How to file your tax return from your mobile phone step by step

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Filing your tax return no longer means struggling with paperwork or being stuck in front of a computer. Today, you can file your return directly from your mobile phone using the official Tax Agency app and the usual electronic identification methods (Cl@ve, digital certificate, using your electronic ID card on your mobile phone , or reference number). With each tax season, the number of taxpayers switching to mobile filing increases, so it's important to be clear about what you need and what steps to follow.

Throughout this guide, you'll learn how to prepare your phone, how to access Renta WEB, and how to file your tax return step by step, both from the AEAT app and your mobile browser. We'll also review the different payment methods (including Bizum, a recent addition), how to check your tax data, how to manage joint returns or returns with children, and what confirmation messages and alerts you might encounter.

What you need to file your tax return from your mobile phone

The first thing to do is make sure your mobile phone is ready to handle tax matters. To complete the entire process smoothly, you'll need the official Tax Agency app and at least one valid electronic identification method.

Download and update the Tax Agency app

On your Android or iPhone, go to Google Play or the App Store and download the official "Agencia Tributaria" (AEAT) app. It's free, and it's important to check that you have the latest version installed before starting the tax season , as errors are corrected and new features related to income tax are added every year.

Within the app, you'll find a dedicated "Income Tax" section where you can manage the main tasks : view and submit your draft tax return, consult returns from previous years, access tax data, receive notifications, and more. You can also access your tax file directly from this app without needing a computer.

Digital certificate, Cl@ve, electronic ID card and reference number

To identify yourself to the Tax Agency from your mobile phone, you can use several methods. All of them allow you to access Renta WEB, consult tax data, and file your tax return , although the access method varies slightly:

• Digital certificate or electronic ID cardIf you have an FNMT certificate or an electronic ID card, you can also use them from your mobile phone. The most practical way is to install the official FNMT Digital Certificate app, which allows you to request the certificate, save it, and use it directly for online transactions.
• Cl@ve Móvil (Cl@ve)It relies on a dedicated app and the receipt of one-time codes. It's one of the most convenient systems for identifying yourself from your phone, whether by scanning a QR code, confirming the notification in the app, or entering a PIN received via SMS.
• Income Reference NumberThis is a 6-character code that allows you to manage all campaign services (tax data, draft return, filing) even without a digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN. It is usually obtained from the data in a specific box of the previous year's tax return (for example, box 505) or by logging in with a digital certificate, electronic ID card (DNIe), or Cl@ve PIN to generate it.

The Spanish Tax Agency itself explains that the key piece of information for obtaining the reference number is the amount in a specific box of the previous year's tax return . Once generated, you can write it down or save it in the app, and consult it later from your profile within the AEAT application: when you access your user profile, you will see the reference number just below your name.

Review the important dates of the tax return campaign

Before you start filing, it's a good idea to keep the tax return calendar in mind to avoid missing deadlines . The exact dates may vary slightly each year, but the general outline remains the same:

• La tax data query It usually opens in mid-March.
• La request for reference number It is usually available a few days before the official start of the online campaign.
• La filing your tax return online (Renta WEB and app) can be done from the beginning of April until June 30.
• La Telephone support (service “We will call you”) It usually starts a few weeks after the online launch.
• La face-to-face care In offices, it is usually reserved for the final stretch of the campaign.

If you plan to do it from your mobile phone, what affects you most are the online submission dates and the deadline for direct debit (you can usually set up direct debit payments until June 25th, after that you can't).

How to check your tax information from your mobile phone

Before accepting the draft, it's advisable to carefully review your tax information, because if there are errors, you will be ultimately responsible. It's recommended that you access the Tax Agency's online portal from your mobile phone and review all the data they have on file about you before the return is generated.

To do this, open your phone's browser and go to the official Income Tax section of the AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency) website. From there, select the "Tax Data" option and log in with your digital certificate, electronic ID card (DNIe), Cl@ve PIN, or reference number . The system will then display a document showing your income, withholdings, contributions, real estate holdings, etc.

Take some time to check for missing income, incorrectly entered amounts, or deductions you're entitled to, and consult recommendations regarding confidential information . If you find significant errors, note what you'll need to change when you access the draft return or the online tax return portal later. This preliminary review will save you from surprises when you file your return from your mobile device.

