Tax base

In tax terms, the tax base constitutes the amount on which a specific tax is obtained. In other words, to obtain the tax rate (the tax to be paid) it is necessary to previously calculate the tax base. On this tax base, the corresponding tax rate will be applied to obtain the aforementioned tax rate. For example, if the shoes (VAT included) cost 121 euros and the applicable VAT (tax rate) is 21%, it means that the tax base is actually 100 euros. And to those 100 euros (taxable base) the tax is applied (21%).

For simplicity, it can sometimes be read under the acronym BI. B for base and I for taxable (BI).

Tax base units

Normally, it is expressed in monetary units, although on some occasions it can also be expressed in physical units. An example of the latter case would be the following: let’s imagine that a certain State establishes that for each solar panel 1 monetary unit has to be paid as a tax. In this case, the tax base would be constituted by the number of solar panels (that is, it would be expressed in physical units).

• Monetary units: Expressed in currency. In this section we can include personal income tax (personal income tax), VAT (value added tax) and IS (corporation tax).
• Physical or non-monetary units: In this section we can include the tax on hydrocarbons, taxes on pollution or alcohol and beverages derived from it.

How to calculate the tax base?

How to obtain the BI will be determined by the law of each tax (as we will see below). However, three general methods of how to calculate the tax base can be established:

1. Direct estimation method

It consists of obtaining the tax base through the real data of the taxpayer or obliged to pay the tax. That is, it is accounted for through real data in accounting books, administrative records or legal documents. This method is the most widely used and the most accurate. For example: if it is determined that the BI of the Corporation Tax is the profit and a company presents a profit of 1000 physical units, this amount will be the BI. In the income tax of an employed person, it is necessary to add their monetary earnings and subtract the deductions for income perception and the BI is obtained.

2. Objective estimation method

It consists of obtaining the tax base through magnitudes, modules and ratios that allow to extract an average tax base objectively, regardless of the actual data. For example, in a computer company, we can estimate the number of employees or the number of computers hired.

Let’s imagine that the Corporation tax law establishes that the tax base is obtained by objective estimation: for each square meter of surface, 10 monetary units must be added to the tax base and for each employee hired, 50 monetary units must be added to the tax base. tax base. The company in the previous example is a restaurant with 100 square meters and 5 employees: it will have a tax base of 1,250 monetary units (1,000 for the area and 250 for the employees), even though it has presented a profit of 1,000 monetary units. As we can see, this tax base is independent of the actual data of the restaurant’s profits.

3. Indirect estimation method

In this case, the tax base is calculated by the Tax Administration, through duly reasoned expert reports.

It only applies when neither of the two previous methods can be used because the administration cannot adequately determine the taxable base due to the fact that the taxpayer does not present any declaration or that there is a lack of information in the accounting books of the company. company. In this way, in the absence of updated data, the administration can use relevant data from the past for its calculation, elements that prove the existence of goods such as the company’s sales or obtaining information through magnitudes of nearby or similar taxpayers.

Calculation of the tax base in the main taxes

The three main taxes that all States have are: Income Tax (for individuals), Corporation Tax (for legal persons) and Value Added Tax. Although the legislation of each country may establish another calculation, the tax base is usually obtained as follows:

• The first two (Income Tax and Corporation Tax) are direct taxes. The tax base constitutes all the income obtained by the natural person (in Income Tax) and all the benefits obtained by the legal person (in Corporation Tax). To this BI, certain reductions or deductions that the legislator allows are usually applied to obtain the final taxable base or taxable base.
• The Value Added Tax (VAT) is an indirect tax levied on consumption. Usually the tax base is the consideration for the product consumed, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, the BI must be added or subtracted from certain concepts that are not included in the consideration (transport, discounts, insurance, etc). Finally, the buyer will pay the corresponding consideration and the value added tax, which is calculated on the tax base (and not on the consideration).

Example of calculating the tax base in VAT

A tobacco company imports cigars from Cuba.

The cost of tobacco is € 50,000.

In addition, € 15,000 in customs taxes and € 10,000 in tobacco have been paid.

The amount paid and the indirect taxes levied on the acquisition, except for the VAT itself and the registration tax, do not form the taxable base of the tax.

The tax base will be € 75,000 (50,000 + 10,000 +15,000)