One of the most widespread confusions is to think that pensions do not pay taxes. Yes, they do. Public pensions are considered employment income. That is, they pay taxes just like a salary, with their corresponding withholdings.
The difference is in the amount and in the personal situation of each retiree. When is a retiree obliged to file income tax
Here enters the key rule that marks the entire campaign:
- Up to 22,000 euros: if there is a single payer
- From 15,000 euros: if there are several payers
And this second point is the one that generates more problems.
Many retirees have more than one payer without knowing it:
- Pension + Supplement
- Pension + Widowhood
- Pension + Aid
And that completely changes the obligation.
The most frequent case: two payers without knowing it
It is one of the patterns that repeats the most every year.
People who:
- Believe they have a single pension
- But in reality receive two distinct incomes
The result: they become obliged to declare without expecting it
How much a retiree pays in IRPF
There is no single figure. It depends on several factors:
- Amount of the pension
- Family situation
- Autonomous community
- Applied withholdings
But there is something that is common: the higher the pension, the greater the retention and the greater the impact on the declaration
The most common error: to think that the pension “is already adjusted”
Many retirees assume that the Treasury has already made the correct calculation. But that is not always the case.
In some cases:
- Withholdings are low
- The declaration comes out to pay
and the surprise arrives
What to review before submitting the income tax return
To avoid problems, there are three basic keys:
- Check if there is more than one payer
- Review the withholdings applied
- verify possible deductions
It is a simple review, but it makes the difference.