How to file your tax return using the Tax Agency app

The Spanish Tax Agency's app allows many taxpayers to file their tax return with literally a single click when the Tax Agency has all the necessary information . In other cases, the app serves as a gateway to the online tax return portal, Renta WEB, where you can make more complex modifications, and then return to the app to sign and submit.

Access and identification in the app

Open the Tax Agency app on your mobile phone and, on the main screen, go to the "Income Tax" section and select the corresponding tax year (for example, "Income Tax 2024" or "Income Tax 2025," depending on the tax year). The next step will be to identify yourself using one of these methods:

• Reference number.
• Electronic certificate or DNIe.
• Cl@ve Mobile.

Once identified, the application will show you the available procedures for the tax year . To begin the process, go to "Procedures" and, within "Income Tax," enter the current tax year and click on the option "Continue with the filing" or "Processing of draft/declaration," depending on the text that appears for that year.

Confirm your tax address from your mobile phone

Before viewing any calculations, the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) will ask you to confirm your tax address . This step is mandatory if you haven't already confirmed it.

• You will see your personal details and your current home address.
• If everything is correct, press on "Ratify".
• If you need to change something (for example, you've moved apartments or the property ownership is incorrect), select "Modify" and update the information.

The property ownership field will display, by default, the information from the previous year. If you select "Tenant," you will need to enter the landlord's tax identification number (NIF). Once the address is confirmed, the app generates a receipt and allows you to tap "Continue" to proceed with the process.

marital status, family unit and authorization of spouse and children

It's possible that the Tax Agency may not have your marital status recorded in your tax information. In that case, the app will ask you to choose between single, widowed, separated, or divorced . If you are married and need to include dependents or ascendants to process joint tax returns, you will need to continue using the online tax return system ( Renta WEB) to complete that information.

If you are part of a family unit and have not selected the option to calculate only your individual tax return, the system will require you to authorize the inclusion of your spouse's and children's income data . This authorization can be granted:

• With the reference for each of them.
• With Individual Mobile Cl@ve, indicating your ID/NIE and the corresponding verification data and confirming from your own app or via PIN by SMS.
• Through seizure (code 100P)which avoids having to ask for the Cl@ve or reference of the spouse or children on that screen, because you already formally represent them.

In the identification data window, you can also add or remove family members , modify relevant personal information, and finalize the family status, which cannot be changed later. When you click "Accept," if any of the taxpayers are not required to file a tax return, the app will notify you in a pop-up message.

Working sessions, available statements, and most favorable option

After identification and confirmation of address, the app will generate or retrieve your tax return session . There you will see the tax returns that the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) has calculated for that family unit.

• Individual declaration of the declarant.
• Individual declaration of the spouse (if there is one and he/she is identified).
• Declarations of children with the obligation to declare.
• Joint modality, if applicable.

The summary will show the result for each option (payment, refund, or zero), whether it's the most advantageous option for the family unit , and whether or not filing is required. From there, you can choose which option you want to continue with, or resume working on a previously saved session.

Additional information and data not included

Depending on your tax information, an intermediate screen may appear notifying you that there is additional information you can automatically include (for example, certain income, contributions, mutual funds, etc.). You will see a column with "Yes/No" boxes to decide which data you want to include in your tax return.

If any data remains untransferred, the application will display a window indicating which specific information has not been included for each taxpayer (for example, certain income or situations where reporting is not required). You will need to manually enter this information in the corresponding section when you access Renta WEB. You can always view the transfer notes from "View tax data" at the top of the page.

Using Renta WEB from your mobile: file your taxes with a certificate, electronic ID card or Cl@ve

When the tax return requires more changes than the "one-click" method allows, the app redirects you to Renta WEB, the Tax Agency's online program . You can use it from your mobile browser or computer, but here we'll focus on mobile access with a digital certificate, electronic ID (DNIe), or Cl@ve.

Access with electronic certificate or electronic ID card

From the AEAT Electronic Office, go to the Income Tax section and select “Draft/Return Processing Service (Direct Income Tax and Web Income Tax)” . On the identification screen, choose “Certificate or Electronic ID” and select the certificate installed on your device or connected via the system you use on your mobile phone.

After identifying yourself, the system will ask if you are acting on your own behalf or as a representative . Once in your file, click on “Draft/Return Processing Service (Direct Income Tax and Online Income Tax)” within “Available Services”.

If you've logged in before, Renta WEB may notify you that a tax return has been saved . You will be able to:

• Recover it with “Continue session”.
• Start a “New declaration” by re-entering all tax data.
• If you have already submitted it, the option "Modify submitted declaration" will also appear to process a correction.

