The IES – Simplified Business Information for the 2025 financial year is generally submitted by 15 July 2026 (for entities with a financial year coinciding with the calendar year). It must be submitted exclusively by a Certified Accountant via the Tax Portal. After submission, a fee of €85 is payable for the registration of the financial statements.
The IES: Simplified Business Information - Concept and Strategic Importance
Simplified Business Information (IES), often referred to as the "Annual Declaration", represents a fundamental milestone in fulfilling the tax, accounting, and statistical obligations of companies in Portugal. This declaration reports on the 2025 financial year and, for the vast majority of entities whose tax period coincides with the calendar year, it must be submitted by 15 July 2026. Its importance transcends mere formal compliance, playing a strategic role in the transparency and compliance of organisations.
The IES was introduced with the aim of simplifying the fulfilment of various declarative obligations that were previously handled separately and on different platforms. This centralisation has not only optimised processes for companies and their Certified Accountants (CCs) but has also improved the quality and consistency of the information reported to different public entities.
Only a few weeks remain until the submission deadline. If the accounts have not yet been approved at the General Meeting and the annexes are not properly finalised, it is imperative to act immediately. Procrastination until the week of 15 July can lead to errors, omissions, and consequently, severe penalties.
In a single declaration and electronically, the company fulfils four essential obligations that were previously handled separately:
- Registration of financial statements with the Commercial Registry Office;
- Annual declaration of accounting and tax information to the Tax and Customs Authority (AT);
- Statistical information to the National Institute of Statistics (INE);
- Information to the Bank of Portugal (BdP).
This integrated approach means that a single submission ensures compliance with four legal and regulatory requirements. Failure to submit the IES is therefore not a simple "oversight of a document"; it is a simultaneous non-compliance with four critical obligations, with the inherent legal and financial consequences. The relevance of this declaration is underscored by the fact that the information contained therein is used for various purposes, from assessing the financial health of companies by creditors to the formulation of economic policies by the State.
IES Submission Procedure: Who and How
The submission of the IES is a process that requires rigour and specialised knowledge, and is therefore legally restricted to qualified professionals.
Who submits the IES? The Crucial Role of the Certified Accountant
The IES is submitted exclusively by a Certified Accountant (CC). This legal requirement, established in Decree-Law no. 8/2007, of 17 January, which created the IES, highlights the complexity and responsibility associated with this declaration. The CC is the qualified professional registered with the Order of Certified Accountants (OCC) with the necessary technical knowledge to ensure the correct preparation and submission of the IES, ensuring compliance with current accounting standards (SNC - Accounting Standardisation System) and tax regulations. Their intervention is indispensable, as access to the submission form on the Tax Portal is made through their professional credentials.
How is the IES submitted? Electronic Transmission via the Tax Portal
The IES is submitted exclusively by electronic transmission, via the Tax Portal (www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt). This method ensures the security, integrity, and authenticity of the information, as well as the speed of the process. The electronic form consists of several sections and annexes, which must be completed based on the company's accounting data for the financial year to which the declaration refers (in this case, 2025).
The process involves several stages:
- Preparation of Accounting Information: The CC must ensure that all accounting operations for the financial year are properly recorded, that the annual accounts (Balance Sheet, Income Statement by Nature or by Function, Cash Flow Statement, Statement of Changes in Equity, and Notes) are prepared and have been approved at the General Meeting.
- Completion of the Form: The CC accesses the Tax Portal with their credentials, selects the IES submission option, and completes the fields of the main form and applicable annexes. This completion requires a deep understanding of the declaration's structure and the specificities of each field.
- Validation and Submission: After completion, the Tax Portal system performs a preliminary validation to identify formal errors. Once validated, the declaration can be submitted. It is crucial that the CC carefully reviews all information before final submission, as subsequent rectifications can be more complex and, in some cases, subject to fines.
- Generation of Multibanco Reference: After successful submission, a Multibanco reference is generated for the payment of the financial statements registration fee.
