TAX RETENTION
If the seller of your Gran Canaria home abroad happens to be a non-resident, then the Spanish Tax Retention of 3% will have to be paid to the Spanish Inland Revenue Department by the purchaser (you) within 30 days of signing the deed.
This is Spain's way of protecting itself from non-residents that sell their Spanish property then skip the country, perhaps before settling any pending income tax owed to Spain. After all, the seller just made a big sale. Keep in mind that the seller can claim this money back if it turns out that there are no taxes due. Again, this only applies to non-residents, as Spanish sellers will be making their normal tax returns.
Without a doubt, you are beginning to understand that, when you buy through Gran Canaria Holiday Rental, details such as tax retention will be a matter for us to work out for you. We will make all of the arrangements in cooperation with your Spanish property attorney. We guarantee to make the purchase of your new Spanish home aboard as seamless as possible.