The Tax Agency has launched operation 'Insulae' with over 170 officials to inspect 41 real estate intermediary offices in six autonomous communities. Investigations focus on undeclared cash payments and illegal commissions to tenants.
The Tax Agency has initiated operation 'Insulae', a comprehensive inspection effort aimed at detecting tax fraud in companies engaged in the buying, selling, and renting of properties. The operation is taking place in six autonomous communities and affects 41 offices spread across 12 provinces.
More than 170 officials from the Inspection Area, supported by the Units of Computer Audit and the Customs Surveillance Service, have participated in this coordinated intervention, marking the start of inspections on 49 companies and entrepreneurs, as well as 18 individuals linked to them, including partners, managers, and family members.
Previous complaints and suspicions of cash payments
The operation was carried out following the analysis of various complaints received by the Tax Agency that alerted to possible irregular practices, such as the collection of undeclared cash commissions and other behaviours susceptible to tax fraud.
Among the practices under investigation are the collection of cash commissions that may not have been declared, the receipt of allegedly irregular amounts — such as certain commissions to tenants prohibited by the Housing Law — as well as income obtained from complementary services, such as reports, property visits, or other management tasks, which also may not have been included in tax declarations. Additionally, the complaints refer to the possible payment of incentives or bonuses to sales staff outside official payrolls.
Six communities under scrutiny
The operation has been deployed in establishments located in Andalusia (7), the Balearic Islands (1), the Canary Islands (4), Catalonia (5), the Community of Madrid (5), and the Valencian Community (19). The latter has the highest number of inspected offices, reflecting the intense activity of the real estate market on the Mediterranean coast.
The actions occur in a context of sustained growth in the real estate market, marked by an increase in sales, rentals, and housing prices. According to sector data, real estate agencies currently participate in around 70% of property buying and renting operations in Spain.
Asset investigation of partners
The Tax Agency has also analysed the asset situation of some partners of the inspected companies to detect possible external signs of wealth incompatible with declared income. The aim is to verify whether the alleged hidden sales or undeclared income have resulted in unjustified increases in wealth.
During the entries made at the inspected offices, officials have obtained accounting documentation, auxiliary records, and information stored in computer systems that will be analysed over the coming months. The investigation is in its initial phase, and it is expected that the checks will extend over several weeks.
For readers interested in the real estate sector, this operation serves as a warning: the Tax Agency is closely monitoring transactions and commissions. Buyers and tenants must ensure that agencies issue invoices for all services, and property owners must correctly declare rental income. The Tax Agency reminds that citizen complaints are a key source of information for uncovering fraud.
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