the taxable event is required to be presented, are to be dispatched directly by the intra-Community acquirer, or by a third party acting in its name and on its behalf, to a place outside the territory in which the tax is applicable.
  5. The importation or intra-Community acquisition of gases contained in products forming part of the personal luggage of persons traveling from a third territory, provided that they are not being shipped for commercial purposes.
  6. The manufacture, importation or intra-Community acquisition of gases intended to be incorporated into vessels or aircraft that conduct international maritime or air navigation operations, private recreational navigation excluded.

The taxpayers who make the first delivery to acquirers of the gases on which the tax is levied, or who place them at the acquirers’ disposal for the first time, are required to obtain beforehand, from the acquirers, a declaration stating how such products are intended to be used. Such declarations must be kept for the duration of the statute of limitations periods.

The effectiveness of the exemption in these cases is dependent on it being proven — by any means admissible in law — that the greenhouse gases on which the tax is levied have effectively left the territory in which it is applicable, or that they have actually been used in the manner envisaged, as appropriate.

Tax base

The tax base for this tax is the weight of the gases, expressed in kilograms. Various presumptions are nevertheless established for the purpose of determining the tax base in the case of products, equipment or appliances containing gases for which the necessary data is not available.

Tax rate and gross tax payable

The tax rate is determined by applying a coefficient of 0.015 to the global warming potential corresponding to each gas at the point in time at which the taxable event takes place, with a cap of 100 euros per kilo.

In the case of products, equipment or appliances containing gases on which the tax is levied and whose global warming potential is unknown, the tax rate is presumed to be 100 euros per kilo.

The gross tax payable is arrived at by applying the tax rate to the tax base.

Deductions

It shall be possible to deduct from the tax payable accrued in each assessment period the amount of tax paid in respect of gases which have been dispatched, by the taxpayer or by a third party acting in its name and on its behalf, to outside the territory in which the tax is applicable. The application of this deduction is conditional upon the AEAT being provided with evidence — in any of the forms admissible in law — proving the dispatch of the gases and payment of the tax.

Where the deductions exceed the tax charges accrued, the excess may be offset in self-assessments corresponding to the following four years. There will also be the possibility of applying for a refund of the balance in the taxpayer's favor as of December 31 of each year (in the self-assessment return corresponding to the last assessment period for the year).

Refunds

The following parties shall be entitled to apply for a refund of tax paid:

  1. Importers of gases which have been dispatched by such importers themselves or by a third party acting in their name and on their behalf, to outside the territory in which the tax is applicable.
  2. Acquirers of gases who are not classed as taxpayers and demonstrate the dispatch thereof to outside the territory in which the tax is applicable.
  3. Acquirers of gases who are not classed as taxpayers and demonstrate that the use made of such gases is that which gave rise to the application of the exemption for use in ships or aircraft that conduct international maritime or air navigation operations.

Such refunds shall be conditional upon the AEAT being provided with evidence, in any of the forms admissible in law, proving the circumstances which gave rise to the refund application and the payment of the tax.

The refund application (form A23), along with the evidence proving such circumstances and the payment of the tax, are to be presented to the AEAT between the 1st and the 20th of the month following that in which the quarter in which such circumstances arose comes to an end.

How does the tax work in the case of each taxable event?

Manufacture

Taxpayer: the natural or legal persons and entities referred to in article 35.4 of the General Taxation Law (LGT) who engage in the manufacture of the gases on which the tax is levied.

Chargeability: when the manufacturer makes the first delivery of the gases to the acquirer or places them at the acquirer’s disposal for the first time, in the territory in which the tax is applicable, or, where appropriate, when the manufacturer uses the gases it has manufactured. Accrual is brought forward where advance payments are made, in proportion to the amounts effectively received.

Self-assessment: the tax is required to be self-assessed and paid in (form 587) between the 1st and the 20th of the month following the end of the assessment period, which will coincide with the calendar quarter.

