Reduced income tax withholding in November 2026 will lead to lower IRS refunds in 2027
A 50% reduction in IRS withholding tables for November 2026 will result in smaller tax refunds for workers and pensioners when they file their tax returns in 2027. Projections suggest some taxpayers may end up owing more than 2,000 euros to the tax authority.
Why it matters
If you are a worker or pensioner in Portugal, the reduction in your tax withholding in November means you will have more disposable income this year, but you should prepare for a significantly smaller refund or a potential tax bill when filing your 2027 returns.
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To start a home business, you must first register as an independent worker via the Portal das Finanças using the correct activity code (CAE or CIRS). Non-EU citizens must ensure their residency permit allows independent activity. While purely digital work often requires no specific property license, businesses involving physical production or customer visits may require specific authorizations, such as the 'Sistema de Indústria Responsável' (SIR) and DGAV registration for food businesses. Residents who rent their home must check their lease terms for compliance.
The Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) welcomed the Socialist Party's petition to the Constitutional Court for a subsequent review of Law No. 34/2026, enacted on 27 July, which amends the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Regulation on Court Costs. The Bar argues that the law compromises the core of defense guarantees under Article 32 of the Constitution, and while the law has been in force since 1 September, they are urging the court to rule with urgency to resolve doubts about its constitutionality.
On Friday 16 October, Parliament approved in the generality bills from the PS and Chega to strengthen maternity protection for high-performance athletes, professional sportswomen, and national team members. The PS bill introduces a monthly IPDJ allowance equivalent to the Social Support Index (IAS) for 360 days following childbirth, guarantees the maintenance of athletic status and financial support, counts the period as active career time, and sets fines between 500 and 50,000 euros for non-compliant clubs. The Chega bill extends IPDJ support up to 120 days for high-performance athletes without a sports contract and extends professional contracts by another season if pregnancy occurs during the final year. Parliament also approved an IL bill recognizing guides for athletes with disabilities as high-performance sports agents and raising the annual IRS exemption limit for non-professional training grants to 2,910 euros, alongside resolutions recommending broader federation-level protections and breastfeeding support.