Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) letter explained in English
Tax agency. The state tax office, often called Hacienda. It handles income tax (IRPF), VAT (IVA) and tax refunds.
Letters you may get
- Liquidación provisional — they changed your tax result, and you may owe more
- Propuesta de liquidación — a draft tax bill; you can reply first (alegaciones)
- Requerimiento — they ask for documents or information
- Providencia de apremio — you paid late, so a surcharge is added
What to do
- You can read your tax letters online in the sede electrónica of the Agencia Tributaria, with Cl@ve or a digital certificate.
- You can usually appeal a tax decision within one month (recurso de reposición).
- Find the deadline. Look for “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Hacienda
- Everyday name for the tax office (Agencia Tributaria).
- IRPF
- Personal income tax. The yearly tax return (declaración de la renta) is usually filed from April to June.
- Liquidación
- Calculation of an amount you must pay, often a tax assessment.
- Propuesta de liquidación
- A draft tax assessment. It isn’t final — you can reply with alegaciones first.
- Requerimiento
- Formal request to send documents, give information or pay.
- Recurso de reposición
- Appeal to the same office that made the decision. Usually within one month.
- Alegaciones
- Your written arguments and proof, sent before the office makes its final decision.
- Apremio
- Enforced collection. You didn’t pay in time, so a surcharge is added.
Questions
What is the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT)?
Tax agency. The state tax office, often called Hacienda. It handles income tax (IRPF), VAT (IVA) and tax refunds.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles” — they mark the deadline. In Spain, deadlines usually count from the day after the letter is delivered (notificación). A paper letter is delivered on the day you receive it; an electronic one when you open it, or 10 calendar days after it was made available. We estimate 3 days for post — use the real date if you know it. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”).
Can I read a Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Spanish. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Spain
Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) · Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) · Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) · Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional · Ayuntamiento · Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Organismo de recaudación / Diputación · Agencia tributaria autonómica