If you are a freelancer or SME involved in buying and selling second-hand products, antiques, or art objects, it's essential to understand the Special Scheme for Second-Hand Goods (REBU). This voluntary VAT scheme can lead to significant tax savings but requires strict control over your operations.
What is REBU and Who Can Apply for It?
REBU is a special VAT scheme designed for resellers of certain goods. Its main advantage is that it allows you to pay VAT not on the total sale price, but only on the profit margin earned in each transaction.
To apply the REBU, you must be a reseller, and the goods you trade must be:
* Second-hand goods: Items that have already been used and are suitable for further use as they are.
* Works of art: Paintings, sculptures, engravings, etc.
* Antiques: Items over 100 years old.
* Collector's items: Stamps, coins, and other items of philatelic or numismatic interest.
A key condition is that you must have acquired these goods from someone who could not charge or deduct VAT on that transfer. Typically, this includes purchases from private individuals, professionals who also used the REBU, or businesses under exempt schemes.
How is VAT Calculated under REBU?
There are two ways to determine the taxable base on which you will apply the general VAT rate (21%):
1. Transaction-by-transaction basis: This is the most common method. The profit margin is calculated by subtracting the purchase price from the selling price (VAT included in both). The taxable base will be this margin, and the VAT to be paid is extracted from it.
* Margin Formula: `Profit Margin = Selling Price - Purchase Price`
* VAT to be paid: `Profit Margin x (21 / 121)`
2. Global determination: Applicable only to certain low-value goods. A global margin is calculated for the entire settlement period (quarterly or monthly) by subtracting total purchases from total sales.
Invoicing and VeriFactu Obligations
Invoicing under REBU has important peculiarities. On the sales invoices you issue, you must not break down the VAT amount. Instead, you must include a specific mention, such as: "Special scheme for second-hand goods".
This is crucial because your customer will not be able to deduct the VAT from that purchase. However, you are still obliged to pay it to the Tax Agency.
With the arrival of new invoicing systems, these obligations remain. Even if you do not break down the VAT, your invoices must comply with all the requirements of the new system. If you want to learn more about this change, you can consult our guide on [What is VeriFactu? Guide for Freelancers in Spain](/en/what-is-verifactu-spain).
Remember that adapting to verifiable invoicing systems will be mandatory. According to the current deadlines, companies must comply by January 1, 2027, while freelancers and micro-enterprises will have until July 1, 2027. For more details on the timeline, we recommend reading our article on [VeriFactu 2027: Deadlines for Freelancers in Spain](/en/verifactu-2027-deadline).
Opting for REBU is a strategic decision that requires keeping specific record books and exhaustive control. Analyze whether it is the most profitable option for your business and ensure you comply with all formalities to avoid issues with the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT).