The countdown to the annual reckoning with the State has begun. To ensure that you receive the maximum refund and avoid unnecessary fines, experts at DECO PROteste, the largest consumer protection organization in Portugal, warn of the importance of following the tax calendar strictly.
Many taxpayers believe that the Automatic IRS resolves everything independently, but the truth is that the system still requires a careful eye from the citizen. A small error in checking invoices or forgetting an intermediate deadline can result in hundreds of euros lost in deductions that, due to lack of validation, end up being ignored by the Finance algorithm.
The IRS process is not just about submitting the document in April. There are fundamental steps that must be taken in the coming weeks so that your health, education or housing expenses are properly accounted for by the Tax Authority.
February: The month of invoices and household
The first major deadline ends on February 15th. By this date, you must confirm whether your household has undergone changes in the last year, such as the birth of a child or a divorce. It is also the limit for communicating long-term rental contracts.
Soon after, on February 25th, comes the most famous deadline of all: the validation of invoices on the E-fatura portal. If you have expenses pending or in the wrong categories, this is the last opportunity to ensure that every euro spent counts towards your tax deduction.
March: Complaints and solidarity
Between the 16th and 31st of March, you can consult general family expenses and invoices with VAT benefit that were calculated by Finance. If the values presented do not correspond to reality, this is the right time to complain to the Tax Authority.
March is also the month to decide who you want to help. Until the 31st, you can choose an entity to assign 0.5% of your IRS. This gesture has no cost to the taxpayer, since the amount is taken from the tax that the State receives and not from your pocket.
April to June: Delivery of the declaration
The official period for submitting the income declaration runs between April 1st and June 30th. Regardless of their income category, all taxpayers have this three-month interval to submit documents electronically.
If you choose the Automatic IRS, always check that all data is correct before accepting the declaration. If you have dependents or more complex tax situations, manual submission remains the only way to ensure you don’t miss out on important benefits.
July and August: The final verdict
After submitting the declaration, the State has until July 31st to send the settlement note. It is on this date that you officially find out if you are entitled to receive a refund or if you will have to pay additional tax to the State.
Finally, if you have IRS to pay, the deadline is August 31st. If you are entitled to receive it, it is also until this day that the money must enter your bank account. Keeping this calendar close by, as recommended by , is the best way to face tax season with peace of mind.
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