Government Pavilion, C/ Padre Herrera s/n
Post Office Box 456
38200, San Cristobal de La Laguna
Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Spain
Switchboard Tel.: (+34) 922 31 90 00
Hours: Mon, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Canary Islands Special Zone, REF Deductions and Bonuses: regulatory interpretation
The Canary Islands Special Zone, REF Deductions and Bonuses: regulatory interpretation and tax planning
Overview
This micro-credential equips students to analyze, interpret, and apply the main tax incentives of the Canary Islands Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF), particularly the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), the investment deduction (DIC), and the production bonus. It integrates the study of its regulatory framework, its economic basis, and its practical application, with a performance level corresponding to MECES 2, geared towards strategic tax planning and business decision-making in the Canary Islands..
To enable students to analyze, interpret and apply the main tax incentives of the Canary Islands Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF) —Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), investment deduction (DIC) and bonus for the production of goods— integrating its regulatory framework, its economic logic and its practical operation, with a level of performance typical of MECES 2 oriented towards tax planning and business decision-making in the Archipelago.
- No prior university degree is required. Students who meet at least one of the following requirements may be admitted:
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a Higher Level Vocational Training qualification, preferably in the fields of administration, management, commerce, finance or similar.
- Demonstrate a minimum of two years' professional experience in administrative support tasks, accounting, invoicing, tax management, grant management, or similar functions.
- Having passed other micro-credentials in the field of REF or basic taxation taught by the ULL, the ULPGC or other accredited entities.
Academic program
The microcredit is structured in six parts that address, from an analytical and comparative perspective, the status of the Canary Islands as an outermost region (OR), European policies for these territories, and a comparison with other special tax regimes in Spain. The contents are as follows:
Part I. Analysis and application of the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC)
- Requirements for accessing the ZEC regime: regulatory basis, minimum investment, job creation, domicile and activity
- Tax advantages of the ZEC: reduced rate of 4 % in Corporate Income Tax and exemptions on dividends and capital gains (IRNR), with analysis of their scope and economic effects
- Applied calculation of the taxable base with tax credit: methodology and practical examples
- Compatibility of the ZEC with other REF tax incentives: limits, possible combinations and application criteria
Part II. Analysis and application of the Investment Deduction in the Canary Islands (DIC)?
- Tax deductions in the Canary Islands: an overview and analysis of their regulatory and economic basis
- Deduction for Investment in Fixed Assets (DAF): permitted investments, percentages, limits and obligations, with evaluation of their technical application and business impact
- Application of R&D&I tax credits in the Canary Islands: key points, regulatory interpretation and practical examples specific to MECES level 2
- Tax incentives for culture in the Canary Islands: film, series, performing arts and music, with an analysis of their legal structure and relevance in regional economic policy
- Tax deduction for hiring people with disabilities in the Canary Islands: calculation of tax savings and critical evaluation of its function as an instrument of socio-labor inclusion
Part III. Analysis and application of bonuses for the production of tangible goods (BPBC)
- Objective of the bonus: to support the primary and industrial sectors as instruments of economic diversification
- Subsidized activities: definition and delimitation according to IAE and CNAE
- Calculation of the bonus on the full tax liability in Corporation Tax or Personal Income Tax
- Identification and determination of the net accounting return of the productive activity
- Compatibility and incompatibility with other REF tax benefits (RIC, DIC, ZEC)
- Practical examples of applying the bonus in simulated companies
The training activities to be carried out during the delivery of the micro-credential will be the following:
• Theoretical classes: expository, explanatory or demonstration sessions of the contents and knowledge.
•Practical classes: sessions of practical application of the content developed in the theoretical classes, through the resolution of exercises, problems or theoretical-practical scenarios.
• Seminars, workshops, or other complementary activities (discussion forums, simulations, etc.): monographic sessions that encourage student participation. These are supervised by the course instructors.
• Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student based on the
Documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports…
• Tutoring (individual, group…): activity in which the teaching staff attends to, facilitates and guides one or more students in the training process.
• Assessment: continuous assessment tests and final exams. Tests may be in person or virtual, and may be written, oral, or consist of practical exercises.
All activities will be conducted virtually, combining synchronous and asynchronous sessions on the institutional virtual campus.
The micro-credential will have a continuous evaluation system based on the following tests:
- Objective tests. Test-type questionnaires (true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, ordering, etc.)
- Short answer tests
- Case studies, exercises, and problems
- Attendance, participation or attitude
- Written works and reports
All assessments will be conducted entirely online, using automated quizzes, guided practical exercises, forums, and submissions on the institutional campus. The weighting of each type of assessment will be detailed in the course syllabus at the beginning of the course.
General information
Credits: 3 ECTS
Duration: 18/01/2027 04/02/2027
Teaching modality: Virtual campus and synchronous sessions from Monday to Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Attendance may be assessed up to a maximum of 20% of the scheduled sessions, but is not required to pass the micro-credential. All synchronous sessions will be recorded and available in the virtual classroom.
Location: Virtual Campus of the University of La Laguna
Valued at €333.00
Discounted rate thanks to the aid of the Commissioner of the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands, aimed at promoting participation in training actions on the REF given by the University of La Laguna and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, intended to partially cover the cost of giving the micro-credential.
This micro-credential is part of the Inter-university Certificate of Specific Training in the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands (REF). To obtain the degree, it will be necessary to register and pass the micro-credentials that add up to at least 15 ECTS credits.
Microcredentials mandatory:
- Differential taxation: The Canary Islands as an outermost region and other special regimes (2 ECTS credits). Dates: 12/04/2027–22/04/2027.
- Indirect taxation and the financing of the territorial treasuries of the Canary Islands: IGIC, AIEM and other own taxes (3 ECTS). Dates: 01/03/2027–18/03/2027.
- Investment Reserve in the Canary Islands: Regulatory Interpretation and Tax Planning (3 ECTS). Dates: 16/11/2026–11/12/2026.
- The Canary Islands Special Zone, REF Deductions and Bonuses: Regulatory Interpretation and Tax Planning (3 ECTS). Dates: 18/01/2027–04/02/2027.
- Canary Islands legal framework: legal content of the REF and its economic measures (2 ECTS). Dates: coming soon, in 2027.
Microcredentials electives (you must take at least one of the two):
- Delimitation and control of REF aid and analysis of its contribution to the development of the Canary Islands (2 ECTS). Dates: 29/03/2027–08/04/2027.
- Didactics of the REF for non-university education (2 ECTS). Dates: 10/05/2027–20/05/2027.
Short courses available in various formats (in-person, online, or hybrid). Ideal for learning without interrupting your professional life.
Content created and delivered by professionals and experts in the field, designed for immediate application.
Endorsed by the University of La Laguna. You will receive an official ECTS certificate, valid in the European Higher Education Area.
Teaching staff
Economist and Tax Advisor. Member of the Spanish Association of Tax Advisors.
Economist and PhD in Regional Development, Finance Technician and advisor to the Commissioner of the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands.
A member of the State Tax Inspectorate, with experience in monitoring the application of the REF tax incentives. Currently, he works in the office of the Commissioner for the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands, participating in analysis, monitoring, and dissemination activities.
Full Professor and Director of Analytical Accounting at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). My research focuses on various topics related to the Economic and Fiscal System of the Canary Islands.
Economist, lawyer, and PhD in History. 45 years of independent practice as a tax advisor, researcher, and author of six monographs on the RIC (Reserve for Investment in the Canary Islands) and the work... Origins and evolution of the REF. Director of the REF Chair at ULPGC.
