Spain Social Contributions (RETA) -- Self-Employed Skill v2.0

Section 1 -- Quick reference

Read this whole section before computing or classifying anything.

Field	Value
Country	Spain
Primary Legislation	LGSS; Real Decreto-ley 13/2022 (income-based system)
Supporting Legislation	Orden PJC/178/2025 (2025 rates); Ley 20/2007 (Estatuto Trabajo Autonomo); Ley 35/2006 IRPF
Tax Authority	Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS)
Currency	EUR only
Total contribution rate (2025)	31.40%
Tarifa plana (new autonomos)	EUR 80/month (first 12 months)
Payment frequency	Monthly (last business day of current month)
Payment method	Domiciliacion bancaria (direct debit) -- mandatory
15 income tranches	Tranche 1 (<=EUR 670/mo) to Tranche 15 (>EUR 6,000/mo)
Maximum base (2025)	EUR 4,909.50/month
Autonomo societario minimum	EUR 1,000.00/month
Base change windows	6 per year (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)
Regularisation	Automatic after IRPF filing
Contributor	Open Accountants
Validated by	Pending -- requires sign-off by qualified asesor fiscal
Validation date	Pending

Conservative defaults:

Ambiguity	Default
Unknown persona fisica vs societario	Ask -- minimum base rules differ
Unknown net income estimate	STOP -- income estimate required for tranche
Unknown whether first-time autonomo	Ask -- tarifa plana eligibility
Unknown 7% vs 3% deduction	Apply 7% (persona fisica default); 3% for societarios

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Section 2 -- Required inputs and refusal catalogue

Required inputs

Minimum viable -- type (persona fisica or societario), estimated monthly net income (rendimientos netos), and whether first registration.

Recommended -- bank statements showing TGSS debits, date of alta, prior RETA registration history, IRPF declaration.

Ideal -- complete IRPF data, TGSS Informe de Bases de Cotizacion, alta/baja history.

Refusal catalogue

R-ES-SC-1 -- Disability regimes. Trigger: client has disability affecting contribution rates. Message: "Disability contribution regimes require case-specific TGSS assessment. Escalate."

R-ES-SC-2 -- Cross-border posted workers. Trigger: client posted from another EU country. Message: "EU social security coordination applies. Escalate."

R-ES-SC-3 -- Mutuas MATEPSS specifics. Trigger: client asks about specific Mutua benefits or coverage details. Message: "Mutua-specific benefit calculations are out of scope. Contact the relevant Mutua."

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Section 3 -- Payment pattern library

This is the deterministic pre-classifier for bank statement transactions related to RETA contributions.

3.1 TGSS direct debits (monthly cuota)

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
TGSS, TESORERIA GENERAL	EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota	Monthly autonomo contribution
SEGURIDAD SOCIAL, SS	EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota	Alternative description
CUOTA AUTONOMOS	EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota	Explicit cuota reference
RETA, REG ESP TRAB AUTONOMOS	EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota	Regime name reference
DOMICILIACION TGSS	EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota	Direct debit description

3.2 Regularisation payments (TGSS demands additional cuotas)

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
TGSS REGULARIZACION	EXCLUDE -- RETA regularisation	Additional cuotas demanded after IRPF filing
TGSS COMPLEMENTO	EXCLUDE -- RETA adjustment	Adjustment to provisional base

3.3 TGSS refunds (overpayment)

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
TGSS DEVOLUCION	EXCLUDE -- RETA refund	Refund of excess cuotas
TGSS REINTEGRO	EXCLUDE -- RETA refund	Same

3.4 Tarifa plana payments

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
TGSS (amount ~EUR 80)	EXCLUDE -- tarifa plana cuota	Consistent EUR 80/month = tarifa plana

3.5 Tax authority (NOT RETA)

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
AEAT, AGENCIA TRIBUTARIA	EXCLUDE -- income tax/VAT	Not social contributions
HACIENDA	EXCLUDE -- tax	Not RETA
IVA, IRPF (tax reference)	EXCLUDE -- tax	Not RETA

3.6 Employee social security (employer obligations)

Pattern	Treatment	Notes
TGSS REGIMEN GENERAL	EXCLUDE -- employee SS	Employer's obligation for employees, not the autonomo's own RETA
TC1, TC2 (payroll references)	EXCLUDE -- payroll SS	Employer obligations

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Section 4 -- Worked examples

Six bank statement classifications for a hypothetical Spanish self-employed web developer.

