Reminder: SUMA (Council Tax) Is Now Due

What Every Costa Blanca Property Owner Needs to Know About the IBI Window

It is that time of the year again. Between 27th July and 8th October, property owners across the Costa Blanca are required to pay their annual municipal property tax, universally known locally as “Suma.”  

Known officially as the IBI (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles), this local tax is roughly equivalent to UK Council Tax or municipal property taxes found elsewhere in Northern Europe. It covers the full calendar year from January through December and funds essential local services, from street lighting and refuse collection to local infrastructure and policing.  

How Your Payment is Handled

Depending on how you have set up your financial affairs in Spain, paying your SUMA bill typically falls into one of two categories:

• The Direct Debit Route: If you have already set up a domiciliación bancaria (direct debit) with SUMA, you don’t need to lift a finger. Payment is automatically pulled from your Spanish bank account between late September and early October. Just ensure your account has sufficient funds to avoid any returned-item fees from your bank.  

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• Manual Online Payments: If you do not have a direct debit in place, you will need to settle the bill manually. You can easily pay online using a credit or debit card through the official portal at suma.es. The website features a full English language option, making it quick and stress-free to navigate. You will simply need your property’s specific payment reference number from your notification letter.  

  
  

What Happens If You Sell Your Property?

If you are currently in the process of selling your property, or planning a move later this year, how does the IBI work?

Under Spanish law, the IBI liability for the calendar year officially sits with whoever owns the property on January 1st. However, standard practice during a property sale in Spain is to pro-rata and split the tax between the buyer and seller at the time of completion at the Notary, ensuring a fair distribution based on the exact months each party owned the home.

Furthermore, having an up-to-date, clean SUMA payment record is vital. During the due diligence phase of any sale, the buyer’s lawyer will request proof that all local taxes have been paid. Staying on top of your deadlines ensures your transaction flows smoothly toward the final signing without unnecessary administrative delays.  

Don't leave your local taxes to the last minute. Check your paperwork, log onto the portal if needed, and keep your property in perfect standing!

📞 Get Expert Support for Your Property Journey

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📧 Email: sales@homes4u.es or sales@SellingOrihuelaCosta.com

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