Santa Cruz de Tenerife Delays New Waste Tax Collection Amid National Regulatory Shift

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has addressed recent reports regarding a new waste tax, highlighting the friction between local authority and national legal requirements. While residents are currently receiving notifications about the tax, the council confirmed that payments will not be collected until between September and November. This delay is intended to ease the administrative burden and give families more time to arrange installments or address any issues with their bills.

This new tax stems from Law 7/2022, a national regulation focused on waste and contaminated soils. The law requires municipalities to restructure their tax rates, basing costs not just on how much waste is produced, but also on factors like property value and household size. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez has voiced his opposition to these rules, noting that the city has practiced fiscal restraint for 15 years, a policy now being disrupted by this external mandate.

To help soften the financial impact, the local government is developing a subsidy package for vulnerable households and those affected by logistical factors, such as their property's distance from collection points. Finance Councilor José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez explained that the tax will not be automatically charged—even for those with other taxes set to direct debit—because the significant change in the tax structure requires an individualized notification for every resident.

To encourage easier payment in the future, the city is offering a 5% discount for those who set up direct debits for the 2027 fiscal year. In the meantime, the City Council encourages taxpayers to visit its official website or offices for accurate information on deadlines and procedures regarding this mandatory national tax.