Access with Cl@ve Móvil (with app, without QR code or with PIN via SMS)

Accessing with Cl@ve Móvil works very similarly, but with a few more differences. From the same Income Tax page on the Electronic Office website, click “Cl@ve Móvil” as your access method . An authentication window will open with a verification code, an expiration date, and a QR code.

You have three ways to continue:

• Scan the QR code with the Cl@ve app On your other device or the same one, depending on how you use it. In the app, tap “Scan QR code”, point your browser at the QR code displayed, verify that the code and the organization match, and confirm the authentication.
• Continue without scanning the QR codeTap the option that indicates access without scanning the QR code, enter your ID card or Foreigner's Identity Number (NIE) and the verification information (expiration or issue date for ID cards, support number for NIEs), and follow the instructions. The authentication request will appear on the screen, and the Cl@ve app will display the request for you to confirm.
• Receive a PIN via SMSIf you don't have the Cl@ve app working or prefer this method, wait a few seconds until the PIN access button via SMS is activated. You will receive a 6-digit code on your mobile phone; enter it in the "Access PIN" field and press "Access".

Once you've logged in with Cl@ve, the system will again ask if you're acting on your own behalf or as a representative . You'll then have access to your file, where you can go to "Draft/Return Processing Service (Direct Income Tax and Online Income Tax)." From there, the process is the same as with a digital certificate: you can choose to continue your session, start a new one, or modify the one you've already submitted.

Identifying data, family unit and modifications

If you choose "New return," the first thing you'll see on Renta WEB is the screen for identifying information about the taxpayer and the other members of the family unit . At the top, there's a box to indicate that you only want to calculate the individual return for the taxpayer; if you don't check it and you have family members, the program will also consider joint returns.

On this screen, you can add, modify, or delete family members by double-clicking the boxes or using the pencil (edit) and cross (delete) icons. It is very important to carefully review marital status, children, ascendants, and all other information, as this family situation cannot be changed later.

When you click “Accept,” if any of the taxpayers are not required to file a return, you will see a pop-up notification. Depending on your information, you may also see messages asking you to confirm the inclusion of certain additional information (for example, specific income, mutual insurance funds, etc.), just as you would when accessing the system through the app.

Summary of statements, sections and error validation

After completing your identification details and accepting the inclusion of additional information, Renta WEB takes you to the "Tax Return Summary" . On your mobile device, you will see a breakdown of the different tax return options (joint and individual) with their financial results, and an indication of which is the most advantageous.

From each option, you can download a PDF preview of the return (not valid for submission, it's marked as a draft) to review it in detail. You can also go to "Return Sections" to review each field, check your tax information, and complete or correct it.

Before submitting, always use the "Validate" button to check for errors or warnings . Simple warnings don't block submission, but it's a good idea to read them: if you click "Go to warning," the system will take you to the section where you should review something. Warnings, on the other hand, require you to check the "Read/Hide" box to acknowledge that you've seen the message; if you don't, you won't be able to continue with the submission. Errors, however, require you to correct the indicated field or section before you can proceed.

Payment and refund methods: bank account, Bizum and other options

Once you have your tax return results, it's time to decide how you want to pay (if you owe money) or how you want your refund (if you're due a refund) . You can manage all the payment options offered by the Tax Agency from your mobile phone.

Returnable statements: refund by transfer or waiver

If your tax return results in a refund, you can choose between receiving the money by bank transfer or opting to pay it to the Treasury . By default, the IBAN you used in the previous tax year will be displayed, but you can change it in this step:

• Account in Spain or in an EU/SEPA entityIn most cases, you simply check the IBAN and change it if you wish. Direct debit from accounts at financial institutions within the EU/SEPA zone is also accepted.
• Account with an entity outside the EU/SEPAYou will need to enter all your bank details (account number, bank name, city, address, and country). The SWIFT-BIC field is usually optional, but the rest are required.

If you are not required to file a tax return and have done so anyway, the notifications section may display a message stating that you "are not required to file your tax return ." Even with this notification, you can still file voluntarily if you are interested in receiving a refund.

Declarations to be submitted: direct debit, electronic payments, Bizum and installment payments

When the result shows a payment due, the first thing you need to indicate is whether you want to split the payment into two installments or not . During the direct debit period (until June 25th, in typical campaigns), the default option is usually to pay in two installments, both by direct debit. After that date, the default option is usually to pay in full.