Registration obligations: taxpayers engaging in the manufacture of the gases are required to be entered in the Register kept by the management office corresponding to their establishment before commencing such activity. In the case of activities which had already commenced before September 1, 2022, registration must be applied for during the month of September. Once registration has taken place, the management office will hand over to the interested party the identification card stating its Fluorinated Gases Activity Code (CAF). As many CAFs must be obtained as there are activities pursued and establishments pursuing them.

Accounting obligations: manufacturers are required to keep accounting records of the products on which the tax is levied and, where appropriate, the raw materials required to obtain such products. This obligation is to be complied with via the AEAT’s website, by presenting the corresponding accounting entries electronically between the 1st and the 20th days of the month following the end of the assessment period. An exception to this rule applies to the submission of the accounting records corresponding to the month of September 2022, which are to be submitted in the period established for submission of the accounting records corresponding to the final quarter of 2022.

Billing obligations: persons making sales or deliveries of fluorinated gases or products, equipment or appliances containing such gases are required to reflect the following information in a certificate or in the invoices they issue in respect of such sales or deliveries: (i) the type of fluorinated gas, (ii) the quantity of gas, expressed in kilos, and (iii) the amount of tax paid.

Communication and self-assessment of inventories as of September 1, 2022: manufacturers of fluorinated gases and parties classed as resellers pursuant to the previous wording of the tax rules are required to:

  1. Communicate to the AEAT, during the month of September 2022, the quantity of fluorinated gases located in their facilities as of September 1, 2022 and include such quantity in their inventory accounting records.
  2. In addition, resellers who are not classed as storers are required to present, between September 1 and November 30, 2022, a self-assessment with the tax payable corresponding to inventories of gases as of September 1, 2022.

Intra-community acquisition

Taxpayer: the natural or legal persons and entities referred to in article 35.4 of the LGT who engage in the intra-Community acquisition of the gases on which the tax is levied.

Chargeability: the 15th day of the month following that in which the dispatch or transport of the gases to the purchaser begins, unless the invoice for such operations is issued on an earlier date, in which case the tax becomes chargeable on the date the invoice is issued.

Self-assessment: except in the case of assessment periods for which there is no tax charge to be paid in, taxpayers are under the obligation to self-assess the tax and pay it in (through form 587) between the 1st and the 20th days of the month following the end of the assessment period. This will coincide with the calendar quarter.

Registration obligations: taxpayers engaging in the intra-Community acquisition of the gases are required to be entered as intra-Community acquirers in the Register kept by the management office corresponding to their domicile for tax purposes. If they are classed as storers, however, they are required to register in that capacity. Once registration has taken place, the management office will hand over to the interested party the identification card with its CAF. As many CAFs must be obtained as there are activities pursued.

Accounting obligations: intra-Community acquirers are excluded from the obligation to keep accounting records of the products on which the tax is levied in assessment periods in which there is no tax payable. In all other periods:

  1. They are required to keep accounting records of the products on which the tax is levied and, where appropriate, the raw materials necessary to obtain such products.
  2. This obligation is to be complied with via the AEAT’s website, by submitting the corresponding accounting entries electronically between the 1st and the 20th days of the month following the end of the assessment period. An exception to this rule applies to the submission of the accounting records corresponding to the month of September 2022, which are to be submitted in the period established for submission of the accounting records corresponding to the final quarter of 2022.

Billing obligations: persons making sales or deliveries of fluorinated gases or products, equipment or appliances containing such gases are required to reflect the following information in a certificate or in the invoices they issue in respect of such sales or deliveries: (i) the type of fluorinated gas, (ii) the quantity of gas, expressed in kilos, and (iii) the amount of tax paid.

Importation

Taxpayer: the natural persons or legal entities referred to in article 35.4 of the General Taxation Law (LGT) who engage in the intra-Community acquisition of the gases on which the tax is levied.

Chargeability event: when the import duties become chargeable, pursuant to customs legislation, irrespective of whether the imports in question are subject or not subject to such duties.

Assessment: The tax will be assessed in the same manner as is specified for the customs debt under customs legislation.