Example 1 -- Standard monthly RETA cuota (TGSS direct debit)

Input line: 30.04.2025 ; TGSS TESORERIA GENERAL ; ADEUDO ; CUOTA AUTONOMOS ABR 2025 ; -425.85 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "TGSS" + "CUOTA AUTONOMOS" (pattern 3.1). Amount EUR 425.85 = Tranche 10 minimum base (EUR 1,356.21) x 31.40%. Monthly RETA cuota for April 2025, debited on last business day of April. Exclude from VAT.

Classification: EXCLUDE -- RETA cuota. 100% deductible as gasto deducible in IRPF.

Example 2 -- Tarifa plana cuota (new autonomo)

Input line: 31.03.2025 ; TGSS ; ADEUDO ; CUOTA TARIFA PLANA MAR ; -80.00 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "TGSS" (pattern 3.1). Amount EUR 80.00 = tarifa plana flat rate. New autonomo in first 12 months. Covers all contingencies.

Classification: EXCLUDE -- tarifa plana RETA cuota. Deductible (EUR 80 x 12 = EUR 960/year).

Example 3 -- Regularisation demand from TGSS

Input line: 25.09.2025 ; TGSS REGULARIZACION ; ADEUDO ; COMPLEMENTO CUOTAS 2024 ; -2,413.54 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "TGSS REGULARIZACION" (pattern 3.2). After 2024 IRPF filing, TGSS determined actual income placed the autonomo in a higher tranche than the provisional base used. This is the additional cuotas demanded. Due by last day of month following notification.

Classification: EXCLUDE -- RETA regularisation demand. Deductible in 2025 (year paid, not 2024).

Example 4 -- TGSS refund (overpaid cuotas)

Input line: 15.10.2025 ; TGSS DEVOLUCION ; ABONO ; DEVOLUCION CUOTAS 2024 ; +1,907.45 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "TGSS DEVOLUCION" (pattern 3.3). TGSS refunding excess cuotas because actual income was in a lower tranche. This is a CREDIT. Taxable as income in the IRPF year received (2025).

Classification: EXCLUDE from VAT. Taxable income in 2025 IRPF (refund of previously deducted cuotas).

Example 5 -- AEAT tax payment (NOT RETA)

Input line: 20.04.2025 ; AGENCIA TRIBUTARIA ; ADEUDO ; PAGO FRACCIONADO IRPF ; -1,500.00 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "AGENCIA TRIBUTARIA" (pattern 3.5). This is a quarterly IRPF instalment (pago fraccionado), NOT a social contribution. Do not classify as RETA.

Classification: EXCLUDE -- income tax. NOT RETA.

Example 6 -- Employer TGSS payment (not autonomo's own RETA)

Input line: 30.04.2025 ; TGSS REGIMEN GENERAL ; ADEUDO ; SS EMPLEADOS ABR ; -2,800.00 ; EUR

Reasoning: Matches "TGSS REGIMEN GENERAL" (pattern 3.6). This is the employer's social security obligation for their employees under the General Regime. It is NOT the autonomo's own RETA cuota.

Classification: EXCLUDE -- employer SS for employees. Not the autonomo's personal RETA contribution.

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Section 5 -- Tier 1 rules

Rule 1 -- Net income formula for tranche determination

Rendimientos netos = Ingresos computables - Gastos deducibles
Rendimientos netos RETA = Rendimientos netos - 7% deduccion generica (3% for societarios)
Monthly net = Rendimientos netos RETA / 12

Rule 2 -- 2025 tranche table (15 tranches)

Tabla Reducida (Tranches 1-3):

Tranche	Monthly Net (EUR)	Min. Base (EUR)	Approx. Min. Cuota (EUR/month)
1	<= 670	653.59	~200
2	670.01-900.00	718.95	~220
3	900.01-1,125.90	849.67	~260

Tabla General (Tranches 4-15):

Tranche	Monthly Net (EUR)	Min. Base (EUR)	Approx. Min. Cuota (EUR/month)
4	1,125.91-1,300.00	950.98	~291
5	1,300.01-1,500.00	960.78	~294
6	1,500.01-1,700.00	960.78	~294
7	1,700.01-1,850.00	1,143.79	~350
8	1,850.01-2,030.00	1,209.15	~370
9	2,030.01-2,330.00	1,274.51	~390
10	2,330.01-2,760.00	1,356.21	~415
11	2,760.01-3,190.00	1,437.91	~440
12	3,190.01-3,620.00	1,519.61	~465
13	3,620.01-4,050.00	1,601.31	~490
14	4,050.01-6,000.00	1,732.03	~530
15	> 6,000.00	1,928.10	~590

Maximum base for all tranches: EUR 4,909.50/month.

