Lithuania Tax Return 2026: Deadline, Refunds & How to File

Lithuania’s State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) is preparing for the annual income and asset declaration period, with a key date of February 15th looming for businesses and institutions. While individual taxpayers will be able to submit their declarations starting in early 2026, a crucial step precedes that process: ensuring all income and expense data is accurately reported to the VMI by employers, banks, and other relevant entities.

Data Verification is Key

Martynas Endrijaitis, Deputy Head of the VMI, emphasized to Lrytas news portal that individuals should not rush to file their returns. Instead, they should first verify that all necessary information regarding their income and expenses – including life insurance premiums, pension contributions, and tuition fees – has been submitted to the VMI by third parties. This verification must be completed by February 15th.

According to Endrijaitis, submitting a declaration before all data is received from these sources could necessitate corrections later on. “If a resident submits a declaration before third parties have submitted all data about their income and expenses, the submitted declaration may need to be amended once that data is received,” he stated.

Did You Know? The deadline for organizations to submit income and expense data to the VMI is February 15th, impacting the accuracy of individual tax returns.

Refunds and Penalties

Taxpayers who overpaid their income tax (GPM) in the previous year can claim a refund by submitting an annual income tax declaration through the Electronic Declaration System (EDS). The VMI confirms that a correctly completed and timely filed declaration automatically serves as a request for a refund, eliminating the need for a separate application.

Refunds are disbursed to the bank account specified in the declaration by July 31st of that year, and are processed randomly, regardless of the submission date. Conversely, if a declaration reveals an underpayment of income tax, the outstanding amount, along with any applicable penalties, must be paid by May 2nd of the following year.

Penalties for late payment begin accruing the day after the May 2nd deadline, calculated daily on the unpaid amount.

Expert Insight: The staggered timeline – with third-party data submission preceding individual filing – highlights the VMI’s focus on data accuracy and minimizing the need for post-submission corrections, potentially streamlining the overall tax process.

Filing Options

The VMI offers several resources to assist taxpayers in preparing their declarations. The quickest method is through the EDS, accessible via computer or smart device. Step-by-step guides are available on the VMI’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvdEei33I_ExWllQ0eYyVw).

Further information can be found on the VMI website (https://www.vmi.lt/evmi/deklaruoti-pajamas) in the section dedicated to income and asset declarations. Taxpayers with questions can contact the VMI by phone at +370 5 260 5060, or request a callback through the Mano VMI portal. In-person assistance is available by appointment only, scheduled through https://vmi.nemo-q.se/Booking/Booking/Index/vmi.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can individuals begin submitting their income and asset declarations?

Individuals can begin submitting their income and asset declarations starting in early 2026.

What happens if I submit my declaration before all my income data is reported to the VMI?

If you submit your declaration before all income and expense data is received from third parties, you may need to amend it once the missing information is submitted.

How will I receive a tax refund if I am due one?

Refunds will be transferred to the bank account specified in your declaration by July 31st of that year, and are processed randomly, regardless of the submission date.

Considering the importance of accurate data submission, how will you ensure all your financial information is correctly reported to the VMI before filing your tax declaration?