Annexes According to Entity Type: A Matter of Detail
The IES is a modular declaration, meaning that, in addition to the main form, it includes annexes that vary according to the type of entity and the applicable tax regime. For example, Annex A is generally used for commercial and civil companies in commercial form. Other annexes may be applicable to credit institutions, insurance companies, investment funds, etc. The correct identification and completion of the applicable annexes is one of the most critical tasks of the CC, as an error at this stage is one of the most common causes of declarations requiring replacement, generating additional work and potential delays.
Costs Associated with the IES: The Financial Statements Registration Fee
The submission of the IES is not a cost-free process, with the main charge being the financial statements registration fee. This amount is administrative in nature and is intended to cover the costs associated with the public registration of the company's accounts.
After successful submission of the IES on the Tax Portal, a Multibanco reference is automatically generated for the payment of the financial statements registration. The currently applicable fee is €85. This fee was updated by Ordinance no. 217/2020, of 16 September, which amended Ordinance no. 657-B/2006, of 29 June, setting the value at €85, compared to the previous €80.
Payment of this fee must be made within 5 working days after the generation of the Multibanco reference. It is essential that this deadline is strictly adhered to, as the submission of the IES without the respective payment within the established period results in the non-effectuation of the registration of the financial statements with the Commercial Registry Office. Failure to register, as we will see, has serious consequences for the company.
Practical Example of Costs:
A small company, "Soluções Digitais Lda.", submits its 2025 IES on 10 July 2026. After submission, a Multibanco reference is generated for the payment of €85. The company's Certified Accountant informs the manager, who makes the payment on 12 July 2026, meeting the 5 working day deadline. In this case, the direct cost associated with the IES for the company is €85.
If, however, the payment was not made within 5 working days, the registration of the financial statements would not be completed, exposing the company to sanctions and an administrative dissolution procedure.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: Fines and Administrative Dissolution
Non-compliance with IES-related obligations entails a set of sanctions that can have a significant impact on the financial health and very existence of the company.
Fines for Failure or Delay in Submission
Failure to submit the IES, or its submission outside the established legal deadline, is subject to fines. According to the General Regime of Tax Infractions (RGIT), approved by Law no. 15/2001, of 5 June, and its amendments, infractions relating to declarations can be punished with fines varying according to the severity and type of infraction. Specifically, Article 120 of the RGIT, which deals with "Failure to present or late presentation of declarations", establishes fines that can range from €100 to €750. The exact amount of the fine can be influenced by factors such as the company's turnover, recidivism, and whether the infraction was regularised on the taxpayer's initiative or detected by the AT.
Practical Example of a Fine:
The company "Construções Modernas SA" missed the deadline of 15 July 2026 for submitting the 2025 IES. Its annual turnover is €500,000. If the company submits the IES with a 1-month delay, a minimum fine of €100 to €250 may be applied. If the delay is longer and the infraction is detected by the AT, the amount may approach the maximum limit of €750. However, if the company has a turnover exceeding €1 million, the fine may be increased, as provided for in the RGIT.
The Risk of Administrative Dissolution: A Serious Threat
In addition to fines, the most serious and distinctive consequence of IES non-compliance, namely the failure to register financial statements, is the risk of the company being subject to an administrative dissolution procedure. This possibility is provided for in the Commercial Companies Code (CSC), approved by Decree-Law no. 262/86, of 2 September, and its amendments, specifically in Article 142, paragraph d), which establishes administrative dissolution for companies that have not promoted the registration of financial statements for two consecutive years. Decree-Law no. 76-A/2006, of 29 March, regulates this procedure.
The administrative dissolution process is initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, after communication from the Commercial Registry Office, when there is a failure to deposit accounts for two consecutive financial years. This procedure can culminate in the dissolution of the company, with all the implications that arise for shareholders, creditors, and employees. It is not just a financial penalty; it is an existential threat to the company. A company that systematically fails to register its accounts demonstrates a lack of transparency and compliance with its legal obligations, which justifies state intervention to ensure legal certainty in the market.
The IES Cycle: From Approved Accounts to Final Submission
The submission of the IES is the culmination of a process that begins long before the 15 July deadline. It is a cycle that requires planning and coordination between company management and the Certified Accountant.