Registration obligations: Importers who are not classed as economic operators pursuant to Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code are excluded from the registration obligation. All other taxpayers engaging in the importation of the gases are required to be entered in the Registry kept by the management office corresponding to their domicile for tax purposes. If they are classed as storers, however, they are required to register in that capacity. Once registration has taken place, the management office will hand over to the interested party the identification card with its CAF. As many CAFs must be obtained as there are activities pursued.

Accounting obligations: importers are excluded from the obligation to keep accounting records of the products on which the tax is levied.

Billing obligations: persons making sales or deliveries of fluorinated gases or products, equipment or appliances containing such gases are required to reflect the following information in a certificate or in the invoices they issue in respect of such sales or deliveries: (i) the type of fluorinated gas, (ii) the quantity of gas, expressed in kilos, and (iii) the amount of tax paid.

Storers of fluorinated gases

The law envisages for the first time the figure of the storer, the idea being to avoid the possible financial cost for parties who stock gases, due to the time elapsing between the point at which they pay in the tax and the point at which it is recovered through the price charged on sales of gases.

In order to mitigate this cost, the possibility is envisaged of deferring the accrual of the tax until the point at which the storer delivers the gases to, or places them at the disposal of, a party who is not classed as a storer, or the point at which use is made of the gases. In these cases, it is the storer who is classed as the taxpayer.

Requirements: The following requirements must be met in order to apply this deferral regime:

  1. An authorization to function as storer must be obtained beforehand from the management office corresponding to the domicile for tax purposes of the party concerned.
  2. The storer must present the corresponding authorization issued by the management office, as evidence of its status as such, to the seller of the gases or to the customs office of import.

Registration obligations: the storer, once authorized, must apply to be entered in the Register kept by the management office corresponding to each of its establishments. Once registration has taken place, the management office will hand over to the interested party the identification card with its CAF.

The AEAT may, at the request of the interested party, enter taxpayers registered as of August 31, 2022 as storers, using the following identifying characters: “GF: manufacturers, importers and intra-Community acquirers” and “GV: other resellers”.

Accounting obligations: storers are required to keep accounting records of the products on which the tax is levied and, where appropriate, the raw materials necessary to obtain such products. This obligation is to be complied with via the AEAT’s website, by submitting the corresponding accounting entries electronically between the 1st and the 20th days of the month following the end of the assessment period. An exception to this rule applies to the submission of the accounting records corresponding to the month of September 2022, which are to be submitted in the period established for submission of the accounting records corresponding to the final quarter of 2022.

Unlawful possession

Taxable event: the possession, marketing, transport, or use of gases when the party which possesses, markets, transports or uses them fails to demonstrate that it has manufactured them, imported them, acquired them intra-Community or acquired them in the territory in which such tax is applicable, or that such gases are under customs supervision pursuant to Regulation (EU) no. 952/2013.

Taxpayer: the party which possesses, markets, transports, or uses the gases.

Chargeability: when such unlawful possession is established unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Non-established taxpayers

Taxpayers not established in Spanish territory are under the obligation to appoint a natural person or legal entity as their representative vis-à-vis the tax administration for the purposes of their obligations in relation to this tax. Such appointment, which must be duly evidenced, must be formalized before the first operation constituting a taxable event for the purposes of this tax is conducted.

The representatives must request their entry in the IGFEI Territorial Register kept by the management office corresponding to their domicile for tax purposes or, where appropriate, their establishment.

Transitional rules

The manufacture, importation or intra-community acquisition of sulphur hexafluoride intended to be used in the manufacture of electrical products will be exempt from the tax up until December 31, 2023. The label on the corresponding container must state that the contents are intended to be used exclusively for this purpose, in accordance with the provisions of article 12 of Regulation (EU) no. 517/2014.

In addition, an exemption applies through to December 31, 2026, for the manufacture, importation, or intra-Community acquisition of gases on which the tax is levied which are to be used in metered dose inhalers for the supply of pharmaceutical ingredients. The label on the containers containing these gases must state that they are intended to be used for such purposes, in accordance with the provisions of article 12 of Regulation (EU) no. 517/2014.