Workers to receive IRS adjustment with retroactive pay to January in November
IRS tax rates for income brackets up to the sixth tier will decrease by 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points starting in November. In that same month, workers will receive a lump-sum adjustment covering the retroactive difference in taxes withheld since January.
Why it matters
If you are a salaried worker in Portugal, you will see a slight increase in your net take-home pay from November, plus a one-time retroactive payment for the tax already withheld from your salary between January and October.
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A 50% cut in IRS withholding tax will apply in November to reflect the interim tax reduction passed by parliament, before returning to current rates in December. While this increases take-home pay in November—including the Christmas allowance—tax experts note it will lead to smaller refunds or potential tax bills when filing in 2027, though the gap will be less severe than in previous years. EY simulations indicate that a single worker earning 1,500 euros a month with standard deductions could face a small payment of around 20.90 euros, whereas higher earners or families will still see refunds, such as 102 euros for a single worker earning 2,500 euros or roughly 806.80 euros for a couple with two children earning 4,000 euros each.
The government is lowering IRS (personal income tax) withholding rates, which will be reflected in November paychecks along with a lump-sum adjustment covering the period from January to October. This update coincides with the presentation of the 2027 State Budget, which also outlines pension increases for the coming year.
The Public Finance Council (CFP) warns that the IRS tax adjustments made through special withholding tables in 2026 result in lower-than-intended tax collection, leading to higher tax bills (acertos) for taxpayers when they file their declarations in 2027.