nokfiVAT to offset (IVA a compensar)
When you paid more VAT on expenses than you charged on invoices in a quarter, the Spanish tax office does not refund it straight away: you carry it forward to the next quarters.
Updated October 2026
When it happens
It is common when you start (you buy equipment and invoice little), in slow seasons or after a large investment.
How it is used
It is subtracted from the result of your next form 303. Example: you have €400 to offset in Q1 and would owe €1,000 in Q2: you pay only €600.
You have four years to use it. If there is still a balance in the last quarter of the year, you can keep carrying it forward or ask for a refund.
The refund
You request it on the fourth-quarter form 303. The tax office has six months to pay; after that, it owes you interest. For monthly refunds, you can join the monthly refund register (REDEME), but then you file VAT every month.
Estimate for the general regime (mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands). It does not replace professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I carry VAT forward?
Four years from the return in which it arose.
Can I ask for a refund in any quarter?
No, only in the last quarter of the year (unless you are in REDEME).
What happens to VAT to offset if I deregister?
You can request a refund of the remaining balance in your final return.