Deep Dive – Portugal’s Stamp Duty Requirements

Michael Carlton
June 8, 2022

This blog was last updated on June 9, 2023

The most recent update to the Portuguese Stamp Duty system has included some of the most comprehensive tax reporting changes seen in recent years. Stamp Duty is the oldest tax in Portugal and has been around since the Royal Decree in 1660. Considering its age, updates to bring it in line with the global standard of tax reporting were much needed. Although the tax rates within Portugal have remained unchanged, the reporting process to incorporate the provincial liabilities within one return has been greatly appreciated.

Portuguese Stamp Duty – Required information

The additional information that insurers are obliged to collect, disclose and submit in their Stamp Duty Declaration is as follows:

  • Territoriality: The precise location the risk has been issued from (i.e., within or outside Portugal)
  • Insured name (Tax ID): The policyholder’s tax ID
  • Insured country code: The policyholder’s country code to which the tax ID resides
  • Location of the risk insured in Portugal: The postcode to which the contract relates, due to the requirement by the Portuguese authorities to file Stamp Duty on a provincial level, or at least whether the risk is located in Mainland Portugal, Azores, or Madeira.

Negative impacts of Portugal’s stamp duty reporting changes

It’s important to note that the ability to offset taxes relating to previous periods has been revoked by Law Decree no. 119/2019, which allowed insurers to report reduced tax amounts for overpaid liabilities. The modifications to the reporting procedure enable companies to amend previous periods through their internal system. Consequently, this permits adjustments to prior periods and the reclaiming of overdeclared liabilities directly from the Portuguese tax authority. It is our understanding that reclaims will be reimbursed to the client two months after an amended return is submitted.

How can Sovos help with reporting?

Sovos has developed a unique relationship with the Portuguese tax authority, allowing for comprehensive reporting between Sovos systems and the Portuguese API. The reporting procedure can confirm validated IDs to ease data validation and reporting. This collaborative process has allowed Sovos to provide our customers with a smoother and more fluid submission process for Stamp Duty reporting.

Take Action

To understand more about Portugal’s Stamp Duty and how it impacts your IPT compliance, get in touch with our team of experts.

Learn more about the latest rates, rules and regulation of Insurance Premium Tax in our e-book, IPT Compliance – A Guide for Insurers.

Sign up for Email Updates

Stay up to date with the latest tax and compliance updates that may impact your business.

Author

Michael Carlton

Michael joined Sovos in early 2018, primarily focusing on territory submissions for a vast range of allocated territories. Since then, he has become somewhat of an expert for processes especially in Portugal. A core part of Michael’s role as a Compliance Services Representative is reviewing client data to ensure compliance with tax authority deadlines and legislation requirements.
Share this post

North America Sales & Use Tax
February 6, 2025
The Tariff and Sales Tax Mishmash – Untying the Mess

This blog was last updated on February 6, 2025 Talk of tariffs dominates the current news cycle with some commentators suggesting that tariffs will spell disaster for our economy while others say the exact opposite. We’ve seen the stock market sometimes fluctuate as tariffs are announced but later suspended, leaving us to wonder whether an […]

retailer dtc wine shipping
North America ShipCompliant
February 6, 2025
Retailer DtC Wine Shipping: The Time Has Come

This blog was last updated on February 6, 2025 By Tom Wark, Executive Director, National Association of Wine Retailers We are often reminded by the media and those in the wine industry—as well as by wine enthusiasts—that the three-tier system of alcohol distribution in most states hinders consumer access to the expansive number of wines […]

Montana 1099-DA
North America Tax Information Reporting
February 5, 2025
State Filing Alert: Montana’s New 1099-DA Requirements for Crypto Brokers

This blog was last updated on February 5, 2025 Reporting digital asset transactions on Form 1099-DA just got a little more complicated. For 2025 transactions, crypto brokers that file Form 1099-DA with the IRS will be required to file the 1099-DA with the State of Montana. This makes Montana the first state to introduce a […]

North America ShipCompliant
January 23, 2025
DtC Wine Shipping in 2024: A Year-in-Review

This blog was last updated on January 28, 2025 The direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping channel faced a storm of challenges in 2024, navigating some of the toughest market conditions in over a decade. As inflation tightened wallets and consumer behaviors shifted, the industry recorded its steepest declines in shipment volume and value since the inception […]

Form 1099-DA Crypto Transactions
North America Tax Information Reporting
January 21, 2025
What is Form 1099-DA and How Does it Impact Crypto Transactions?

This blog was last updated on January 24, 2025 The IRS has released Form 1099-DA and its accompanying instructions for filing for TY 2025. Form 1099-DA is the newest IRS information return, designed for reporting digital asset proceeds from broker transactions and is required to be filed by brokers managing digital assets such as NFTs […]