1. Approval of Accounts at the General Meeting
The first and most fundamental step is the approval of the annual accounts by the General Meeting (AG) of partners or shareholders. This act is a legal requirement and must generally occur by 31 March of the year following the financial year to which the accounts refer (Article 376 of the CSC). However, for companies that present consolidated accounts or that, for exceptional reasons, require more time, the deadline can be extended until 30 June (Article 376, no. 3 of the CSC).
The minutes of the General Meeting approving the accounts are an essential document, as they formalise the validation of the financial management for the year and serve as the basis for completing the IES. Without duly approved accounts, the balance sheet and income statement cannot be considered "finalised" and, consequently, there is no final information to submit in the IES.
2. Preparation and Review of Annexes
After the approval of the accounts, the Certified Accountant proceeds with the detailed preparation of all IES annexes. This phase involves the compilation of tax data (such as the calculation of Corporate Income Tax, as provided for in the Corporate Income Tax Code - CIRC), accounting, and statistical data, ensuring their consistency and compliance with applicable standards.
3. IES Submission by 15 July
Once the accounts are approved and all annexes are completed and reviewed, the Certified Accountant proceeds with the submission of the IES via the Tax Portal, respecting the deadline of 15 July (for entities with a tax period coinciding with the calendar year, as per Article 120 of the CIRC). It is crucial that this submission is made on time to avoid the fines and risks of administrative dissolution already mentioned.
Essential Checklist for IES 2026 Submission
To ensure a smooth submission of the IES 2026 (referring to 2025), the following checklist can be very useful:
Common Errors to Avoid in the IES
The complexity of the IES and the multiplicity of information to be reported can lead to errors. Knowing the most common ones can help prevent them:
- Delay in Account Approval: Not having the annual accounts approved at the General Meeting within the legal deadlines (Article 376 of the CSC) prevents timely submission of the IES. This is one of the most basic, yet frequent, errors.
- Inconsistency between Annexes and Financial Statements: The IES requires that the values reported in the various annexes are consistent with the Balance Sheet and Income Statement. Discrepancies can lead to rejection of the declaration or the need for rectifications.
- Error in Selecting Applicable Annexes: Using incorrect annexes or omitting mandatory annexes for the type of entity is a common error that requires the replacement of the declaration. For example, a commercial company that does not complete Annex A.
- Non-Payment of Registration Fee: As already mentioned, submission without the subsequent payment of the €85 registration fee within the following 5 working days invalidates the registration of the financial statements, exposing the company to administrative dissolution.
- Omission of Relevant Tax Information: Not including all mandatory tax elements, such as those related to the calculation of Corporate Income Tax (Article 120 of the CIRC), can lead to fines and audits by the AT.
- Use of Outdated Filling Software Versions: Although submission is online, some Certified Accountants use support applications for filling. It is crucial to ensure that these tools are updated with the latest version of the IES.
- "Last-minute" Submission: Submitting in the last days or hours of the deadline increases the risk of technical problems on the Tax Portal, which can prevent timely submission, in addition to not allowing room for corrections.
The IES for Different Types of Entities: Specificities
Although the general principle of the IES is simplification and standardisation, there are specificities that must be considered for different types of entities and tax regimes.
Companies with a Tax Period Different from the Calendar Year
For companies whose tax period does not coincide with the calendar year (for example, a period from 1 October to 30 September), the deadline for submitting the IES is different. In these cases, the IES must be submitted by the 15th day of the 7th month following the end of the tax period. For example, if the tax period ends on 30 September 2025, the IES must be submitted by 15 April 2026.
Inactive Entities or Entities without Movement
Even entities that have not recorded any economic activity during the financial year (inactive entities) or that are in liquidation, are generally obliged to submit the IES. In these cases, the declaration is completed with zero values or with an indication of inactivity, but its submission is imperative to avoid fines and the risk of administrative dissolution.
