Tax status certificate: what it says and how it differs from the compliance certificate
Two certificates that often get mixed up, explained in a minute.
In a nutshell
- The certificate of being up to date (the "positive" one) says whether you owe the Tax Office anything.
- The census status certificate says how you're registered: activities, address and schemes.
- You may be asked for one, the other or both. Read the call carefully.
The Tax Office issues several certificates and their names are similar. The two most often confused are the certificate of being up to date and the census status certificate.
Certificate of being up to date
It says whether you've filed your returns and whether you have outstanding debts. It's the one you're asked for for grants, public contracts or subcontracting. If everything is fine, it's called "positive".
Census status certificate
It says how you're registered with the Tax Office: which activities and headings, since when, at which address and under which VAT scheme. It's used to prove you're self-employed or registered for a specific activity.
If in doubt, ask. If a call just asks for a "Tax Office certificate", it almost always means the certificate of being up to date. But it's best to confirm with whoever is asking.
Frequently asked questions
Are they requested in the same place?
Yes, both are requested on the Bizkaia Tax Office online portal or at its branches.