Inheritance Tax deadlines in the Balearic Islands (ISD)
In the Balearic Islands, the general deadline to file the Inheritance Tax (ISD) return is six months from the date of death, with the option to request an extension if it is done in time. Understanding the timeline and preparing the documentation properly helps avoid surcharges, interest and future issues, especially when the estate includes several properties or complex situations.
General deadline and extension for ISD in the Balearic Islands
The ordinary deadline to file the Inheritance Tax return in the Balearic Islands is 6 months from the date of death. This can be a relatively short period when the estate includes several properties, bank accounts, shareholdings or family businesses.
Within the first 5 months from the date of death it is possible to request an extension. If the request is filed correctly and in time, the tax office may grant additional months to file the return, which provides extra time to organise the estate.
Indicative timeline
- Day 0: date of death (the tax becomes chargeable).
- Months 0–5: period in which an extension of the ISD deadline can be requested, if needed.
- Month 6: end of the ordinary deadline if no extension is requested.
- Month 6–12 approx.: extended period if the extension is granted (depending on the relevant decision and regulations).
What happens if the ISD deadline is missed?
If the return is not filed and no extension is requested within the legal deadlines, any later regularisation may involve surcharges, late-payment interest and even penalties, depending on the circumstances and on whether the tax office initiates a verification procedure.
- Filing as soon as possible, even after the deadline, usually reduces risks compared to waiting for an assessment from the tax office.
- Thorough documentation of the estate and the family situation helps justify reductions and reliefs.
- It is advisable to coordinate the ISD filing with other taxes, such as the municipal capital gains tax on real-estate transfers.
Basic documentary checklist for inheritances in the Balearic Islands
To reach the six-month deadline (or the extended deadline) with peace of mind, it is advisable to work with a clear checklist from the very beginning:
- Certificates: death certificate, last will certificate, birth and, where applicable, marriage/registered partnership certificates.
- Title to the succession: will or intestate succession deed.
- Real estate: deeds, up-to-date land registry extracts, property tax (IBI) receipts and cadastral reference values.
- Bank accounts and financial products: bank certificates, funds, deposits, shares, plans, life insurance, etc.
- Debts and liabilities: mortgages, loans, documented debts and deductible expenses with supporting evidence.
- Kinship and residence: documents proving the conditions required to apply Balearic regional reductions and reliefs.
A well-prepared file makes it easier to apply Inheritance Tax reliefs in the Balearic Islands (ISD) and other tax advantages with confidence, avoiding last-minute mistakes.