Portuguese Tax Authority Introduces Automatic Installment Plan for Unpaid Taxes Including IMT
The Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT), Portugal's tax authority, has formally announced the implementation of a new ex-officio installment payment plan. This new regulation is designed for taxpayers who have not completed payment of a tax assessment in full by the official deadline. The government announcement specified that the plan covers a range of taxes, including IRS, IRC, IUC, IVA, and notably, the IMT (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis), the country's property transfer tax. The specific details of what the new regulation entails are that the plan is created automatically by the AT before the initiation of a formal tax execution process. A key feature is that taxpayers can adhere to this payment plan without the need to provide a guarantee. The implementation timeline indicates that the plan becomes available immediately after the voluntary payment period for a tax bill expires. All taxpayers, including individuals and corporations, who meet the criteria are affected by this new legislation. The primary compliance requirements are that the debt must be in the voluntary collection phase and the amount must be €5,000 or less for individuals, or €10,000 or less for companies. The plan allows for up to 36 monthly installments. Penalties for non-compliance are severe; failure to pay any single installment will result in the automatic termination of the plan and the immediate start of a formal tax execution process for the remaining amount owed. The industry reaction has been cautiously positive, with legal professionals noting that this provides a much-needed flexibility for taxpayers facing temporary liquidity issues. The government's rationale is to increase tax compliance by making it easier for taxpayers to regularize their situation without resorting to punitive measures. No related legislation has been announced, but this is seen as part of a broader move towards modernizing tax administration. Resources for understanding compliance are available on the Portal das Finanças, where taxpayers can manage their plans. Navigate Portuguese property regulations with expert guidance at realestate-lisbon.com.