Rule 3 -- Contribution rate breakdown (2025)

Concept	Rate
Contingencias comunes	28.30%
Contingencias profesionales	1.30%
Cese de actividad	0.90%
Formacion profesional	0.10%
MEI	0.80%
Total	31.40%

Rule 4 -- Cuota formula

Cuota mensual = Base de cotizacion elegida x 31.40%

Rule 5 -- Tarifa plana

EUR 80/month for first 12 months. Extendable 12 more months if first-year income < SMI. Eligibility: no RETA registration in prior 2 years (3 years if previously received tarifa plana). Must apply at time of alta.

Rule 6 -- Autonomo societario minimum

EUR 1,000/month regardless of tranche. Min cuota: ~EUR 314/month.

Rule 7 -- Payment schedule

Monthly. Due: last business day of current month. Mandatory domiciliacion bancaria. Late surcharge: 10% first month, 20% thereafter.

Rule 8 -- Base change windows (6 per year)

Submit by: end Feb (effective 1 Mar), end Apr (1 May), end Jun (1 Jul), end Aug (1 Sep), end Oct (1 Nov), end Dec (1 Jan).

Rule 9 -- Annual regularisation (automatic)

After IRPF filed, TGSS compares actual vs provisional. Underpayment: TGSS demands additional cuotas. Overpayment: TGSS refunds automatically. Additional cuotas deductible in year paid. Refunds taxable in year received.

Rule 10 -- Tax deductibility

RETA cuotas: 100% deductible as gasto deducible in IRPF. Tarifa plana cuotas: also deductible. Late surcharges and penalties: NOT deductible.

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Section 6 -- Tier 2 catalogue

T2-1 -- Pluriactividad (simultaneous employment + RETA)

Trigger: Client works as employee (Regimen General) and self-employed (RETA) simultaneously. Issue: Must pay into both regimes. Reduction in RETA base may apply if combined contributions exceed thresholds. Potential 50% refund of excess. Action: Flag for reviewer -- case-specific calculation required.

T2-2 -- Autonomo over age 47

Trigger: Client aged 47+ wants specific base election. Issue: Transitional provisions from pre-2023 system may restrict base choice. Action: Flag for reviewer.

T2-3 -- Large regularisation demand

Trigger: TGSS demands significant additional cuotas (estimated tranche far below actual). Issue: Payment due by last day of month following notification. Aplazamiento possible. Action: Flag for reviewer to advise on aplazamiento and whether income estimate was reasonable.

T2-4 -- Mid-year alta (pro-rata)

Trigger: Client registers mid-month. Issue: First month cuota pro-rated from date of alta. Tarifa plana runs from exact alta date, not first of month. Action: Confirm exact alta date.

T2-5 -- Tarifa plana extension rejected

Trigger: First-year income exceeded SMI. Issue: Extension denied. From month 13, full tranche-based cuota applies. Action: Confirm income level and transition to full cuota.

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Section 7 -- Excel working paper template

SPAIN RETA CONTRIBUTIONS -- WORKING PAPER
Client: [name]
Tax Year: [year]
Prepared: [date]

INPUT DATA
  Type:                          [Persona fisica / Autonomo societario]
  Gross annual revenue:          EUR [____]
  Deductible expenses:           EUR [____]
  Net income before deduction:   EUR [____]
  Generic deduction (7%/3%):     EUR [____]
  Net income for RETA:           EUR [____]
  Monthly net:                   EUR [____]
  Applicable tranche:            [____]
  Tarifa plana eligible:         [YES/NO]
  Date of alta:                  [____]

CUOTA COMPUTATION
  Chosen base (min of tranche):  EUR [____]
  Rate:                          31.40%
  Monthly cuota:                 EUR [____]
  Annual cuota (12 months):      EUR [____]

OR TARIFA PLANA
  Monthly cuota:                 EUR 80.00
  Annual (12 months):            EUR 960.00

REGULARISATION ESTIMATE
  Actual tranche (post-IRPF):    [____]
  Actual min base:               EUR [____]
  Difference per month:          EUR [____]
  Annual adjustment:             EUR [____]
  Direction: [DEMAND / REFUND]

IRPF DEDUCTIBILITY
  Total cuotas paid:             EUR [____]
  Deductible as gasto deducible: EUR [____]

REVIEWER FLAGS
  [List any Tier 2 flags]

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Section 8 -- Bank statement reading guide

How RETA payments appear on Spanish bank statements

TGSS direct debits:

• Description: "TGSS", "TESORERIA GENERAL", "SEGURIDAD SOCIAL", "CUOTA AUTONOMOS"
• Timing: Last business day of each month (current month payment)
• Amount: Consistent monthly amount (unless base changed)
• Tarifa plana: exactly EUR 80.00

Regularisation payments:

• Description: "TGSS REGULARIZACION", "COMPLEMENTO CUOTAS"
• Timing: After IRPF filing (typically Sep-Dec)
• Amount: Can be large if tranche mismatch

Refunds:

• Description: "TGSS DEVOLUCION", "TGSS REINTEGRO"
• Direction: CREDIT (incoming)
• Amount: Varies

Key identification tips:

1. RETA is MONTHLY, not quarterly -- look for consistent end-of-month debits
2. EUR 80 monthly = tarifa plana (new autonomo)
3. Amounts around EUR 200-600 = standard tranche cuotas
4. AEAT debits are tax, not social security
5. "REGIMEN GENERAL" debits are employer SS for employees, not the autonomo's RETA

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Section 9 -- Onboarding fallback

If the client provides only a bank statement:

1. Scan for TGSS debits -- identify monthly pattern and amount
2. Identify tarifa plana -- consistent EUR 80/month indicates new autonomo
3. Estimate tranche from cuota amount:
   • ~EUR 200 = Tranche 1
   • ~EUR 300 = Tranche 4-6
   • ~EUR 400-415 = Tranche 9-10
   • ~EUR 530 = Tranche 14
   • ~EUR 590 = Tranche 15
4. Look for regularisation -- large TGSS debit or credit mid-year
5. Flag: "RETA tranche estimated from cuota amount on bank statement. Actual income and chosen base have not been independently verified. Reviewer must confirm before IRPF filing."

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Section 10 -- Reference material

Net income example

Item	EUR
Gross annual revenue	48,000
Deductible expenses	12,000
Net before deduction	36,000
7% generic deduction	2,520
Net for RETA	33,480
Monthly	2,790
Tranche	11 (EUR 2,760.01-3,190.00)
Min base	EUR 1,437.91
Min cuota	~EUR 451/month

Cese de actividad (cessation benefit)

70% of average contribution base of last 12 months. 4-24 months duration. Must have 12 months continuous contribution in prior 24. Voluntary cessation does NOT qualify.

IT (sick leave) coverage

Days 4-20: 60% of regulatory base. Day 21+: 75%. Days 1-3 not covered. Higher chosen base = higher daily benefit.

Test suite

Test 1: Persona fisica, monthly net EUR 2,100. -> Tranche 9. Min base EUR 1,274.51. Cuota: EUR 400.20/month.

Test 2: New autonomo, tarifa plana. -> EUR 80/month for 12 months.

Test 3: Societario, monthly net EUR 800. -> Societario minimum EUR 1,000. Cuota: EUR 314/month.

Test 4: High earner, monthly net EUR 8,000. -> Tranche 15. Min base EUR 1,928.10. Cuota: EUR 605.42/month.

Test 5: Regularisation underpaid: chose Tranche 5 (EUR 960.78), actual Tranche 13 (EUR 1,601.31). -> Additional EUR 201.13/month = EUR 2,413.54/year.

Test 6: Regularisation overpaid: chose Tranche 10 (EUR 1,356.21), actual Tranche 3 (EUR 849.67). -> Refund EUR 158.95/month = EUR 1,907.45/year.

Test 7: Net income calc: EUR 60,000 gross, EUR 15,000 expenses. -> EUR 41,850 after 7%. Monthly EUR 3,487.50. Tranche 12. Min cuota EUR 477.16.

Test 8: Deductibility: paid EUR 4,800 cuotas. -> 100% deductible in IRPF.

Prohibitions

• NEVER compute without knowing persona fisica vs societario
• NEVER use gross income for tranche -- always apply 7%/3% deduction first
• NEVER tell client they can avoid RETA once registered
• NEVER present tarifa plana as automatic -- must apply at alta
• NEVER ignore regularisation
• NEVER advise on pluriactividad without reviewer
• NEVER present cuotas as exact without specifying chosen base
• NEVER confuse monthly payment with quarterly
• NEVER advise late surcharges are deductible
• NEVER compute IT benefits without knowing actual base of month prior to baja

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Disclaimer

This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as an asesor fiscal, gestor administrativo, or equivalent licensed practitioner in Spain) before filing or acting upon.

The most up-to-date, verified version of this skill is maintained at openaccountants.com. Log in to access the latest version, request a professional review from a licensed accountant, and track updates as tax law changes.

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