Sole Proprietors with Organised Accounting (Self-Employed Individuals)
Sole proprietors (ENI) who opt for the organised accounting regime are also subject to submitting the IES. For these taxpayers, the IES is particularly important as it integrates the IRS Model 3 declaration, in the part relating to accounting annexes. The information reported in the IES will directly influence the calculation of Category B income for IRS purposes, as per the IRS Code (CIRS).
Non-Profit Entities (ESFL)
Associations, foundations, and other non-profit entities, provided they are subject to organised accounting and have activities that generate income subject to Corporate Income Tax, are also obliged to submit the IES. The specificity lies in the annexes to be completed, which may differ from those of a commercial company, and in the relevance of the information for transparency and accountability to their members and authorities.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Simplified Business Information (IES) is more than a mere formality; it is an essential instrument of transparency, control, and compliance for companies in Portugal. Its timely and rigorous fulfilment is fundamental to avoid fines, administrative dissolution procedures, and to maintain the company's good reputation with public entities and the market.
Ensuring the correct submission of the IES requires advance planning, organised accounting management throughout the financial year, and close collaboration with the Certified Accountant. The experience and specialised knowledge of the CC are invaluable in navigating the complexity of legal requirements, from account approval to the completion of specific annexes.
Do not underestimate the 15 July deadline. Proactive action and organisation are key to avoiding last-minute stress and the potential errors that can arise. Your company deserves the peace of mind of having its tax and accounting obligations up to date.
Call to action: If your company needs support in preparing and submitting the IES 2026, or if you have questions about the procedures and requirements, do not hesitate to contact us. HVR offers a specialised service adapted to the needs of your organisation, ensuring compliance with all legal and tax obligations, with rigour and professionalism. We work so that your company can focus on its growth, with the certainty that its responsibilities are in good hands. Your compliance is our priority.
Frequently Asked Questions about the IES
What is the deadline for submitting the IES in 2026?
For most entities with a tax period coinciding with the calendar year, the IES for the 2025 financial year must be submitted by 15 July 2026. For entities with a different tax period, the deadline is the 15th day of the 7th month following the end of the tax period.
Who can submit the IES?
The IES can and must be submitted exclusively by a Certified Accountant, via the Tax Portal, by electronic transmission, using their professional credentials.
How much does the IES cost?
The direct cost associated with the IES is €85, referring to the financial statements registration fee. This amount is paid via a Multibanco reference generated after the submission of the declaration and must be settled within 5 working days. This value was updated by Ordinance no. 217/2020.
What obligations does the IES fulfil?
The IES fulfils four fundamental obligations: the registration of financial statements with the Commercial Registry Office; the annual declaration of accounting and tax information to the Tax and Customs Authority; statistical information to the National Institute of Statistics; and information to the Bank of Portugal.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the IES?
Failure or delay in submitting the IES can result in fines ranging from €100 to €750, according to the General Regime of Tax Infractions (Article 120 of the RGIT). Even more seriously, failure to register financial statements for two consecutive years can lead to an administrative dissolution procedure for the company, as per Article 142 of the CSC.
Do accounts need to be approved before submitting the IES?
Yes, it is a legal and fundamental requirement. The annual accounts for the previous financial year must be approved at a General Meeting of partners or shareholders, generally by 31 March (or 30 June in specific situations), before proceeding with the completion and submission of the IES.
Sources and Legal References
- Decree-Law no. 8/2007, of 17 January (Creation of the IES and amendment of tax diplomas).
- Ordinance no. 217/2020, of 16 September (Update of the financial statements registration fee).
- Ordinance no. 657-B/2006, of 29 June (Regulation of the IES).
- Corporate Income Tax Code (CIRC), Article 120 (IES submission deadline).
- Commercial Companies Code (CSC), Article 142 (Administrative dissolution) and Article 376 (Approval of accounts).
- General Regime of Tax Infractions (RGIT), Article 120 (Fines for failure to present declarations).
- Personal Income Tax Code (CIRS) (Relevance for sole proprietors with organised accounting).
- Decree-Law no. 76-A/2006, of 29 March (Regulation of the administrative dissolution procedure).