From the app or from Renta WEB you can choose between several payment methods:

• Direct debitYou specify the IBAN to which you want the payment debited. For installment payments, the first installment is debited on the usual end-of-campaign date and the second in November; for single payments, the entire amount is debited on the specified date. Direct debit from an EU/SEPA account is also accepted.
• Electronic payment with account debitThis connects you to your bank's payment gateway or the Spanish Tax Agency's (AEAT) to generate a complete reference number (NRC) immediately. Once the charge is authorized, the NRC is automatically transferred back to Renta WEB to finalize the filing.
• Payment by card or BizumThe online payment platform opens, where you enter your card details or the phone number associated with the Bizum service. It's important to check the Specific limits that each bank sets for Bizum payments to public bodiesbecause if the amount exceeds that threshold, the transaction may be rejected.
• Recover a previous payment (NRC)If you've paid your bank account (either in person or online) and already have a NRC (Reference Number), you can enter it in the corresponding field. If you make a mistake, there are instructions on how to cancel incorrect NRCs, and the field isn't directly editable to prevent errors; to change it, you must return to the "Retrieve a previous payment (NRC)" option or delete its contents using the trash can icon.
• Bank/Cash Deposit DocumentThis generates a document (model 002) that you can print or save as a PDF to pay later at the financial institution. The declaration remains "pending payment" until you make the payment.
• Other payment methodsIn certain situations, you can choose to acknowledge debt with inability to pay, request a deferral, compensation, or other special options, including transfers to accounts of non-collaborating entities.

At any time you can modify the payment method or installment plan from the declaration summary itself, by pressing the "Change" button in the corresponding section ("Payment method" or "Bank account") and saving the changes before submitting.

Filing your tax return from your mobile phone: signature, submission and receipts

Once you've reviewed everything, corrected any errors, and chosen your payment or refund method, only the final step remains: signing and submitting your tax return from your mobile phone . The process is the same whether you use the AEAT app or access Renta WEB through your web browser.

PDF preview and final check

Before clicking the submit button, the application offers you the option to preview the return in PDF format , with the watermark "Draft not valid for submission." Take this opportunity to carefully review the main details: taxable income, reductions, regional deductions, final amount, refund or payment IBAN, account holders listed on the return, etc.

From that preview window, there's usually a link to review your tax information again in case you've missed something. Once you're happy with everything, close the PDF and return to the main screen.

Signing and submitting the declaration

On the submission screen, you will see a summary of the tax return results, the family members included, the corresponding autonomous community, and the relevant bank details. If you select the joint filing option, the system may ask you again for the reference number or Cl@ve identification of your spouse or child, as applicable, even if you are accessing the system with a digital certificate or electronic ID card (DNIe); this is because the reference number is always individual.

To continue, you must check the box indicating you agree with the content of the declaration and click "Submit declaration" (or "Sign and send," depending on the interface). If there are any pending notifications, the system will remind you before allowing you to sign; if you wish to proceed, click "Continue."

Upon confirming the submission, a message will appear indicating that "the submission has been successful" and a Secure Verification Code (CSV) . This CSV allows you to retrieve a copy of your declaration from the CSV document verification service available on the electronic portal. Additionally, a PDF is automatically generated containing:

• An initial sheet with the presentation data (registration number, CSV, receipt number, date and time, presenter data).
• The complete pages with the content of the submitted declaration.

You can view the PDF directly from your mobile device , save it to your computer, or email it to yourself . If you prefer a paper copy, simply print it later; most mobile browsers allow you to print directly from the printer icon or the context menu.

In transactions involving acknowledgment of debt (for example, deferral requests), the response sheet will include a link to "Process Debt ," with the settlement details and settlement code. From there, you can choose between requesting a deferral, offsetting the debt, or making the payment.

If you have already filed your return and access Renta WEB again from your mobile device, in the "File History" section you will see the entry "Recording of your return" with the filing date and a message indicating that your return is being processed. You can also, if necessary, initiate a correction by clicking "Modify filed return."

Thanks to this entire ecosystem (AEAT app, Renta WEB, Cl@ve, digital certificate and new payment methods like Bizum), settling accounts with the Tax Office from your mobile phone has become a fairly manageable process: you just need to have your credentials on hand, carefully review your tax data, understand the payment or refund options and spend a few minutes reviewing the draft before pressing the "Submit" button.