Javier Vinuesa highlights the complexity of the tax system for high-net-worth individuals and family businesses | El Confidencial

The government seeks to attract new high-net-worth taxpayers while intensifying pressure on the wealthy already resident in the country.

The Wealth Tax is one of the main concerns for the wealthy. “Spain is one of the few countries that still maintains it. For those relocating to our country, the priority is usually to plan for the impact of a tax whose marginal rate can reach 3.5%,” explains Javier Vinuesa, partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo.

At the same time, the Beckham Law—enhanced to attract high-net-worth inbound expatriates—coexists with increased tax scrutiny and audits of major taxpayers. This combination aims to boost revenue without losing international appeal.

Vinuesa also points to the need to simplify the family business regime, “whose regulatory complexity and formal requirements sometimes make compliance difficult,” and considers it “desirable to undertake a simplification that provides greater legal certainty.”

The challenge for the tax authorities now lies in maintaining the balance between attractiveness and certainty, without jeopardising the arrival of new investors.

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